Ventura sprinkler box cutout

Did a cutout of a sprinkler box in ventura today.

[click on the photo's for a larger version]

Warning ! bees at work ;-)

Nice, they have been there for a few weeks.

Everything ready to go.
I didn't even smoke them (to prevent the queen from crawling away)

Almost done cutting the comb

Clear to see the ladies FAN the scent of the comb/queen to the outside world.
Like a big neon sign saying: HERE IS THE PLACE TO BEE .... :-)

Free air hive

I was called to place in ventura where a hive was in a wooden box.
The owners of the property also mentioned another abandoned hive in a citrus tree.

I couldn't believe my eyes:

[click on picture for larger version]

Isn't that beautiful ?

First meeting of the bee club Ojai

I went to the first meeting of the Ojai bee club today.
I was 10 minutes because of a blocked lane on the 101 going North.
I tried to make up for that with speed.
Unfortunately i was in the all electric vehicle which meant I drained the batteries.

The meeting was at a great organic restaurant in Ojai.
Everybody was given the opportunity to introduce themselves and talk what the relation regarding bees was/is.
I think I counted 20+ people (and a nice golden-doodle) :-)
Very informative meeting and I am looking forward to the next one.


When i left after the meeting, I deliberately didn't take the highway but used the 150 via Santa Paula going home. I had to climb 2 hills and both times my dashboard said I wouldn't make it home.

Talk about range anxiety

bee club not far from here !

Got from neighbor an article that I scanned.
The picture is 36 MB in size (HUGE!!!)

[CLICK ON THE SCAN FOR A LARGER VERSION, but it is *HUGE*]

I left a message on their hotline to get in contact with them..
Of course today is 4th of July so they didn't return the call today ;-)

cutout from a small cabinet

Funny that bees also seem to like larger enclosures.
This small cabinet would be harder to defend and to regulate temperature would also be harder than a small cavity.

Anyway, they liked it and setup camp.
The home owners where not afraid but decided it wasn't the best place for them.
I came with an extra suit

Why was she holding a knife here ? :-)

Preparing the frames with rubber bands to get the comb into.

I put the first layer of comb into a frame

The rest was done by her!

She is cutting out another layer of comb

Last piece of comb will be put into a frame.

These were very docile, dark colored bees.
I hope these bees like their new home and will next year become a big hive.