Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Today we tackled a classic South African beekeeping scenario: the water meter box. These cavities are notorious for being deeper than they look, often hiding massive colonies in what appears to be a small hole in the ground.

Because we weren’t sure of the exact size, we brought both a 6-frame “nuc” box and a full 10-frame hive. As we always say: you don’t want a big colony in a small box, and you certainly don’t want a small colony feeling lost in a giant 10-frame home!

The Strategy: Hand-Scooping vs. Vacuuming

Lately, we’ve been enjoying the “hands-on” approach. While the bee vac is faster, working by hand allows us to be more surgical.

• The “Top-Down” Method: We started by removing the comb from the top of the meter box. This encouraged the bees to group together at the bottom rather than scurrying into hidden crevices under the pipes.
• The “Red Light” Shift: It was a chilly night, and the bees were starting to get a bit “spicy.” We switched to our red lights to keep them calm and prevent them from flying toward our faces.
• A “Love Tap” through the Glove: I did take one sting right through the glove! It happens to the best of us, but these bees were generally well-behaved for a night removal.

The Reveal: A Powerhouse Colony

Once we cleared the top layers, we realized this colony was much larger than it first appeared.

• Resource Check: We found plenty of pollen and decent amounts of brood, which explains why the population was so dense. Interestingly, there was almost no stored honey—likely because they had just finished using their winter stores.
• The 10-Frame Verdict: The sheer volume of bees made the decision for us. We bypassed the small box and moved them straight into the 10-frame hive. With Spring just around the corner, they’re going to need that extra room to expand.

The Move: Settling In

After a bit of a “thump” to get the last clusters into the box, the bees settled in remarkably well.

• The Jump Start: Since they were low on honey, we provided them with a feeder bottle. This gives them a vital energy boost to start building new comb in their professional hive.
• The Timeline: We started around 6:00 PM and wrapped up just after 8:00 PM. A two-hour removal is a “short night” in our books, and a total success!

Mission Accomplished

From a cramped, damp water meter to a spacious 10-frame home! This colony is now safe, fed, and ready to take on the Spring nectar flow.

Want to see if this water meter colony becomes our top honey producer this season?

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Quick Question: Water meters are one of the most common spots we find bees in Johannesburg—have you checked yours lately? Tell us what you found in the comments!