Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Tonight’s mission was a classic example of why you should always double-check your utility covers. A new colony of African honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata) had decided the underside of a borehole pump cover was the perfect real estate.

Working inside a tight concrete pump housing presents a unique challenge: it’s cramped, dark, and you have to be incredibly careful not to drop debris (or bees!) into the actual borehole.

The Midnight Maneuver

Because African honeybees can be highly defensive, we chose to perform this relocation at night. Working under red lights helps keep the colony calm, as bees don’t perceive red light the same way they do white light, reducing the “aggro” factor.

• The Swing Technique: The lid was long and awkward. We had to carefully lift and swing it away from the pump housing to a solid patch of ground where we could work without risk to the water system.
• The 3-Week Nest: This colony had only been home for about 20 days. They hadn’t filled the entire lid yet, but they had already built a beautiful pattern of brood comb (baby bees).

Spotting the Queen

The highlight of any removal is finding the “Mother of the Hive.” Ethan and I were meticulously vacuuming the workers when we spotted her—a magnificent queen with a long, pointed abdomen.

• The Queen Cage: Once we spotted her near the bottom of the cluster, we safely caged her. This is the “insurance policy” for a successful relocation. If the queen is in the new box, the workers will follow.
• The Brood Transfer: We cut the existing comb to fit our frames. For this job, we tried something a bit different: we placed the framed brood directly into the BeeVac with the bees and the caged queen. This allows them to start clustering and “homing” onto their own nest while we’re in transit to the apiary.

Bee-Proofing the Pump

Relocating the bees is only half the job. If we simply put the lid back, the lingering scent of wax and pheromones would attract a new swarm within days.

• The Insulation Barrier: We added a layer of synthetic ceiling insulation to the underside of the lid. By filling the void and removing the solid surface they like to build on, we ensure this pump cover is no longer a viable nesting spot.

Settling in at the Apiary

Back at the Bee Sanctuary, we moved the frames from the vacuum into a six-frame catch box.

• Right-Sizing: A smaller box is much easier for a new colony to defend and keep warm. As the season progresses and they grow, we’ll move them into a full-sized hive.
• The Release: We released the queen onto the top of the frames. By morning, the workers will have orientated to their new permanent home, far away from the borehole.

The Verdict: No Drama, No Rush

This was a textbook “no drama” removal. By taking it slow and keeping the brood intact, we’ve turned a potential plumbing nightmare into a productive new colony for our apiary. It’s a win for the bees and a win for the homeowners who need their water!

Have you ever found a surprise guest in your utility boxes? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed this late-night rescue, hit the Like button and Subscribe to follow this colony’s journey.