Beemagedon: The End of the Road to Cornville

Previously we set up the first site in Cornville (Site2a) and explained our strategy. Now we will set up the second Site2b and experience "Beemagedon" as we put live bees in the release tubes.

We placed the main box with six 8x12 habitats and the release tubes according to this map, along with eight 8x6 'blue boxes' in peripheral locations.

Site2b Map of Main Box and Peripheral Locations

Here are a few of the blue box locations about the site.

Now that we have placed all the habitats it is time to put the bees (cocoons) in the PVC release tubes and place them at the centrally located main box.

When we checked the bee trays, many of the bees had already emerged from the cocoons and were very active. We decided to refrigerate the trays to slow down the released bees.

After about an hour of refrigeration, we were ready to place the cocoons/bees into the release tubes. Before we show you that video, let us say that this is not the preferred method of placing BOBs for release. It also shows that we are willing to appear as "fools" for this research project.

Thanks to Howie for capturing this great moment on film.

Now that we have loaded the tubes we distributed two to Site2a and two to Site2b.

Corneville Site2a-Bees Ready to Bee Released

And then we released the bees at the other Cornville location, Site2b.

We also placed a temperature and humidity data logger at each of these two sites.

Temperature and Humidity Data Logger at Cornville Site2a

Temperature and Humidity Data Logger at Cornville Site2b

So we have places ~2,000 bees and 28 habitats consisting of 1,920 tubes at the two sites in Cornville, Arizona.

Next; on to our third site in Payson, Arizona where we will also meet 'the giant pumpkin people'.