Elvaston Castle Honey Bees
Elvaston Castle is a stately home in Elvaston, Derbyshire, England. The Gothic Revival castle and surrounding parkland is run and owned by Derbyshire County Council as a country park known as, Elvaston Castle Country Park. The country park has 200 acres of woodlands, parkland and formal gardens.
Whilst undergoing renovation works, honey bees that had been in residence for many years were now a risk to contractors who needed to access and replace sections of new roofing. After surveys and many discussions, the decision was made to remove the bees when the colonies were at their weakest. This period is towards winter when fewer bees are present as the Queen reduces the amount of new eggs laid throughout the period where no food will be brought in from workers.
Derbyshire County Council researched local beekeepers advice and methodology on removing bees, but also saving them instead of eradicating them. With thanks to Tony Maggs of The Honey Pot Store in Long Eaton, Mansfield Honey Bees was recommended to take on this task of trying to save the bees.
Following is a picture diary of the removal of two historic colonies removed from the roof space of the Rangers building roof from inside the building using two Beevacs with two Nuk boxes.
The first hole was cut into the plasterboard of the ceiling after locating the colony’s exact place using thermal imaging cameras.
Comb and bees were removed carefully using a Beevac to gently pick up bees whilst cutting the comb. The comb was placed into Nuk boxes where the bees will eventually be reintroduced into once at their new location.
The comb stretched across the beams suggesting it had been in place a fair few years.
Not realising at this stage this massive colony was half the size of the next one 18 feet away in the same roof space. All comb removed a final sweep removing the remaining bees before moving on to the next colony.
This second colony stretched 3 beams with mass amounts of honey stores stashed away for their winter period. The comb stretched across three beams to around almost 7feet.
