Bumble bee calls - getting bored repeating myself

[beesleybees]

Hi guys,

I done a little advertising regarding collect honey bee swarms but my phone has been ringing non stop but all the calls are for bumble bees. Only had 1 call which was a honey bee swarm out of say 100!!

Was thinking of leaving a message on my answering machine giving advice on identifying what bees they are and if they are bumble to leave them well alone otherwise if it's honey bees, I'll be happy to collect.

So this is a big ask and a bit cheeky but could someone tell me what to say on my answering machine message to advise people. I'm hopeless at this kind of stuff so something straight to the point but informative would be great

 

[ratcatcher]

yup, me too, being a pestie as well as a bee keeper, 100's of calls, all bumble bees

 

[Peterxix]

yup, me too, being a pestie as well as a bee keeper, 100's of calls, all bumble bees

Yep the same up in Yorkshire,

 

[Chris B]

I hate to say it. There's nothing you can say. These people will keep ringing around until they speak to a real beekeeper. 9 times out of 10 they already know they are bumble bees not honey bees but still they expect a free conscience-appeasing chat. They already know they will have them killed or removed and want you to do it for free and hear their "justification" so they don't feel so bad about it. Best get yourself off the lists.

Funny how the Bumble Bee charities, FoE, etc etc. don't have a helpline, so well meaning beekeepers are left to bear the brunt and try to save bumble colonies from extermination. But they'll campaign til the cows come home about pesticides that may kill individuals but not colonies.

 

[beecology]

I hate to say it. There's nothing you can say. These people will keep ringing around until they speak to a real beekeeper. 9 times out of 10 they already know they are bumble bees not honey bees but still they expect a free conscience-appeasing chat. They already know they will have them killed or removed and want you to do it for free and hear their "justification" so they don't feel so bad about it. Best get yourself off the lists.

Funny how the Bumble Bee charities, FoE, etc etc. don't have a helpline, so well meaning beekeepers are left to bear the brunt and try to save bumble colonies from extermination. But they'll campaign til the cows come home about pesticides that may kill individuals but not colonies.

Sorry but this is utter tosh.

Everyone, beekeeper or not should be doing their bit to help out bees. Like I said in an earlier post, as a beek, you should point blank refuse to kill off any bumblebee nests and try to educate people - whether they listen or not.

And as for your comments on Bumblebee charities and pesticides - don't get me started

 

[ratcatcher]

Sorry but this is utter tosh.

Everyone, beekeeper or not should be doing their bit to help out bees. Like I said in an earlier post, as a beek, you should point blank refuse to kill off any bumblebee nests and try to educate people - whether they listen or not.

And as for your comments on Bumblebee charities and pesticides - don't get me started

Ive attended what was called a swarm on the phone, to bumbles in a nest box etc, 9 times out of 10, I remove the bees to a less visited part of the garden, as otherwise you know damn well they will get them killed

 

[beecology]

Hi guys,

I done a little advertising regarding collect honey bee swarms but my phone has been ringing non stop but all the calls are for bumble bees. Only had 1 call which was a honey bee swarm out of say 100!!

Was thinking of leaving a message on my answering machine giving advice on identifying what bees they are and if they are bumble to leave them well alone otherwise if it's honey bees, I'll be happy to collect.

So this is a big ask and a bit cheeky but could someone tell me what to say on my answering machine message to advise people. I'm hopeless at this kind of stuff so something straight to the point but informative would be great

As standard message could be something like;

"Bumblebees are totally harmless and docile if left alone and pose no threats to humans. Their nests die out naturally in autumn and as they are in a state of decline, they should be left unharmed to go about their business. If your not sure if you have a Bumblebee nest or a Honeybee swarm, google Bumblebee Conservation for basic identification - regards Beeslybees"

 

[HM Honey]

Sorry but this is utter tosh.

Everyone, beekeeper or not should be doing their bit to help out bees. Like I said in an earlier post, as a beek, you should point blank refuse to kill off any bumblebee nests and try to educate people - whether they listen or not.

And as for your comments on Bumblebee charities and pesticides - don't get me started

Sorry beecology but you are simply just not taking all situations into account. I am going out to a lady tonight who has a colony of TB's nesting in a vent right outside her back door. She is highly allergic to bee stings and actually ended up in hospital last year with severe swelling and breathing difficulties. She has two young children who are also very illergic. She has phoned the council and a couple of pesties and on all fronts, they have refused to deal with them and told her she needs to call a beek.

I'm happy to PM you her number and you can have a go at trying to convince her she should put hers and her childrens lives at risk and just "live with them" as you say. Alternatively, I could just refuse to help her and sleep well at night wondering if she is still alive and well.

Needless to say that although it will be difficult for me to do, the nest will be getting destroyed tonight. Not what I want to do but easier to live with than the hospitalisation of one of her children.

 

[HM Honey]

Bumblebees are totally harmless and docile if left alone and pose no threats to humans.

Garbage.... TB's can be very defensive around the nest and a sting, with the wrong reaction can be VERY harmful to humans

 

[beecology]

That's fair enough, but I wonder how likely it is any of them will be stung? I could go outside now to closest nest and virtually sit on it without the slightest bit of concern.

I think as a nation, the attitude is if it flies and could sting then it should be killed, there is certainly an awful lot of hysteria involved when it comes to things like bees and wasps.

I don't now for sure, but im sure there could be some solution before killing off the nest - use the other door perhaps, box the vent out with a small access hole to one side etc etc?

 

[Heather]

I have a real dilemma. The chap who allows me a piece of land for my own bees owns a property that he lets out.
Bumble bees ( tree) are in soffit corner of his rental property and he cannot allow them to stay as he will get repeated alarm calls from families.
I have to stop them in.. impossible to remove, I have looked... how can I humanely kill them before I block up their access hole.

 

[madasafish]

Originally Posted by beecology View Post
Bumblebees are totally harmless and docile if left alone and pose no threats to humans.



Obviously had no dealings with Tree Bumbles then and speaking from a position of total and utter ignorance.


I've been stung by tree bumbles - last night . I removed a nest of them annoying adults and buzzing kids.

In 2012 I removed a nest so aggressive anyone approaching within 10 meters was stung...


Please please don't pretend to be full of expertise on a subject and make sweeping generalisations... which are just bull excrement.

 

[beecology]

Garbage.... TB's can be very defensive around the nest and a sting, with the wrong reaction can be VERY harmful to humans

That's around the nest, as in sticking your head in it! My point is that if left undisturbed, they will not cause ANY HARM.

Cars kill more far humans than bees every year but im sure you and your friend both own and use them every day?

http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/faqs/moving-bumblebee-nests/

 

[HM Honey]

I think as a nation, the attitude is if it flies and could sting then it should be killed, there is certainly an awful lot of hysteria involved when it comes to things like bees and wasps.

I completely agree that we need to try and change attitudes to bees but leaving someone to live in fear of serious harm, or telling them they cant use a part of their garden or house is certainly not going to change their attitude to the animal. If anything, it's only going to make them resent/hate them even more.

Of course, killng them is ALWAYS a last resort and I always move them if possible but sometimes a few dead Bumbles serves the greater cause....

 

[beecology]

Ive had no dealings as far as Ive never tried to remove a nest if that helps you any? As for matters passed by bulls, the less said the better

 

[HM Honey]

Cars kill more far humans than bees every year but im sure you and your friend both own and use them every day?

That is without a doubt the most ridiculous statement I have EVER read on this forum.....

 

[beecology]

That is without a doubt the most ridiculous statement I have EVER read on this forum.....

why? We all operate at perceived risk levels do we not?

If you feel obliged or are concerned about your friend and the only solution is to kill off the nest then that is totally understandable.

 

[beecology]

Garbage.... TB's can be very defensive around the nest and a sting, with the wrong reaction can be VERY harmful to humans

Would you agree that allergic reaction to stings is just natural selection (tongue in cheek)

 

[HM Honey]

Would you agree that allergic reaction to stings is just natural selection (tongue in cheek)

You could very well have a point there....

 

[meetballuk]

i find burning down the nest the only option, that way no one bothers the bees.
police seem to have a problem with me doing this to peoples houses says its arson bloody nanny state