Due to the relocation of a shipping container used by a local company Oom Petes Bees was called to assist in the relocation of a large hive from under a container in order that the container could be safely moved. The hive had been there for many years and was never a bother to the company.

The area under such containers is a very popular place for bees to make their home as it has lots of space to grow into, the container is usually in a secluded spot away from interferences by man or beast, the temperature is pretty constant as the ground and wooden floor provide good insulation from the elements. It is however normally one of the more difficult removal operations, as in order to do a trapout all gaps (access holes) have to be closed off.

In this particular case however, the container was to be moved and forklifts where able to lift the container for access. So in the early evening when the hive was calm, and by crawling under the container a cut- out was

performed - the active comb and honey stores was cut out and placed into frames in a catch box, the queen was successfully taken with and the catch box remained in position for a few days while the colony effected repairs to the comb in their new home using both the remaining wax from their old hive and their familiar material sources from their local and well known foraging ground. The time line for the container relocation did not allow for too long but after a few days the hive was successfully remover to its new home with loads of pollen flowing into the other hives in the apiary. The catch box with colony can be seen here in their new location, with some early morning sun, on tap syrup and surplus wax to assist in the reconstruction process.

These little ladies will also be needing a new larger home by late spring, and will be fed regularly until they have build up their own food stores, and they will only be producing surplus honey for harvest next year. Please help provide these ladies with a new home by donating towards their new full hive.