Bee Saga to Conclusion

The bee saga continued for a week. as the condo buzzed with activity but did not appear ready for removal. The workers stayed active during the day away from the water meter box. 

At night activity quieted down but scouts zoomed anyone who tried to contain the unit for relocation.

And the BEE-t went on.

Robin struggled to get the hive ready to move each night when all of the forager bees returned to the hive. With the darkness and cool weather, the population of the colony "sleeps" inside. They just were not ready to go. During the first move attempt, her husband got stung.  

The next night Robin returned to tackle the project alone. She had information from the bee club about spraying bees with sugar. Half sugar and half water spritzed on the bees causes them to clump and become sedate. They lick the sugar off of each other.  

Robin misted the bees and swept them into a small box. She had to collect this clump of bees because the queen might decide to wait at the entrance ready to swarm and leave the hive. More bees buzzed out because the entrance did not seal. They hadn't received their "bee valium" so Robin had to leave their frenzied activity.

The next night, Robin brought a plastic bag to wrap the hive. She sedated the bees with sugar, moved them out of the way of the opening, and sealed the last opening with duct tape. Then she wrapped the bag around the box and tied it with a rubber band.

Legs filled with pollen

Wearing protective gear, Robin picked up the box and started walking to her open car. With two feet left to go, the box slipped from her hands. She fell to her knees, easing the box's drop to the ground. 

When the box hit, the three sections shifted and the bees began to buzz. Because of a hole in the top of the bag, ripped by the bungie cords while pulling the bag on, and bees went on anger alert.  





Managing to get the box back to the sidewalk, Robin ripped the bag away to free the warrior bees. After another night of frustration, home she went.

Always thinking of ways to solve the challenges, Robin sent a message online to the bee club, offering the hive to a helper. 


She found an aspiring bee keeper with property in Jamul. He arrived Friday night and prepared the bee hive. Then took the bees to their country home.

Hive ready to motor to Jamul.

Bees going cowboy at their Jamul ranch.

Thanks to the heroine of the story - Robin, the Bee Queen!