Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Today we’re tackling a “trap-out” in a massive palm tree. This technique is our go-to when bees are deep inside a living structure that we don’t want to cut open or damage.

A trap-out is a long game—it takes approximately 28 days to complete. Here is how we set it up and what we found when we returned.

The Setup: Engineering the One-Way Exit

The entrance to the colony was located just below a large “bulge” in the palm tree trunk. Since we couldn’t cut into the tree, we used a specialized trap-out cone.

• Safety First: We strapped the ladder to the tree to prevent shifting and used climbing anchors for extra stability.
• The Cone: Ethan stapled a mesh cone over the tree’s entrance. This allows the bees to fly out of the nest, but prevents them from finding their way back in.
• The “Honey Trap”: We attached a 10-frame box right next to the cone. Inside, we placed frames of “wet” honey (frames that still have a bit of honey on them).
• The Psychology: When the foragers return and can’t get back into the tree, they are attracted to the honey scent in our box. They start living there, thinking it’s an extension of their hive. Eventually, the Queen realizes no resources are coming into the tree, she stops laying, and once the remaining brood hatches, she follows the colony into the box.

The 28-Day Wait: Signs of Life

When we returned a month later, we were looking for specific clues:

1. Ant Activity: Seeing ants going in and out of the tree hole is usually a good sign. It means there are no bees left to guard the old nest, allowing ants to move in and scavenge the leftover wax and honey.
2. The Smell of Fermentation: As we got closer, we noticed a strong “alcohol” smell. This indicates that the honey inside the abandoned tree cavity has started to ferment—a definitive sign that no bees are left to maintain the environment.

The Verdict: Success or Failure?

Upon closer inspection, we realized our trap-out cone had actually become flattened over time.

• The Risk: If the cone is flattened, the bees can’t get out, which could lead to the colony dying inside the tree.
• The Discovery: We removed the cone and peered inside. The cavity was completely empty of live bees! While the fermented smell was strong, the “trap” had worked—the colony had successfully migrated to the box before the entrance became too restricted.

Mission Accomplished

We carefully lowered the box (which was heavy with the relocated colony) and prepped it for transport to the apiary. We finished the job by filling the old tree cavity with insulation to ensure no future scouts decide to move back into that “boozy” hole!

Want to see if this “Palm Tree Colony” thrives in their new home?

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Quick Question: If you had bees in a beautiful old tree, would you wait 28 days for a trap-out or would you want them out immediately? Let’s talk about the pros and cons in the comments!