Not every bee removal goes according to plan. A homeowner called us after finding a colony of Apis mellifera scutellata (the African honeybee) in the canopy of a tree. It wasn’t inside a roof or hidden in a wall. The nest was built out in the open, protected only by a thick tangle of branches above it.

That makes it an unusual rescue. African honeybees normally prefer a well-protected cavity, but this colony had decided a tree canopy was good enough.

A Working Hive, Not a Passing Swarm

The colony wasn’t massive, but it was established. Once we got close, we could see brood in the comb, which meant this was a working hive and not just a swarm resting on its way somewhere else.

The Access Problem

The comb was within reach, but the bees wouldn’t necessarily stay that way. The canopy created two problems at once:

• Escape routes: If the bees ran up into the dense, dead branches above the nest, there would be no way to get to them.
• Debris: The brittle branches and leaf litter could easily get sucked into the vacuum, which isn’t good for the bees.

Our plan was to strap the bee vac as close to the hive as possible. A shorter hose meant more controlled suction, and the bees would go into a holding box before we rebuilt their nest in a Langstroth hive.

The Bees Start Escaping the Plan

As soon as the vacuum came in, the bees did what bees often do: they moved away from the disturbance and up above the comb. We had to work slowly enough to protect them, but fast enough to stop the colony from spreading into the branches.

The Comb Reveal

As the comb came out, it was clear the colony had been doing well. Some pieces were filled to the brim with brood, a sign of a busy, healthy queen. The comb itself was beautiful.

Pro Tip: Brood is the future of the colony. The best pieces should never be thrown away. Handle them carefully and frame them into the new hive so the bees have a reason to stay.

Changing the Plan

Even after vacuuming a lot of bees, too many were still climbing into the canopy, possibly including the queen. Rather than forcing a situation that was getting worse, we decided to work with the bees instead.

We rebuilt their nest in the Langstroth box, added the vacuumed bees, and placed the box back in the tree, as close as possible to the original nest. The idea was to give the remaining bees the chance to move in on their own time, and then collect the box once they had settled.

A Bittersweet Result

When we came back two to three weeks later, the box was quiet. When we opened it, water poured out.

After heavy rain, water had got into the box, possibly because it wasn’t sitting at the right angle. The comb was full of mould, and the bees had left. Once a home stops working for them, bees won’t stay.

Real Bee Rescue

It was disappointing. We had hoped to return and collect an established colony. But bee rescue doesn’t always end with a perfect box of bees. Sometimes the best we can do is give the colony a safer option and let the bees decide.

Found a colony in a tree or out in the open in your garden? Get in touch with Bee Sanctuary, and we’ll do everything we can to relocate them safely and humanely.