Help! Bee City in Exterior Wall

[Big Lou]

Honey bees have been migrating in spring to one particular section of our exterior wall for years. Most of us know wild honey bees are decreasing in numbers so we continued to allow the use of our wall as a refuge. With time, the bee population is too large and prevents any activity near them.

Have any of you such experience? What did you do? We have been told that wall area must be opened so a beekeeper can remove the bees and comb or sadly exterminators can do their job. Told it is very important to remove all comb, wastes, etc. to protect the house.

All comments truly appreciated.

 

[BlueOrca]

Can you contact any bee-keepers to see if they will take away the queen, for free. Clean up would be easier after that.

http://www.texasbeekeepers.org/

Most of these are for a fee......

http://www.yellowpages.com/desoto-tx/beekeepers

 

[Mmathis]

Lou, didn't you post about this a short while back? I seem to recall that due to the location it was going to be a really big and expensive job. Also recall watching a video of a guy locating and removing a hive (fascinating!). And another video where he found the queen right away.

Have you contacted any bee-keepers in the area? What about one of the universities? Surely there's someone who would be interested enough in the hive to put in some effort to save it.

Is the exterior wall wood, siding, brick......? In one of those videos, seems I recall the guy going in from an inside wall once he'd located the hive. But my lack of knowledge about "bee-hunting," puts me at a loss. Have you gotten any cost to repair estimates?

Hey, maybe contact a local TV station and see if they'd do a story. For "free" publicity, you might be able to get some discounts out of the deal. After all, we NEED our bees, and "colony collapse" was a big deal couple of years ago!

Sure wish I could help......

 

[Big Lou]

Lou, didn't you post about this a short while back? I seem to recall that due to the location it was going to be a really big and expensive job. Also recall watching a video of a guy locating and removing a hive (fascinating!). And another video where he found the queen right away.
Have you contacted any bee-keepers in the area? What about one of the universities? Surely there's someone who would be interested enough in the hive to put in some effort to save it.
Is the exterior wall wood, siding, brick......? In one of those videos, seems I recall the guy going in from an inside wall once he'd located the hive. But my lack of knowledge about "bee-hunting," puts me at a loss. Have you gotten any cost to repair estimates?
Hey, maybe contact a local TV station and see if they'd do a story. For "free" publicity, you might be able to get some discounts out of the deal. After all, we NEED our bees, and "colony collapse" was a big deal couple of years ago!
Sure wish I could help......

Do not know if I posted this topic earlier. The situation is now serious. I can't describe how upset I am because of this mess. A bee specialist came to our home today and was shocked at the possible extensive nature of the hive within one area of the outer wall. So extensive till it may be more than he can handle. We talked for some time about how I could provide construction resources and such. The cost is going to be high. If we just have the bees exterminated by a pest control firm then there is great risk from the remaining bee hive. Not a good day today.

 

[Mmathis]

Call a TV station and see if they'll do a story about your bees! Seriously!

 

[Big Lou]

Good idea.

 

[Event Horizon]

That is a very good idea

 

[Big Lou]

Wifey just told me CBS in Dallas did a piece last week on a lady with a 40 old bee hive in her exterior wall. Oh well......

 

[gardengimp]

Now, a hive can live in a wall for years and cause no harm–forget about the horror stories told by exterminators (they are, after all, selling poison). But if you have to remove bees from a wall it can be an expensive job if done correctly. I’ve removed hives from walls and it’s both hard on the bees and the beekeeper.

Source

Find a local bee rescue group. Not a commercial pesticide service in disguise.

 

[Big Lou]

GREAT NEWS!

The local bee keeper has agreed to take on our rescue mission. After all the bee stuff is gone we'll have a contractor come in and reinstall the saved siding or try and find matching new siding and trim. The bee guy is going to provide a protective suit for me so I can take tons of photos. I really hope he can save the queen bee.

( big bee smile )

 

[Mmathis]

Yea! Good job, Lou!

 

[j.w]

Oh my Lou, what a fiasco! Hoping it all turns out well for you and the bee's