In
Florida, Honeybee Colonies often establish themselves as “exposed”
colonies. Evidently, Survival rates are excellent even when exposed to the
elements. Mites, which pose a serious threat to honeybees, have difficulty
clinging to these units as many fall to the ground and cannot reenter the
colony.
The above colony has engineered a
beautiful set of yellow combs. When bees forage on the nectar of Brazilian
Pepper Plants ( extant in Tampa Bay ), this coloration is produced. The
honey is lemon colored and used in many bakery products.
Live removal involves smoking the bees
away from the combs, attaching the combs within a wood frame, and then
shaking the bees onto the frames of combs.