An Examination of a Feral Honeybee Colony for Parasites: 1
All photos copyright 2001, David L. Green Unauthorized use prohibited
October 14, 2001, Stuckey, SC
Colony entrance via a knot
The colony is located in a cabin on a hunt camp near Hemingway, SC. According to the owner, the bees have inhabited this wall for several years. In my experience, this is not an absolute guarantee that the colony has been continuous, as the colony can die out over winter and then be renewed by a swarm in the spring. But the appearance of the brood comb indicates several years of brood rearing. Had there been interuption, it is likely that we could see wax worm damage and/or fresh rebuilt comb.
The owner offered the colony to me, indicating that they were going to be removed, one way or another. I would have preferred to take the colony out in spring, when survival chances would be much better. But I have transferred them from their wall location into a hive. Winter is only about six weeks away, and the bees are going to have to hurry to get their new home organized.