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Unwanted Bees
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Posted by steve73ca CA (My Page) on Tue, May 15, 07 at 0:09
| We have some type of screen shrubs with small purple flowers that run a fair length in our yard......bees are swarming the shrubs and make it very difficult to trim.
How can I get rid of the bees in order to trim the shrub...some type of spray, etc.....preferrably something w/ quick results.
Not interested in keeping the bees, etc...no hive found.
Thanks |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| Please just tolerate the bees. If you've not been reading the news lately bees are on a major and serious decline (called Colony Collapse Disorder). More than likely the flowers will last no longer than summer after which the bees will be gone. Until then, if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone. Personally, I love having bees buzzing around my yard. Bees do lots of good for the human species by pollinating or crops, let's be kind enough to return the favor. |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| Bees work flowers for the nectar and pollen. When they are working flowers they are not defensive. A loud gasoline trimmer might get them excited, but hand trimming should not. They will be gone as soon as the flowers are. If they belong to a beekeeper in the area and you poison them, you are liable for his losses in just about every state. Not following pesticide warning labels is a felony. |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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- Posted by ccrb1 z5 IND (My Page) on
Wed, May 16, 07 at 15:38
| The question is, can he clip his bushes without the bees there, and the answer is usually ... yes, within an hour or so of sunset |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| ccrb has the right approach (no surprise there). Just before sunset the bees won't be working, and you can trim the hedges in peace. |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| Here we go again? If you don't want the bees trim the bushes at ground level and drench the remaining stumps and ground with roundup. Quick and easy and you can kill everything else in one step. Just Kidding but frustrated. Your bushes are providing a Great service to bees. They are either gathering nectar or pollen. As long as you have the bushes and they are in bloom you will have the bees. Take some time to enjoy them and watch them as they work. You can trim the bushes either very early or late in the day, but why not wait a while longer (patience)and let the bees get their full benefit from them? It will be better for everyone |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| Hi...I have a related situation, and rather pressing as well. I am having a backyard wedding reception next week and have a gorgeous line of blooming lavender bushes surrounding our patio that are attracting many foraging bees...nature at work! However, many of our 150 guests, including children, will most likely freak out at the 100s of bees that are approximately 8 feet from their food and drink, and also along the pathway. Anything we can do to communicate to them to stay away...just for the day? I live in a hot climate (Riverside, CA) and thought that after it gets too warm (it's a 2pm ceremony and immediate reception) , they would dissipate, but they have hung around the entire day through the heat as well. Any advice and guidance is much appreciated as I have had no luck finding any concrete direction or answers, and spraying is not an option. Many thanks...Cece |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| CeCe, My thought would be to get some row covers. They would have to cover the plants entirely to keep them inaccessible to the bees for at least a few days before the wedding and during the reception. If they can't go back to the hive with anything, they may stop coming around in large numbers. I'm not sure if the fragrance alone would keep them hanging around. I know when I'm extracting honey, the bees are attracted to the scent and hang around outside the screen door waiting to get in. One downfall to the row covers is that they would look a lot uglier than all of those pretty girls buzzing around. |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| Tony, thanks for your quick response. I am planning to use white drapery lining to shade the patio and surrounding areas, similar to a flowy tent. Could I use the same lining (polyester and cotton blend) to completely cover the bushes for a few days prior to test out your theory(according to your explicit instructions)? Or are there specific row covers for these types of situations? I personally love the sound of them buzzing around, especially as I sip my coffee in the morning...however, with kids and uninformed guests, I could have a riot on my hands ;p Thanks for any additional guidance, Cece |
RE: Unwanted Bees
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| Cece, It seems like the material would work as long as it lets enough light in to not harm the plants. You might want to run that by one of the plant forums. good luck and let me know if it works Tony |
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