Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[BaltimoreUrbanBee]

I installed a brand new 3lb package of honeybees in my top bar hive yesterday and all went well. Today, I noticed several carpenter bees swooping around and chasing my honey bees around the hive and vice versa! There is a large volume of honey bees outside the entrance and they seem a bit frantic. I am deeply concerned that this will make my bees aggressive and/or abscond from the hive.

There is not much I can do about it because the carpenter bees are attracted to my neighbor's wooden siding that needs repair- I can't exactly demand that she repair it. The hive cannot be moved from it's current location. What can I do?

[Bugscouter]

Try reducing the size of the entrance. Carpenter Bees like an entrance of at least 1/2 inch. Your bees need at least 3/8 inch. It'll look crowded, but they'll still be able to use the entrance.

[BaltimoreUrbanBee]

[Bugscouter]

Got it. I thought they were chasing around the inside of the hive.

These are probably male carpenter bees. They are territorial and will harass any body or any insect that gets to close to their nest. If the hive can not be moved, then it may be time to set up a carpenter bee trap the way we set up wasp nests. It kinda goes against our philosophy, but this harassment will continue as long as the nest is active. You may have to choose between one bee or the other.

Moving the hive would be a good first choice, otherwise there are a lot of trap plans on YouTube and the rest of the net.

Good luck.

Ron

[BaltimoreUrbanBee]

Thanks, Ron. I probably should have been more clear about where the chasing was taking place, LOL.

It is now day 5 since installation and it appears that the honeybees have won the territorial dispute. The carpenter bees have an invisible line that they do not cross. This is by far one of the most unexpected and interesting things I have witnessed with bees.

I did a little more research and found all the information you talked about (male carpenter bees, bee traps, etc.). You are right- those bee traps look ghastly and I would never resort to using those. The carpenter bees were an awful nuisance, but they definitely do not deserve a slow and cruel death. We need all the pollinators we can get!

Just for the record, my hive cannot be moved unless it is empty. I live in a very urban setting and my hive is on the roof of the 2nd floor addition to my townhouse (a door from the third floor gives me access). We have these kids that like to trespass and my yard is very small. I would have to take the hive through the house and down three flights of stairs just to get it moved to another unsafe location- not ideal! LOL

Things appear to be going very well now. I will be removing the queen cage later today. Wish me luck and thanks again!

-Roy

[Bugscouter]

Glad to hear they worked it out.

Ron