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sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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Posted by gailuvscats (My Page) on Sun, Apr 22, 07 at 19:42
| No one answered my ID request, but I think they are honey bees, from what I have searched. I will call a beekeeper tomorrow, but if he won't come get them, they have to go.
I mean how can I go in and out of my basement, and not get swarmed or have them get into the house As it is I have two trapped between the window and the screen waiting for them to die before I open the window. I don't know how they got in there, but I am not opening the window until they stop moving. I have cats,that will go after them and I don't want them stung.
Also, I do not want honey above the ceiling of the basement entrance. this is a real problem.
any of you beekeepers in the 610 area code?
They haven't made any honey yet have they? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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- Posted by ccrb1 z5 IND (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 22, 07 at 22:12
| which would be in Pennsylvania |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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| http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208172 |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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Not sure what you are saying honeyman, can't open the link. I called a bee guy today and he told me if I don't want the bees, I should plug up the holes, says they are scouts, and won't set up where they can't get in.
Otherwise I should wait until thousands of them come and then for 500.00 he can come and remove them. I will be plugging the hole now. if it doesn't work poison is in order.
He confirmed from my description they are honey bees. |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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| http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208172 Copy and past to your borwser If you plug the hole and or poison bee aware that later you will have the smell of rotten bees and the ants that come to clean up the mess and the posssablity of honey driping in your house!! |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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Honeyman, thanks for the other info site, but I already searched this site, and posted my problem and you are the only one who replied, but I am not sure you read my post thoroughly. I spoke with a beekeeper and he said from what I desribed that these are scouts, the hive has not been built yet, therefore it makes sense to stop the progress.
There is no honey.
I checked this ternoon and now there are 4 or so coming and going trying to get into the blocked holes. They did manage to get into other openings and came right back out, so I will be plugging them up early tomorrow am.
do you have any advice for this. I am using aluminum foil. Other than you, I really didn't get any help here, and I searched the entire forum re: this problem and read a ton of posts of beekeepers admonishing people for killing bees or giving advice on how to kill bees. Yet here I am, and no one tried to figure what my problem was or what I should do. I could have plugged up the holes two days ago. I know that seems like an obvious thing to do, but I didn't know they were scouts, that there is no hive or honey, someone could have given me the same advice the beekeeper on the phone this morning did. It seems many here are more concerned about criticising people for killing bees, rather than give solutions on how to avoid it. |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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| Sorry I didn't see your first post> What Honeyman was recommending is that you post or check out beesource.com for help. It is an all-beekeeping forum which we all participate in. There are many bee and bee like insects that look similar to a honeybees. I can understand your real concern. Sometimes when you keep bees you expect everyone to love them which isn't always the case. Even we beekeepers don't like to be dive bombed or head butted by an angry bee. If these are honey bees your ceiling isn't the place for them to establish a hive. If you only see a few coming or going and they ARE honeybees, then there isn't an established hive. The typical swarm can have upwards of 10 or 12,000 bees.If they are in fact just scouts looking for a place for a swarm to move in, and are in fact honey bees,plugging up all of the entrance spots should work. I would use a caulk gun and some good quality exterior caulk. You can do it very early morning or later in the evening when there are no bees flying around. My guess without seeing one of the culprits is that they may be some kind of hornet starting to build a nest in the ceiling. If that is the case you definitely want to discourage them. If you really want to kill them you can use soapy water rather than a harsh chemical spray. We DO need all kinds of pollinators, so killing is a last resort. If you can eliminate the invitation to take up residence by plugging cracks and holes, that is always the best option. Good luck and keep us posted .We really are a frindly and helpful bunch of people! Tony in MA |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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Thank you tony. When I returned later today 4 of them were continuing to try to get in anything they thought was an opening. I stuffed aluminum foil into all entrances I saw them using and everything I thought they could use. Around 4pm, there were none there, so I went in and started stuffing more anywhere I thought would be good, one came back and checked me and the place out and left. They have been polite, none stung me, only charged me until I backed off. they didn't chase me. I don't think I trapped any inside. I tapped it with a hammer before I started, hoping any inside would leave. I hope they find a good place to set up shop. If I had a bigger property, I would consider
putting out one of those boxes for hives, but I don't think I would have the guts to take the honey out.
anyway, sorry for my earlier tiff, I was frustrated and did not want to kill them, so the beekepper this morning gave me good advice. As of 6pm, none returned, so I may have sent them scouting elsewhere. |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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| Sounds good Hope all works out well Tony |
RE: sure they are honey bees, 610 area code
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Mission accomplished, have not seen a bee since whatever the last time I said I saw a bee. Over 24 hours.
I hope others see this thread and realize to plug up the holes before they get started. |
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