Honeybees in chimney

[Pipsqueak]

We seem to have acquired honeybees in our chimney :rolleyes:.

They either arrived 3 days ago, or possibly 4 weeks ago. We had a very large swarm on the roof 3 days ago.

We have been unable to find a beekeeper willing (or able) to come and collect them, even though we are happy to pay.

One lot of advice suggested leaving them where they are:confused:. There are two problems with this. First of all they are escaping from the fireplace into the living room despite trying to seal the chimney breast (we counted over 100 yesterday). We have applied even more duct tape today and only a few have escaped. The trouble is we have a 12 month old baby that I am worried may be stung (despite our best efforts to get rid of them every day, a few remain)
The second issue is with the long term consequences of leaving them there? We have been told new swarms will probably move in when this one succumbs? And that the honey will damage the brickwork causing more problems? We also want to be able to use the fireplace!

Any suggestions as to what we can do?

We have tried smoking them out (for 5 hours). They left the chimney, but did not leave the vicinity, just buzzed around the chimney and roof.

[hemo]

Hello Pipsqueak,
If they left and returned its possible the Queen stayed put. Also there will be young nurse bees who havev't learnt to fly yet.Bees won't abandon their brood.Unless someone can physically remove the waxcombs and bees you will i'm afraid have to have them destroyed ?
Its one of those awkward dilemma's where sometimes not all bees can besaved.

[buzz lightyear]

See my post "bees under floor board". If you could rig up a similar system then you might get the flyers out and into a box of some discription. The trick will be sealing all exits bar the one by your box, along with creating a platform to hold things. Good luck. Buzz

[Pipsqueak]

Hemo, I'm starting to realise that they will probably have to be destroyed.
Who is the best person to do this - any of the Pest Control companies? Does anyone have any recommendations?
And what about the combs/honey? Will it attract more bees or cause other problems? We have been told we will have to seal or cap the chimney. Will the pest control company do this? And what do we do if we want to have a fire or get the chimney swept?
So many questions :o

[hemo]

Hi Pipsqueak,
A pest contoller will treat the bees . I should think a chimney sweep will be able to dislodge the combs also they will have insurance for climbing about on roofs and using ladders in case of accidents.
Beekeepers only have third party liability via BBKA (BUT NOT FOR CLIMBING AROUND ON ROOFS).
Also possible any combs may melt once your fire is lit and gets really going ?
Re capping off chimney how about having a mesh (MUST BE METAL)similar to that used in open mesh floor to stop bees re entering fitted to your chimney .

[Chris]

Well, if you use your fire they can't stay there. Poor bees obviously picked the wrong chimney.

And don't listen to the person who told you that 'honey can damage brickwork'.

I collected a swarm which had issued from a bee colony in a chimney a couple of weeks ago. The homeowner said the colony had been there years. He had three young children and they all came and watched me collect the swarm. Often there is 'an unknown quantity' thing with bees, but they are mostly gentle creatures which are only likely to sting if they get sat on or something.

You need a professional pest control company if you want them killing.

BUT, if you are never going to use your fire, the advice would be to just seal the chimney up. Honeybees will not damage brickwork in any way, they are just using the cavity to nest in.

[john mclean]

Hi PS,

You couldn't get a BK to come and try to take them out :eek:
and you were offering to pay as well?
Good public relations there :rolleyes:

I would stuff your chimmney with crumpled news paper for about 2 to 3 feet up.It's a trick people use when they don't want birds ,bats ,bees comeing down there unused chimmney,or a cap on top too.

As your concerned about your child , after stuffing the chimmney board over the fireplace and seal with duct tape, the bees you probably were getting were heading toward the light,this is the reason for stuffing paper up first.

I hope you get your problem solved?

John..