honeybee nest!!

kindi · 07-25-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hope1964

How many honey bee nests have you seen where honey runs out of it like that ??? .

We did the honeybee hive project in college where you can see the whole hive behind panes of glass right outside the classroom window.

It was interesting but what a freaking mess. I wouldn't want one of those things inside my house.

Runs like Dog · 07-25-2012, 05:01 PM

You could probably contact a beekeeper if there are any near you to come and pick them up. I don't know if you live near beekeepers. I do which is why I suggested it.

Hope1964 · 07-25-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runs like Dog

You could probably contact a beekeeper if there are any near you to come and pick them up. I don't know if you live near beekeepers. I do which is why I suggested it.

That's what I am hoping to have done

swedish · 07-25-2012, 06:20 PM

Hi Hope. We had a swarm fly into our attic as well (not where we could get to them.) If they are honeybees, they will produce a lot of honey and it will eventually start dripping through your ceilings (very likely.) I tried local bee collectors (more than one who explained the same thing) and while they at first were eager to come and remove them once they found out it was a 2-story house they declined. In the end, I ran out of people to call and had to call Orkin Pest Removal to have them killed vs. removed and it costed around $300 USD if I remember correctly.

humanbecoming · 07-25-2012, 08:17 PM

Ok, yes, getting them out asap is better than letting it go before doing it.... Less to remove...

As far as honey dripping everywhere.... Take some honey, (if you live somewhere where there are honeybees) and see how long it takes then to find it, and clean it up.... In the hive, it's sealed inside the comb, not running loose all over everything. The only way it's going to be dripping, is if the honey comb gets damaged.

Halien · 07-25-2012, 09:29 PM

In the US, beekeeper groups will normally stay in touch with the local county agriculture offices. Obviously, it may be different where you live, but I'd recommend calling the local agencies that exist in your area instead of email, just because the contact you reach may be more willing to give multiple names to contact.

Bees support the local ecosystem in more ways than most people realize. But as I've moved away from the area where I grew up, I've noticed that some areas have very few resources who know how to remove them without killing them. Its definately worth taking the time to look for options. It was just very likely where I grew up that you'd find someone who was willing to relocate the hive, or get them to accept a new queen for relocation, for very little cost, if any.

I had often heard that the hive is more of a real problem to a house if it matures through several seasons, and the old hive areas begin to foster a moist environment that attracts other, more destructive pests. And the bees sometimes gain access through existing holes or openings that pose a structural risk just because of being open to the elements. If the environment is right, the hive itself can begin to attract carpenter ants, or other destructive pests.

I'll admit that a lot of what I know about honeybees is through local native american lore in my home community, and not through the biology electives I slept through in college.

Hope1964 · 07-26-2012, 02:41 PM

Update: I spoke with a local beekeeper today who volunteers to remove swarms and nests, and his recommendation was to leave it alone and see if the bees survive the winter. He thinks they probably won't, because it's late for them to be establishing a nest, and because of the mortality rate among them being so high for a variety of reasons

So for now we aren't going to do anything.

If the nest is still there in the spring, we will have to dismantle enough of the soffits and garage roof to get at the queen. He will then come and put the queen into a hive box and set it out near the nest. Her pheromones will attract all the bees to the hive box, and they can then be taken away, alive

Then the nest has to be cleaned out and the house put back together

He removes the bees for free but it's up to us to do the work on the house itself.

In the meantime we can enjoy the bees and don't have to kill them

kindi · 07-26-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hope1964

So for now we aren't going to do anything. .. In the meantime we can enjoy the bees and don't have to kill them

Meanwhile the nest will grow bigger and bigger and the volume of honey and bee droppings and all kinds of other residual crap will continue to increase and the potential damage to building structures will be greater.

I'm still going with: Destroy the nest before the problem gets any bigger.

Although I understand that as in most cases (not necessarily bee related), the easiest thing to do is absolutely nothing and hope the problem goes away on it's own.

Enjoy watching your bees (destroy your house)!

Hope1964 · 07-26-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindi

Meanwhile the nest will grow bigger and bigger and the volume of honey and bee droppings and all kinds of other residual crap will continue to increase and the potential damage to building structures will be greater.

I'm still going with: Destroy the nest before the problem gets any bigger.

Although I understand that as in most cases (not necessarily bee related), the easiest thing to do is absolutely nothing and hope the problem goes away on it's own.

Enjoy watching your bees (destroy your house)!

What exactly is the problem you have here? Do you know more than the beekeeper?? I just don't get why you keep posting so vehemently on this thread to KILL THE BEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kindi · 07-26-2012, 03:02 PM

The beekeeper said they're probably going to die anyway.

Makes no sense to let them do further damage to your home and just "wait for winter".

kindi · 07-26-2012, 03:04 PM

Sorry duplicate post meant to edit the first one.

Hope1964 · 07-26-2012, 03:05 PM

They are not damaging the house though. According to the beekeeper and the beekeepers association here. I know you think they are, but the fact is they aren't.

Gaia · 07-26-2012, 03:10 PM

Hell I'm against killing bees as well and frankly if I had found a honeybee nest I would go out and buy some gear then enjoy taking a bit of that honey now and again! If it was damaging the house I wouldn't mind fixing said damage... why not? After all they are providing me with something edible and if it seemed to be getting to bad... I would just move the hive ...but would still keep em around. Honey can be soooo benificial!
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kindi · 07-26-2012, 03:11 PM

Did a quick search. For starters:

Bee and Honeycomb Removal Specialists

Q: If I leave the bees alone will they just go away?

A: Not before they do significant damage. Once bees live in a wall or in an attic they will usually stay. The bees will make a honeycomb in the wall and up in the attic. Honeycombs will not go away on their own. Once the bees are removed, the honeycomb needs to be removed as well.

Q: There is a honey bee hive in my attic. How quickly will the honey bee hive make a honey comb?

A: A honey bee hive will make a honeycomb fairly quickly. The rate at which the honeycomb is made depends on the size of the bee hive and if they are European honey bees or Africanized honey bees. Africanized honey bees were genetically created for their fast production of honey.

Q: Why is bee removal important if they are in my attic?

A: The honey from bees will do significant damage in your attic and can be very expensive if it is not removed. The longer the bees have to live in the attic the more time they have to create a honeycomb. Honeycombs attract roaches and rats and will ruin drywall. Honey bee removal is essential to prevent costly damage in the attic and prevent pests from invading the home.

Q: Is honey bee removal necessary?

A: Honey bees are an essential part of the ecosystem. However, when a honey bee hive is created in a wall or in an attic the honey bees become a danger to anyone living in that home. Allergic reactions are common and could result in a hospital visit. There is no physical characteristic to tell apart the European honey bee from the dangerous Africanized killer bee. An attack from an Africanized honey bee colony could result in the death of a pet or human. The honey needs to be removed from the wall as well to prevent pests and damage to the home.

Almostrecovered · 07-26-2012, 03:11 PM

Apiacidal maniac