The public

[Hachi]

I swore a few years back, swarms were a waste of time but this year I relented and let it be known to the local community I'm back in the game. Numerous calls later no swarms just chancers wanting stuff done on the cheap. Stuff like cut outs at upto 40' high and bumble bees nests removal abound. NO Swarms tho'!! These so called environmentalists and proclaimed entomologists want them gone, whatever "them" are at no cost. They hide behind "I don't know what they are, oh! I thought they were honey bee's" its all BS. They have a reasonable grasp of technology [they must have to find and then contact me] and I'm certain they entice me there for me to take pity on them, hide behind the kids as she did yesterday and if I offered to eradicate them they'd bite my hand off. These nimby part time, save the planet people are getting me grumpy!!

To give you a little perspective, I'm contacted every second day.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Despite people reading my website and seeing that they have bumblebees which I don't deal with, I still get regular calls about them. And no, I don't remove them; some callers are quite disguntled as if the EXPECT me to remove them. I have had people swearing that they have honeybees; I now ask for a photo. One picture last year was of a black beetle; not even a bee! And a month ago, someone called who had a bumblebee in their garden and, would I like it?

 

[Antipodes]

Despite people reading my website and seeing that they have bumblebees which I don't deal with, I still get regular calls about them. And no, I don't remove them; some callers are quite disguntled as if the EXPECT me to remove them. I have had people swearing that they have honeybees; I now ask for a photo. One picture last year was of a black beetle; not even a bee! And a month ago, someone called who had a bumblebee in their garden and, would I like it?

Yeah...getting a photo is a good idea.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Despite people reading my website and seeing that they have bumblebees which I don't deal with, I still get regular calls about them. And no, I don't remove them; some callers are quite disguntled as if the EXPECT me to remove them. I have had people swearing that they have honeybees; I now ask for a photo. One picture last year was of a black beetle; not even a bee! And a month ago, someone called who had a bumblebee in their garden and, would I like it?

Can't recall the source but one article I read stated that people of average intelligence weren't very bright and half the population were dumber than that!

 

[Earthboy]

As I have been doing professional bee-rescue/removal, people call me often and say, "Do you want some FREE bees?" I then say, "Of course.". Then they say, "They are in my wall or roof or wherever." I then respond politely, "Sir/Maam, if the bees are free, why would you put them behind your wall or up in the roof, which takes LABOR to get them out?"

Since I am a beekeeper, they think it is my lawful duty to get them out for them, FREE of charge. One person used foul language at my refusal. I then hung up shortly, not wanting to be further verbally abused.

Depending on their guesstimated income level and the peculiar ontological circumstances, such an elderly with fixed social security income, living in a dilapidated residence, or a free TV exposure for saving bees, I have done some for free, but that is rare.

 

[Hachi]

As I have been doing professional bee-rescue/removal, people call me often and say, "Do you want some FREE bees?" I then say, "Of course.". Then they say, "They are in my wall or roof or wherever." I then respond politely, "Sir/Maam, if the bees are free, why would you put them behind your wall or up in the roof, which takes LABOR to get them out?"

Since I am a beekeeper, they think it is my lawful duty to get them out for them, FREE of charge. One person used foul language at my refusal. I then hung up shortly, not wanting to be further verbally abused.

Depending on their guesstimated income level and the peculiar ontological circumstances, such an elderly with fixed social security income, living in a dilapidated residence, or a free TV exposure for saving bees, I have done some for free, but that is rare.

They haven't used that one here...... yet! What annoys me, its very clear they want them gone by any means but want me to offer to do it so they hide behind the "...well if there's no other way then I guess yes carry on" and their precious little conscience's remain intact.

We have no dangerous anything in the animal kingdom here in the UK save for the two legged variety but when bee's are concerned their reaction is way over the top. Too much TV I think.

 

[Boston Bees]

I get a lot of calls re bees. I don't do a thing without a video or photo to identify them.

If it's bumblebees (it usually is) I find that most people are lovely once you explain their short lifecycle, docility and lack of damage to property.

No calls re honeybee swarms that are catchable yet this year! But sadly 3 or 4 calls from people who have clearly had a swarm move into their air-brick (etc) over the last few days. It makes me feel guilty as a beekeeper, given the expense and stress it causes people when this happens. I don't do cutouts but I recommend people who do.

Sadly our hobby is one that causes a great deal of inconvenience to other people. Wish it wasn't so.

I lose swarms I am sure, but try very hard not to. What I can't stand are those who just let them go without making any effort to prevent it.

 

[Hachi]

I get a lot of calls re bees. I don't do a thing without a video or photo to identify them.

If it's bumblebees (it usually is) I find that most people are lovely once you explain their short lifecycle, docility and lack of damage to property.

No calls re honeybee swarms that are catchable yet this year! But sadly 3 or 4 calls from people who have clearly had a swarm move into their air-brick (etc) over the last few days. It makes me feel guilty as a beekeeper, given the expense and stress it causes people when this happens. I don't do cutouts but I recommend people who do.

Sadly our hobby is one that causes a great deal of inconvenience to other people. Wish it wasn't so.

I lose swarms I am sure, but try very hard not to. What I can't stand are those who just let them go without making any effort to prevent it.

I've got no idea where to start with this post. You assume I turn up and don't say a word. 9 times out of ten I'm fighting for the bumble bee's very existence. Personally I would never insist on video footage or photo's as it risks someone [possibly children too] who might be genuinely fearful and allergic to bee's. I always turn out in person.

I don't feel guilty at all, why would I and why should you? Their not your swarms, it happens. I also recommend and offer the name of someone who will do cut outs but as soon as they realise their is a cost, they don't want to know. Perhaps they'd be better to invest in a bit more in maintenance of their properties that way they minimise the risk on every level.

One example a couple of weeks ago made it very clear one or more of their residents are allergic to bee stings but once money was mentioned it was clear, the well being of their residents was well down the list of priorities ha ha ha. For the avoidance of doubt..... the bees are still there!!! Nice of them to try and guilt trip me into action too.

One final point, its not just hobby beeks who loose swarms you know. Self professed beefarmers who have large numbers of hives loose many bees to swarms. Also feral colonies swarm too.

 

[Boston Bees]

You assume I turn up and don't say a word.

No I didn't. Sorry if you got that impression. I wasn't even replying directly to your post (hence why I hadn't quoted you), just on the general topic

I would never insist on video footage or photo's as it risks someone [possibly children too] who might be genuinely fearful and allergic to bee's. I always turn out in person.

No offence, but that's crazy. I get a call about "bees" almost every other day in May, June and July. I would do nothing else but pop out to look at bees if I didn't get a photo or video sent over first. Almost everyone has Whatsapp these days, which makes sending photos or videos very simple - we are in the era of people photographing their breakfast and posting it on Facebook after all! They don't have to get close. You can tell the difference between a honey bee and a bumblebee from ground level even if the nest entrance is two storeys up, and there is often a dead one to photograph anyway. If it's bumblebees, I don't need to go out, and can give them all the reassurance they need over the phone.

Try it - just ask - I think you will be surprised that 95% of people will say "sure, of course" - even older sounding ones. You get the odd older person who doesn't have a smartphone of course, and I do pop out to see them - saw a nice old duck with tree bees in her compost bin last week in fact, and the bees have a happy summer ahead of them because of my visit - but they are the exceptions.

 

[Boston Bees]

One final point, its not just hobby beeks who loose swarms you know. Self professed beefarmers who have large numbers of hives loose many bees to swarms. Also feral colonies swarm too.

Absolutely. My dig was at "leave alone" beekeepers who either deliberately let their hives swarm as part of a "natural" approach, or are too uninterested to bother with regular hive inspections.

 

[BeeJam]

it risks someone [possibly children too] who might be genuinely fearful and allergic to bee's.

Fearful yes, allergies I'm not so sure. They seem to be the new thing people use to justify them getting pest control in to kill a colony of bumblebees. When you ask them whether they've been properly tested though and carry an epipen with them at all times they tend to go quiet.

A retired GP I know has a theory that a lot of "allergic" reactions to stings (by no means all) are actually panic attacks.

 

[Karol]

<snip>

A retired GP I know has a theory that a lot of "allergic" reactions to stings (by no means all) are actually panic attacks.

Mast cell degranulation in sensitized people as a consequence of stings frequently manifests itself with heart palpitations commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety or panic attacks. Not an allergic reaction but an immune system mediated reaction nontheless which can be just as serious in some people.

 

[BeeJam]

Mast cell degranulation in sensitized people as a consequence of stings frequently manifests itself with heart palpitations commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety or panic attacks. Not an allergic reaction but an immune system mediated reaction nontheless which can be just as serious in some people.

Interesting - is the treatment for that the same as for an extreme allergic reaction ie adrenaline shot or is it something different?

 

[Anthony Appleyard]

Mast cell degranulation in sensitized people as a consequence of stings frequently manifests itself with heart palpitations commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety or panic attacks. Not an allergic reaction but an immune system mediated reaction nontheless which can be just as serious in some people.

See Mast cell - Wikipedia

 

[BugsInABox]

Mast cell degranulation in sensitized people as a consequence of stings frequently manifests itself with heart palpitations commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety or panic attacks. Not an allergic reaction but an immune system mediated reaction nontheless which can be just as serious in some people.

Such patients will have low blood pressure, where as panic attacks BP will be high. Rapid pulse with palpitation will be a feature of any severe (non cutaneous) allergic reaction.

 

[BugsInABox]

Interesting - is the treatment for that the same as for an extreme allergic reaction ie adrenaline shot or is it something different?

Yes, at least initially - could be life savign so dont worry about what type of allergic reaction it is - if someone is clearly severly affected. Dizzy/collapse/rapid-pulse/breathign difficulty etc; 999 and adrenaline.

 

[Hachi]

Fearful yes, allergies I'm not so sure. They seem to be the new thing people use to justify them getting pest control in to kill a colony of bumblebees. When you ask them whether they've been properly tested though and carry an epipen with them at all times they tend to go quiet.

A retired GP I know has a theory that a lot of "allergic" reactions to stings (by no means all) are actually panic attacks.

I was tested a couple of years ago for "allergies" and the specialist told me I couldn't have an "allergy" come on as an adult as I would have had it from childhood. He then went on to look at some medication I was taking at the time that was the root cause he said. Not good when all of a sudden you suffer a angioedema that also screwed up your ability to breath. Hospitalised me a few times and I now carry drugs just incase I have another.

 

[Hachi]

No I didn't. Sorry if you got that impression. I wasn't even replying directly to your post (hence why I hadn't quoted you), just on the general topic



No offence, but that's crazy. I get a call about "bees" almost every other day in May, June and July. I would do nothing else but pop out to look at bees if I didn't get a photo or video sent over first. Almost everyone has Whatsapp these days, which makes sending photos or videos very simple - we are in the era of people photographing their breakfast and posting it on Facebook after all! They don't have to get close. You can tell the difference between a honey bee and a bumblebee from ground level even if the nest entrance is two storeys up, and there is often a dead one to photograph anyway. If it's bumblebees, I don't need to go out, and can give them all the reassurance they need over the phone.

Try it - just ask - I think you will be surprised that 95% of people will say "sure, of course" - even older sounding ones. You get the odd older person who doesn't have a smartphone of course, and I do pop out to see them - saw a nice old duck with tree bees in her compost bin last week in fact, and the bees have a happy summer ahead of them because of my visit - but they are the exceptions.

I'll give it a go. I'm getting well ticked off with cut outs and bumble bee's

 

[B+.]

Fearful yes, allergies I'm not so sure. They seem to be the new thing people use to justify them getting pest control in to kill a colony of bumblebees. When you ask them whether they've been properly tested though and carry an epipen with them at all times they tend to go quiet.

A retired GP I know has a theory that a lot of "allergic" reactions to stings (by no means all) are actually panic attacks.

IRPMO is when people dismiss the risk of allergic reactions. They should be taken very seriously!

 

[BeeJam]

IRPMO is when people dismiss the risk of allergic reactions. They should be taken very seriously!

Not sure what IRPMO is (and google doesn't seem to know either) sorry. I don't necessarily disagree my point was more that people conflate "normal" reactions to stings (swelling, pain, itchiness etc) with more severe symptoms such as dizziness, breathing difficulty, feeling faint etc and claim that bees on their property "need" to be destroyed because they are "allergic".

I've only once come across someone (when I've been out to their property) who has actually had an epipen because they had been properly assessed as such. In one such case what sounded over the phone like a colony in a hedge actually turned out to be a wasps nest yet the occupents who claimed to be "allergic to bees" didn't know the difference between the two.