Bees in a chimney

[Jeff Buzz]

Just had a call from a company installing a wood burner and they think a swarm has moved in during the last few days (they had chimney sweeped last week).

Obviously they want the bees out to install the liner I have advised against called a pest controller and suggested they light a small very smoky fire to drive the bees out.

I guess the bees will be a bit miffed by all this but perhaps they queen will go and take them all with them.

What do you folks think.

 

[johnmcc]

I did just this for a neighbour in our village last year. A paper and cardboard fire for about ten minutes drove most of them out but killed a few who tumbled down into the stove. I don't know where the rest went after that, but no-one else reported a problem. Harsh - but I don't know what else you can do if you want a quick result.

 

[stoneleighhouse]

had a swarm in an extractor vent, the smoke from a bit of burning paper did the trick, but took 2/ 3 attempts patience paid off no casualties I could see or find

 

[enrico]

Do it as soon as possible, the build up of wax is rapid and that burns like ......well wax I suppose!! Will set a chimney on fire!

 

[Jeff Buzz]

Just spoken to the fitter and the bees are in a unused chimney next to the one they are working on and coming out of holes in rain cap.
So advised him to send his apprentice up first thing to tape up the holes and then put a sack over the top, fit the flue then open it up again the next morning first thing.

So bees get to play another day which is good.

 

[MuswellMetro]

Just spoken to the fitter and the bees are in a unused chimney next to the one they are working on and coming out of holes in rain cap.
So advised him to send his apprentice up first thing to tape up the holes and then put a sack over the top, fit the flue then open it up again the next morning first thing.

So bees get to play another day which is good.

ooooh, not a good idea, as the bees will find a new way out....I expect via the fireplace

i can see it now 20,000 forage bees in the living room drawn down by the light looking for an exit

 

[Jeff Buzz]

ooooh, not a good idea, as the bees will find a new way out....I expect via the fireplace

i can see it now 20,000 forage bees in the living room drawn down by the light looking for an exit

Fireplace is in a bedroom bricked up and as its so cold I would guess they are more than happy to have a day inside.

 

[itma]

Fireplace is in a bedroom bricked up and as its so cold I would guess they are more than happy to have a day inside.

"Closed" fireplaces usually have a vent, to allow a little airflow, preventing damp problems.
As such, it would possibly provide a controllable exit point that was more easily managed than something at roof level?

Would a bee escape, as used for clearing supers, have any application as a "one way valve" on such a channelled exit to capture and prevent foragers returning to the colony?


/ if the colony is in the adjacent chimney, rather than the one that has just been swept, I do wonder whether they have only recently arrived, in this recent poor weather.

 

[Jeff Buzz]

"Closed" fireplaces usually have a vent, to allow a little airflow, preventing damp problems.
As such, it would possibly provide a controllable exit point that was more easily managed than something at roof level?

Would a bee escape, as used for clearing supers, have any application as a "one way valve" on such a channelled exit to capture and prevent foragers returning to the colony?


/ if the colony is in the adjacent chimney, rather than the one that has just been swept, I do wonder whether they have only recently arrived, in this recent poor weather.

I would say they may have been there for a while now I know that they are in adjacent chimney. I have not been out to the job but they only have to drop a flue liner in so I would guess they will only be up the ladder for a short time.

I know I would not be up a ladder long in this weather.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

I got a swarm out of a chimney last year - the day it arrived. The owner opened up the access inside the room (it was boarded up) and I smoked with some nasty shredded stuff that came in a Thornes package. It took about 1/2 and hour. Before they had a chance to build comb it made the job easier I expect. That was the easy bit though.