Bees Control

How do I know I have a problem?

If you have a bee nest you will probably see bees entering a hole in the ground or in a wall or roof. Where they nest often depends on species. It may not be necessary to destroy the nest. It may be possible in some cases to remove the nest, but this is rare. The operator will be able to tell you what sort of bees they are, usually either? Bumble Bees, Honey Bees or a wild species such as? masonry or mining bees,? there are many sub species of wild bees within these groups. To the left is a Picture of a Honey Bee Swarm

Honey Bees

Honey Bees: A honey bee nest will have thousands of bees and they will swarm around the entrance of the nest, this is commonly in chimneys but they will use any cavity. You may come into contact with a swarm. This is when part of a hive splits and a Queen accompanies by drones and several thousand workers will look for a new nest site. While scout bees are looking for a suitable site the swarm may ?hang? for a few days in a tree or bush.

Bumble Bees

Bumble Bees: These are the largest of the bees and usually nest in the ground or in places such as compost heaps. Generally they are not aggressive although they can sting. They may be aggressive around the nest entrance.

Mason/Mining Bees

Mason/Mining Bees: If you have these types of bees you will see them entering many holes either in the ground or in mortar. There is no Queen so all the females lay eggs.

Preparation prior to Treatment

On no account must the entrance to a nest be blocked, this can be dangerous. Keep pets away from the area and close window nearby.

Treatment

Treatment of the bee nest is some times the only solution. The operator will be able to tell you what sort of bees they are, usually either Bumble Bees, Honey Bees or a wild species such as masonry or mining bees, there are many sub species of wild bees within these groups. Bees are not aggressive as wasps but will sting if they think the nest is threatened. Honey bees will not hesitate to sting in this situation and can be dangerous just to the large numbers in a nest or swarm. The nests will be treated with? Demand CS'* which contains Lambda-cyhalothrin. The HSE Number is 6287 and the product is made by Sorex. Demand CS is probably the most modern insecticide available. Also a powder might be used called Ficam D*. This contains? an insecticide in a dust formulation @ 1% w/w Bendiocarb. Both insecticides are biodegradable, almost odourless, non tainting & do not corrode or stain. They are not highly toxic towards mammals but are extremely so to all forms of crawling and flying public health pests.

Honey Bees

If the nest is in a chimney it may take 2 technicians using roof ladders to carry out the work which will involve an insecticide treatment

Mason/Mining Bees

The affected areas will be treated with an insecticide.

Bumble Bees

The entrance of the nest will be treated using an insecticide.

What do I do afterwards?

After treatment the bees may remain in a hyperactive state for a few hours, but activity will usually completely cease within 4 warm days (cold or wet days may prolong activity). Honey Bee swarms should die within 24 hours. Never block the entrance to a nest? or make repairs to holes unless you are quite sure the nest is dead e.g. bees are not flying in and out of the entrance.

Mason & Mining Bees

Complete eradication of Mason & Mining Bees is not always possible but the treatment should reduce numbers significantly. Re pointing crumbling mortar may be the only long term solution to stop Mason Bees.

Honey Bees

As well as being a nuisance the honey they produce can stain paint work and be a target for parasites.? A place that has been infested by Honey bees once is likely to attract more swarms in the near future so proofing the area needs looking at immediately.? We do not guarantee Honey Bee treatments.