Honey Bee Services

Tough Year

Richard Luther — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:16:16 +0000

It has been a tough year for the Bees in Western Pa. I have talked to many Bee Keepers who have lost many of their colonies due to the weather. The good news is that it has also been a good year for swarms. I traved to South Western Pa and picked up a swarm in Carmichael, Pa. I have also had luck in the local area gathering swarms.

I am going to a friends House and taking a colony out of his basement and also looking at a colony in an apartment building in Greensburg, Pa.

I plan to get more into Commercial pollination next year so if you are looking for Bees give me a call.

Dead Hive Condition

Robb Luther — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:24:27 +0000

When you are trying to get rid of nesting bees (Honey Bees in particular) it is very important that the removal is done properly. Dead Hive Condition results when a honey bee hive is destroyed with pesticides and the remains of the nest left behind.

This results in fermenting honey that will attract other insects, rodents and can even cause structural damage to your home.

Hornet Removal In Waterford

Robb Luther — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:18:00 +0000

Yesterday I received a call from a a lady who had a nest of Hornets in a pear tree. She asked me how to get rid of these unwelcome guests on her property, “I think we are going to spray them at night”. Hornet nest are made so they can handle the weather and rain. It can also keep out the spray and if you do this at night you will most likely have some one holding a light for you so you can see where the entrance is. You will get allot of the bees but the ones you don’t get are going to come straight to the light, I wouldn’t want to be the one holding the light.

I removed the nest with all the bees inside which totally removes the problem. I do this with the bees still alive which is not the easiest task to accomplish but it can be done with care and a little luck.

This was a pretty huge nest and will make a very nice display item when I get it completed.

Cost of Hornet removal is based on the location of the nest and the danger involved in the job.

Another successful bee removal!

Yellow Jacket Removal Ligonier, PA

Robb Luther — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:44:46 +0000

There was a large yellow jacket nest built into the garage rafters of a home in Waterford, just outside of Ligonier Valley, PA. The yellow jackets nested in the corner of the garage with the ceiling being pretty low to the ground. The family patio was directly adjacent to the garage, so the sitting area was within five feet of the nest. It was clearly a hazard to anyone on the patio.

We went in at dusk when most of the bees were inactive. A little smoke from the smoker made even most of the workers retreat into the nest. After we were sure all the yellow jackets were in the nest that we could get in there, I douced it with chemicals and cut the nest from the rafters.

All and all it was a good night. We got through the whole job with only two stings.

Greensburg, PA Bee Removal

Robb Luther — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 04:32:46 +0000

Tomorrow I will be extracting a colony of honey bees from a home in Greensburg, PA. I will be able to save these guys and add them to my collection if all goes well. They have nested in the wall of …

Update: I extracted the colony; all went well. They are currently setting in the backyard and being fed well.

SUCCESS: I harvested Honey today and 2 frames came from this colony, you have to remember that it take 70 pounds of honey to fed a colony through the winter and you never want to take to much from them or they will starve before Spring.

Rector, PA Honey Bees Removal from Floor

Robb Luther — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:09:18 +0000

I was called to harvest a colony of honey bees in a Rector, PA home. It took me three hours to find the location of the colony. It turns out then nested under the floorboards on the second story. I had to use scafolding to reach the location. It was a weak hive and after I finally harvested the colony of honey bees, I took them back and combined them with another colony in my apiary (bee yard).

After inspecting the combined colony they seem to be doing well together. There is one queen and 25,000 more bees which is good for a July Swarm. I will get a good harvest in the spring if all goes well.