Free Russian honeybees! They need help!

[Evelyn Gabai]

Hi There: I’m hoping someone will respond by phone or email as I’m not very savvy with message boards. Our situation:

We like bees and want to support them. Two years ago, a swarm took over an abandoned squirrel nesting box on our property. The box is about 1 ½ feet all around in size. We were happy to leave them there. A guy told us they are Russian honeybees. Two days ago, the wind blew the box out of the tree. I managed to right the box and set it on a chair but I don’t have bee equipment and I’m not in great shape so I can’t climb the tree to put the box up there.

Complicating the situation: I just talked to a bee keeper who manages bees for a living and she told me this box is too small for the hive. They do periodically swarm to make room and it may cause trouble with neighbors or the bees could starve etc. She advised proper sized boxes, care etc. Unfortunately, I’m unemployed and can’t afford her services. Is there anyone who would like to have this free hive and care for them properly? Or is there anyone who could at least help me hoist the box back into the tree as I’m guessing improper housing is better than no housing? Or can you please give me another suggestion as to what I should do? Don’t know too much about bees, but I’d like to help them. I’m in the SFV in Van Nuys. My phone: 818-997-1093 email: egabai@dslextreme.com Thanks E. Gabai

[susan rudnicki]

I called Evelyn and left a message—unlikely these are “Russian” bees, but hybrid partially
Africanized ferals, sturdy and disease resistant. Hoping someone in the club in the Valley may take the box home and do a cutout. I will alert Phil Jobe in Topanga. Susan

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