There are not many folks that would go to the trouble of doing what you did for free!!!
I hope they were at least grateful you tried??!!
At least you know that you did all you could and you can now concentrate on your own bees!!
Well done for trying but usual result. I have a zero tolerance to any bees inside cavities and give them numbers of pest control people to deal with it. Even then I've had grief from people who expect me to come out for free and sort their problems out.
Well done for trying Steve!
I have also learned that there are times when you just have to say no.
I've also had people wanting me to remove bees/bumblebees/whatever because the council won't do it (any more) and the caller didn't want to pay for someone to remove the insects. So pest removal for free! To be fair, most people are either worried about them or want to 'help the bees.'
Regardless of my wasted time and effort i managed to to go through the trap out hive today while putting it into a Abelo Poly brood box..much to my surprise the swarmed Queen from the shed roof that i clipped and marked is still alive and well..the box is full of bees and look like they will go into winter well prepared..
A positive from a negative but all looks good..