HikeArizona.COM

A branch of a big, old cottonwood at my house in Camp Verde came down. It's full of honey bees and they have been there for more than a week. I can't find anyone to come get them--and I don't want them killed. Does anyone have suggestions?

@fotogirl53
Light a big old smokey fire up wind, wait a few and enjoy all the free honey. ;)

Did you call the county or city?

I don't but the Honey Shop in Pine might know bee keepers who would be interested.

Everyone I've contacted says to get an exterminator to kill them

Either do what Beterarcher says or put the branch and the hive in back of a pick up truck and drive away and throw it in the woods somewhere or carry it away. BUT you have to do at night or very early in the morning because honey bees can't fly when the temperature is under 55 degrees, and they don't fly in the dark, but I could be wrong about the latter statement. I may need a pic of the hive to tell you how I do this, but it doesn't seem too hard to do, unless the branch is huge.

Also, make sure you get this on video.

fotogirl53 wrote:Everyone I've contacted says to get an exterminator to kill them

That's just wrong, considering the sad state bee populations are in in the world today.

If they're Africanized, I would say yes to exterminating. The problem is it's hard to tell unless you have a bee suit and or get attacked. Having encountered Africanized bees (a hive at my house, fortunately I didn't get attacked), and hearing about so many encounters, I would lean towards the safe side and call Orkin.

gummo wrote:Also, make sure you get this on video.

beterarcher wrote:

fotogirl53 wrote:Everyone I've contacted says to get an exterminator to kill them

That's just wrong, considering the sad state bee populations are in in the world today.

In NJ there are legal restrictions on bee control. Unless they're carpenter bees or wasps, you can't just exterminate them. We successfully had bees removed a while back with insignificant casualties. It's probably different in AZ, but there must be similar bee removal specialists.

Try contacting these folks, maybe they'll want them or know someone who does.
http://www.azbaca.org/

http://www.azqueenbee.com/the-queen.html Check with her.. Don't know if she travels far but can't hurt to check...

As of today, the bees have vacated the fallen branch! No killing was needed and they will live to pollinate! My putting a sprinkler on them may have had something to do with their departure.

@fotogirl53 Yay Bees!

Wild Bees need a new home, please

i thought you said Wild Beers

nevermind, carry on.