As can be seen from this series of 3 photos this possum box had become the home for a feral hive that had grown to large for the box. No doubt the hive originally took over
the box as an early season swarm.
Feral Hive in Letter Box
Photo 1 - The letter box with the lid removed.
Photo 2 - Looking inside the letter box where the polystyrene box is located at the base of the column.
Photo 3 - The polystyrene box.
Background
When the letter box was constructed a polystyrene box was used to form up the base of the box and to fill the bottom cavity prior to construction of the top section. This swarm
had entered the letter box and gained entry to the polystyrene box where they constructed their now feral hive.
Photo 4 - The polystyrene box containing the hive.
Photo 5 - A temporary brood box placed on top of the letter box to collect the field bees and bees removed from the polystyrene box.
Compost Bin
The photo on the left shows the compost bin with the lid removed to reveal the feral hive. Comb was built on top of the
compost as well as attached to the underside of the lid.