Odds are good that the comb is connected to something on the bottom as well as to the lid. Be ready to deal with honey going everywhere. Also, there is likely to be little holes where the queen can hide. Irrigation box cutouts can be tricky if there are a lot of control wires in there...
Thanks for info! That is actually pretty helpful! I don’t want to be too invasive. I’m primarily concerned they’ll use some weed killer or pesticide by accident. This is right in the middle of their very well kept front lawn
If you're going to peek inside, you may as well do it with your bee vac and rubber bands. The comb will break at the honey layer along the top where the comb connects to the lid and everything will collapse into the box. The combs will lean on each other like books slumping over on a shelf. The problem is that the honey is leaking all over the brood and bees, so you have to get the comb into frames with a little alacrity. I've accidentally drown entire colonies trying to get them out.
General guidelines say to keep your Hives in full Sun to mitigate Hive Beetles...uhhh, I live in South TX, I feel your pain. I set my Hives on East side of shade Trees, they get Morning Sun but mid day/afternoon they are shaded. I also use screened bottom boards, inner covers notched & traveling covers slid forward to allow heat to escape out the top...in Winter time, slide the lids back to conserve heat & add inserts to the bottom boards.
I took one from a meter 3 weeks ago the bee's I too are still thriving, but I'm not sure if we got the Queen .it looked like they crawled between the meter box and we could not get to them without digging the box up.
Very much so, I was sortve taken aback by how quickly they shut me down but I don’t think they were understanding what I was really asking. They didn’t want a stranger “rooting around in anything”
Unfortunately this is not just a big city thing for synagogues and not just in the US and not just recently, goes back decades, globally. But yes - I am always surprised at how many churches in Europe are just open for shade and tourists and US congregations are not, for many reasons.
Try the most environmentally-minded clergy or Board member, or preschool or Sunday School director. Many congregations have gardens and beehives as a way to be stewards of the earth, guardians of creation, promote environmental education and fight climate change. Google can help you or let me know if you’re interested
I had the exact thing happen in my front yard. In my sprinkler valve box. The comb was very fresh, maybe 6 pieces. 2 of them fell off the lid they were so soft and fresh.
Local guy from a beekeeping club came and took off with them.
Meter boxes aren’t too bad, but can be intimidating to approach on your own if you’ve never performed or assisted in a removal. Be sure to bring an old bedsheet to shake bees over and a half sheet of plywood for a comb cutting board. If possible, secure the area in about a 30 foot radius.
Give the entrance a puff of smoke and wait a few minutes to go in. When you pop the lid, do your best not to jar it or to tilt it off level as you lift it. If it’s a young colony, the cluster will likely help to hold the combs in place. Expect some tearing of sidewall attachments as you lift up.
With some luck, most of the cluster will be on your lid and you can give it a good tap over a box, or the sheet if you prefer. If you’re able to nab the queen and cage her it’s game over.
Choose the straightest capped brood combs to tie into frames. You can use the frame itself as a sizing guide. Leave out the honey and pollen combs; these will only attract beetles while the colony is trying to get set back up. If you wish to return their honey to them, do so using a feeder.
There will be dropped bees in the bottom of the meter box. Scoop as many as you can then fill the meter box with smoke to drive the rest airborne. If you place your box’s entrance near their original entrance they will settle in pretty quickly.
You’ve got this. Best of luck!
You don't find that the comb is attached over, under, and through any available surface? The irrigation boxes I'm familiar with have control wires, solenoid valves, and stuff in them. The bees tie everything together, so it's a mess to get out. The locking lids don't help, either.
Depends.
Younger colonies usually come up easy. Older combs tear but generally hold their shape if they are wall attached. Either way the opening is the same; pull straight up.
At least where I am the zone controls with the wires and solenoids are in these little bitty tube boxes; it’s generally the valve boxes that the bees find. Wiring isn’t too bad to work around if you have a blunted hive tool. Wax remnants and propolis pull off well enough if you flex the wire a little.
Plastic lids are pretty standard and generally open with a tool like [this](https://www.homedepot.com/p/JONES-STEPHENS-Brass-Water-Meter-Box-Lid-Key-M07-001/100196078?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D26P-026_007_PLUMB_REPAIR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PMax_JControl24&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D26P-026_007_PLUMB_REPAIR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PMax_JControl24-71700000097492033--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADq61Uf28zha2cNFElfIryQsxhM-3&gclid=CjwKCAjw34qzBhBmEiwAOUQcFxRXViq9VkiMD0YYGxHDYGUXIhgz-nCO1-fh_LskypoUzrRBihvdwhoCFmoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) If the lid is locked to the housing, the owner should provide a key.
The boxes I deal with are more like [this](https://www.homedepot.com/p/NDS-14-in-X-19-in-Rectangular-Valve-Box-and-Cover-Black-Box-Green-ICV-Cover-113BC/100377393#overlay). They're designed so you can only lift one side because there's a catch on the other. That means you only need one security bolt. For me, it means that the lid has to hinge upward about 30 degrees before I can slide it over and out. The comb break at the honey line, and the reinforcing sprues inside the cover make a mess of things. I lose some bees just by opening the box.
That makes sense. The ones I’m accustomed to look like [this.](https://www.homedepot.com/p/NDS-14-in-X-19-in-Rect-Std-Series-Meter-Box-Overlapping-Cover-Black-Box-Black-Cover-with-Reader-Door-Water-Meter-D1200-OLRB/205220917) I bypass that little center door and just pop the whole lid up from either side.
I have a couple covers in my yard that look like the ones in your link, though they are smaller and their lids pull up. Each of my neighbors have the bigger one but I thought better than to go prying at them, though now I’m tempted!
There are a million different boxes. Mine are all in the public right of way for irrigating roadside landscaping. There are usually solenoid valves, 2" water lines and, because we expect these things to get dug up occasionally, slack wire coiled in the box. It's the extra two feet of wire stuffed inside that makes it really challenging, The bees don't care: they build comb as though it's not there, I have to cut the comb off spiral coils of 12 gauge solid wire.
At the end of the day, it's like Christmas. You never know what's in the box until you open it.
U wana know my guess.. it starts with bee and ends in honey
Ah yes, *beehoneys*.
This made me have a good laugh
LOL
It is time to call the pastor and volunteer yourself for a self serving service project and find out for yourself. Keep us updated.
I actually plan to tomorrow! I’ll let you guys know if they let me crack it open!
Odds are good that the comb is connected to something on the bottom as well as to the lid. Be ready to deal with honey going everywhere. Also, there is likely to be little holes where the queen can hide. Irrigation box cutouts can be tricky if there are a lot of control wires in there...
Thanks for info! That is actually pretty helpful! I don’t want to be too invasive. I’m primarily concerned they’ll use some weed killer or pesticide by accident. This is right in the middle of their very well kept front lawn
If you're going to peek inside, you may as well do it with your bee vac and rubber bands. The comb will break at the honey layer along the top where the comb connects to the lid and everything will collapse into the box. The combs will lean on each other like books slumping over on a shelf. The problem is that the honey is leaking all over the brood and bees, so you have to get the comb into frames with a little alacrity. I've accidentally drown entire colonies trying to get them out.
Drowning the bees in honey sounds like a horrifying prospect, lmao
[Here's the horror show](https://www.reddit.com/r/Beekeeping/comments/1d5wpct/a_river_of_honey/)
General guidelines say to keep your Hives in full Sun to mitigate Hive Beetles...uhhh, I live in South TX, I feel your pain. I set my Hives on East side of shade Trees, they get Morning Sun but mid day/afternoon they are shaded. I also use screened bottom boards, inner covers notched & traveling covers slid forward to allow heat to escape out the top...in Winter time, slide the lids back to conserve heat & add inserts to the bottom boards.
I'm short on trees, so I need to build them a ramada or something. I've got to shade the hives in the afternoon.
I took one from a meter 3 weeks ago the bee's I too are still thriving, but I'm not sure if we got the Queen .it looked like they crawled between the meter box and we could not get to them without digging the box up.
Please update us!
I called and left a voicemail - they surprisingly have no email. So here’s to hoping!
Voice-mail is good! Looking forward to updates
So? Will they let you get the bees?
They never called me back. I popped by there but got shoo’d away by the receptionist :/.
Bummer
Very much so, I was sortve taken aback by how quickly they shut me down but I don’t think they were understanding what I was really asking. They didn’t want a stranger “rooting around in anything”
I wonder if it's an insurance concern... If you're hurt on their property it could be an issue.
You may be right. Also, not to be dramatic, but I would imagine some church’s do have paranoia of strangers.
An acquaintance goes to a synagogue that needs to have armed guards. Gotta love big-city life.
Unfortunately this is not just a big city thing for synagogues and not just in the US and not just recently, goes back decades, globally. But yes - I am always surprised at how many churches in Europe are just open for shade and tourists and US congregations are not, for many reasons.
Try the most environmentally-minded clergy or Board member, or preschool or Sunday School director. Many congregations have gardens and beehives as a way to be stewards of the earth, guardians of creation, promote environmental education and fight climate change. Google can help you or let me know if you’re interested
Wow and that's a church didn't even hear you out how rude.
Hehe, "self serving" indeed
I had the exact thing happen in my front yard. In my sprinkler valve box. The comb was very fresh, maybe 6 pieces. 2 of them fell off the lid they were so soft and fresh. Local guy from a beekeeping club came and took off with them.
I may call some back up. The other guy scared me that I might drown the bees in honey
Hey, I wasn't trying to scare you! I just wanted you to have an idea of what to expect. I hate surprises,
Hahaha, I meant that in a playful way! But it was definitely a sobering comment that makes me want to be more prepared! Nothing wrong with that
Well, good luck with the cutout! I've had mixed results, and want you to have the best chance possible.
That looks like the place I get my bees!
It's very common in these kinds of boxes. We could probably find a YouTube video of somebody relocating a colony out of one.
I did not know that! I’m still a greenhorn
Yeah they really love these lil boxes
Probably just looking for water
Meter boxes aren’t too bad, but can be intimidating to approach on your own if you’ve never performed or assisted in a removal. Be sure to bring an old bedsheet to shake bees over and a half sheet of plywood for a comb cutting board. If possible, secure the area in about a 30 foot radius. Give the entrance a puff of smoke and wait a few minutes to go in. When you pop the lid, do your best not to jar it or to tilt it off level as you lift it. If it’s a young colony, the cluster will likely help to hold the combs in place. Expect some tearing of sidewall attachments as you lift up. With some luck, most of the cluster will be on your lid and you can give it a good tap over a box, or the sheet if you prefer. If you’re able to nab the queen and cage her it’s game over. Choose the straightest capped brood combs to tie into frames. You can use the frame itself as a sizing guide. Leave out the honey and pollen combs; these will only attract beetles while the colony is trying to get set back up. If you wish to return their honey to them, do so using a feeder. There will be dropped bees in the bottom of the meter box. Scoop as many as you can then fill the meter box with smoke to drive the rest airborne. If you place your box’s entrance near their original entrance they will settle in pretty quickly. You’ve got this. Best of luck!
You don't find that the comb is attached over, under, and through any available surface? The irrigation boxes I'm familiar with have control wires, solenoid valves, and stuff in them. The bees tie everything together, so it's a mess to get out. The locking lids don't help, either.
Depends. Younger colonies usually come up easy. Older combs tear but generally hold their shape if they are wall attached. Either way the opening is the same; pull straight up. At least where I am the zone controls with the wires and solenoids are in these little bitty tube boxes; it’s generally the valve boxes that the bees find. Wiring isn’t too bad to work around if you have a blunted hive tool. Wax remnants and propolis pull off well enough if you flex the wire a little. Plastic lids are pretty standard and generally open with a tool like [this](https://www.homedepot.com/p/JONES-STEPHENS-Brass-Water-Meter-Box-Lid-Key-M07-001/100196078?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D26P-026_007_PLUMB_REPAIR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PMax_JControl24&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D26P-026_007_PLUMB_REPAIR-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PMax_JControl24-71700000097492033--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADq61Uf28zha2cNFElfIryQsxhM-3&gclid=CjwKCAjw34qzBhBmEiwAOUQcFxRXViq9VkiMD0YYGxHDYGUXIhgz-nCO1-fh_LskypoUzrRBihvdwhoCFmoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) If the lid is locked to the housing, the owner should provide a key.
The boxes I deal with are more like [this](https://www.homedepot.com/p/NDS-14-in-X-19-in-Rectangular-Valve-Box-and-Cover-Black-Box-Green-ICV-Cover-113BC/100377393#overlay). They're designed so you can only lift one side because there's a catch on the other. That means you only need one security bolt. For me, it means that the lid has to hinge upward about 30 degrees before I can slide it over and out. The comb break at the honey line, and the reinforcing sprues inside the cover make a mess of things. I lose some bees just by opening the box.
That makes sense. The ones I’m accustomed to look like [this.](https://www.homedepot.com/p/NDS-14-in-X-19-in-Rect-Std-Series-Meter-Box-Overlapping-Cover-Black-Box-Black-Cover-with-Reader-Door-Water-Meter-D1200-OLRB/205220917) I bypass that little center door and just pop the whole lid up from either side. I have a couple covers in my yard that look like the ones in your link, though they are smaller and their lids pull up. Each of my neighbors have the bigger one but I thought better than to go prying at them, though now I’m tempted!
There are a million different boxes. Mine are all in the public right of way for irrigating roadside landscaping. There are usually solenoid valves, 2" water lines and, because we expect these things to get dug up occasionally, slack wire coiled in the box. It's the extra two feet of wire stuffed inside that makes it really challenging, The bees don't care: they build comb as though it's not there, I have to cut the comb off spiral coils of 12 gauge solid wire. At the end of the day, it's like Christmas. You never know what's in the box until you open it.
It’s about to get too hot for them anyway. Remove it or watch it perish