Well, I jiggled the log a little and blew into it and got nothing. No buzzing at all. Which meant there was nobody home, and all the bees I'd seen around in the day were scavengers.I rang the guy's doorbell and told him. That's when I found out that the branch came down a year ago. So of course there were no bees in there. Nor honey, I'm sure. It's all been scavenged.
I wrapped a sheet around it anyway, and the guy helped me put in the car. I was able to carry it into my yard myself. A big section of comb was loose. I brought it in the house to look at it.
There was one bee on it, a straggler from some other hive. I put her back outside. 
The honeycomb can be used to lure a swarm into a beehive or keep it there. I could also make candles with it. It smells divine.
That honeycomb is so beautiful. But I'm so sad that your hopes of a 2nd colony were dashed. Did I tell you that your experience inspired me to read "Bee Hive: The story of the Honeybee and Us" by Bee, ha! for real!, Wilson. Very interesting book, although there's very little in it about someone doing exactly what you're doing: tending to a colony.
ReplyDeleteThat honeycomb is so neat! And I had no idea that bees couldn't fly at night. Thank you for a new piece of trivia!
ReplyDeleteI love your bee adventures.
ReplyDeletePam, I haven't heard of that book. I'll look for it. Most of what I've read about bees (aside from the funny old-timey book I bought) has been online. Glad to be an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI don't feel sad not to have more bees. I really just wanted the comb! It is very attractive to bees, so I will use it as a lure in a regular hive.
Summer, at night and under 50 degrees. I originally thought moving bees or capturing a swarm would be easier at night, but they will assume you are a bear or other predator.
Thanks, Rooie!