Bees in the loft
Discussion
My neighbour popped round last night to tell me that he'd noticed a lot of bees entering/leaving our roof around where the stench pipe exits.
Having had a look (from outside) it appears he's right and it does look quite busy up there.
Assuming that when I get into the loft at the weekend that there is some sort of hive in there, what's the best way to get rid?
I've had a quick Google and it seems that bee keepers will only be interested if they're honey bees. If they're not, can I just nuke them with a can of RAID?
I've got a faint memory that they're protected, but I can't find anything confirming this.
Cheers.
Having had a look (from outside) it appears he's right and it does look quite busy up there.
Assuming that when I get into the loft at the weekend that there is some sort of hive in there, what's the best way to get rid?
I've had a quick Google and it seems that bee keepers will only be interested if they're honey bees. If they're not, can I just nuke them with a can of RAID?
I've got a faint memory that they're protected, but I can't find anything confirming this.
Cheers.
If they are bees and there are lots they will be honey bees.
Even if they are bees they can be too difficult to get at in a loft for a beekeeper to remove.
Whatever they are to eradicate is very simple. Go up at night when they have stopped flying. Pour about a teacup of petrol on the nest. The fumes kill them, all dead by morning.
Don't worry the idiots will be along soon with all sorts of stupid suggestions.
Even if they are bees they can be too difficult to get at in a loft for a beekeeper to remove.
Whatever they are to eradicate is very simple. Go up at night when they have stopped flying. Pour about a teacup of petrol on the nest. The fumes kill them, all dead by morning.
Don't worry the idiots will be along soon with all sorts of stupid suggestions.
Stuck my head in the loft last night to take a look and I couldn't really see much evidence of them. There were a couple of bees (defo not wasps) crawling down the outside of the pipe, but I couldn't see any sign of a nest/hive. I need to have a bit more time up there to pull the insulation back and have a proper look though. Trouble is it's right in the eaves of the roof so, if there is a nest, I'm going to be getting quite up close and personal with it!!
Assuming that doesn't reveal any horrors, I think the best plan might be leave it until autumn when they all die off, then just fix the flashing and tiles where the pipe exits the roof to ensure that they can't return next year.
Thanks folks.
Assuming that doesn't reveal any horrors, I think the best plan might be leave it until autumn when they all die off, then just fix the flashing and tiles where the pipe exits the roof to ensure that they can't return next year.
Thanks folks.
Honey bees won't die off over the winter unless a weak colony. Where are you? If in NW Kent I know someone who could have a look if they are accessible. Otherwise try local Beekeepers association or ask local police and they will tell you who to ring (should be free if just removing them as they can flog swarms on or use them).
if they are honey bees that are within the loft then i doubt you will find a beekeeper to remove them as it usually requires building works to get to them.
You will not find a pest controller to kill them as if they use a powder to kill them they have to by law ensure that no other bees can get to the killed colony as other bees will smell out the honey and rob that and kill their own colony. also with just killing it off you are still left with all of the comb which next year a swarm could easily move striaght into.
So the best way to get rid of is either try adn remove them and save the colony by giving them to a beekeeper or kill them off and then physically remove the dead bees and the comb etc.
Where abouts are you???
You will not find a pest controller to kill them as if they use a powder to kill them they have to by law ensure that no other bees can get to the killed colony as other bees will smell out the honey and rob that and kill their own colony. also with just killing it off you are still left with all of the comb which next year a swarm could easily move striaght into.
So the best way to get rid of is either try adn remove them and save the colony by giving them to a beekeeper or kill them off and then physically remove the dead bees and the comb etc.
Where abouts are you???
Accessibility is going to be the issue. The pipe is right in the corner of the eaves/gable end, so there's not a lot of room to work.
My other thought last night was maybe they've nested in the wall cavity that the pipe runs through up from the bathroom below, which is why I couldn't see it. Really hoping that's not the case as the bathroom was only re-fitted last year, so I don't really want to be going in through the wall
I'm assuming that, whatever type of bee it is, the colony will grow larger the longer it's left unattended to?
BTW, I live just off M1 J24, so not really local for Kent
My other thought last night was maybe they've nested in the wall cavity that the pipe runs through up from the bathroom below, which is why I couldn't see it. Really hoping that's not the case as the bathroom was only re-fitted last year, so I don't really want to be going in through the wall
I'm assuming that, whatever type of bee it is, the colony will grow larger the longer it's left unattended to?
BTW, I live just off M1 J24, so not really local for Kent
If they're honey bees the majority of the colony will die off in the autumn, leaving just a nucleus of bees to head into the winter and all being well survive into the spring when they start building up the colony again. If they get too cold or run out of food they will all die off over the winter. They'll probably all die off if it's a mild winter - they won't be dormant and will start to use up their food resources too soon so there won't be enough to see them through the winter. A lot of beekeepers will feed the bees around Christmas/New Year to make sure they have food to last until spring.
If you've only just noticed them they are probably a swarm from a local beekeepers hive/apiary as there aren't that many truly wild honey bee colonies around. A quick Google should point you towards your local beekeeping association but it may be that the bees are now settled and have started to build comb. At this point it's difficult to get all the bees - even if you can get to them.
A new swarm is easy to handle if you can get to them - they're very docile as they fill up on honey before swarming and this has the same effect on them as a large Sunday meal does on us. They've also no brood or food to defend so are usually quite happy to hang around whilst scouts go out looking for a new home.
I went out to a house in a similar position a few weeks ago. The bees were in a cavity in the wall so there was no access without doing some damage to the house. The owner decided to leave the bees alone as they weren't in the way or doing any harm. Honey bees will only sting if you threaten their brood or food supply. Or you accidentally squash one. Stinging is a last resort as they die afterwards, whereas wasps will sting you for fun and more than once.
If you've only just noticed them they are probably a swarm from a local beekeepers hive/apiary as there aren't that many truly wild honey bee colonies around. A quick Google should point you towards your local beekeeping association but it may be that the bees are now settled and have started to build comb. At this point it's difficult to get all the bees - even if you can get to them.
A new swarm is easy to handle if you can get to them - they're very docile as they fill up on honey before swarming and this has the same effect on them as a large Sunday meal does on us. They've also no brood or food to defend so are usually quite happy to hang around whilst scouts go out looking for a new home.
I went out to a house in a similar position a few weeks ago. The bees were in a cavity in the wall so there was no access without doing some damage to the house. The owner decided to leave the bees alone as they weren't in the way or doing any harm. Honey bees will only sting if you threaten their brood or food supply. Or you accidentally squash one. Stinging is a last resort as they die afterwards, whereas wasps will sting you for fun and more than once.
shimmey69 said:
You will not find a pest controller to kill them as if they use a powder to kill them they have to by law
First guy I called had no problem coming out next day and killing off a colony in my loft. It was also the recommended course of action from the local beekeepers association.UpTheIron said:
shimmey69 said:
You will not find a pest controller to kill them as if they use a powder to kill them they have to by law
First guy I called had no problem coming out next day and killing off a colony in my loft. It was also the recommended course of action from the local beekeepers association.If they are using ficam d the instructions on the label that have to be followed are here middle column second paragraph
this guy here got away lightly!
as how can you be 100% sure you have filled all the access holes in loft??
Famous Graham said:
FlossyThePig said:
Don't worry the idiots will be along soon with all sorts of stupid suggestions.
More stupid than climbing into a possibly bee-infested loft? At night?
Carrying a cup of petrol?
On a totally unrelated note, I found out today there was waspy looking things living in my chimney. I just smoked 'em out.
SlidingSideways said:
That's interesting, thanks Dave.
If they do prove to be in the cavity and I just remove their access over autumn/winter, will leaving the hive in place cause any lasting damage to the house?
Shouldn't do as all the bees will do is build comb from their wax in order to store food and new bees. This is what they do in the wild - in a hollow tree for example. They'll fit comb into wherever they choose to set up home and it won't do any damage. The beeswax is entirely natural and any dead bees and the wax will rot away over time. The only problem you might get from leaving the comb is from mice, who may smell a feeding opportunity and do their best to get at it. Wasps are partial to it as well unfortunately. If they do prove to be in the cavity and I just remove their access over autumn/winter, will leaving the hive in place cause any lasting damage to the house?
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