I don't want to kill these bees but...

NoNameNoNumber · 13 May 2014 at 17:56

As part of our house renovation/project we have obviously created a good deal of waste. A lot of that waste is accumulating outside for when I have enough to get a skip in... Unfortunately some bumblebees have found the old loft insulation to be prime nesting material...

Difficult to see much due to the **** iPhone pic but it's about the size of two clenched fists...

I'm fully aware that bumblebees are rather rare and so obviously I'd much rather re home them than kill them. How the hell do you move a bees nest though? No bee keepers are interested as they're not honey bees.

I've disturbed them rather a lot in uncovering their hive, hopefully that'll be enough for them to want to bugger off. If they don't though I'm going to have to resort to chemicals and death... Ficam-w ought to do it...

Mynight · 13 May 2014 at 23:13

Rubber gloves and thick clothing, try to hold your breath whilst doing it apparently they get aggravated by co2 or something.

Maybe best to test out a single sting to make sure you're not allergic first

'Harry · 13 May 2014 at 23:25

Build a hive for them to move into.

AHarvey · 14 May 2014 at 01:22

Move the waste away bit by bit until there's barely anything there, they should move on by themselves as it'll no longer be safe!

neil_g · 14 May 2014 at 08:05

Bumble bees apparently don't reuse a nest so wait for them to move out.

Otherwise some advice on moving nests from the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust:

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

pitchfork · 14 May 2014 at 08:40

Scoop into a rubble sack and throw it into the nearest school playground

DannyDrama · 14 May 2014 at 10:20

pitchfork said:
Scoop into a rubble sack and throw it into the nearest old folks home

Fixed, if you're going to be evil do it right. Old people are much slower. :eek:

pitchfork · 14 May 2014 at 10:28

DannyDrama said:
Fixed, if you're going to be evil do it right. Old people are much slower.

Why don't we cut it in thirds, we'll throw one into the playground, one into the old peoples home and we'll use a banking head office as a control group?

NoNameNoNumber · 14 May 2014 at 10:33

I have been slowly uncovering it, hopefully as you say they will move on as it's no longer as secure.
If not then I'd rather attempt to move it down the bottom of the garden, I'm happy to have them but I need to get the junk shifted as it's killing the grass :/

I did consider lobbing it next door

Mark M · 14 May 2014 at 10:36

Someone in another thread mentioned that you can ring a local bee-keeper and they will come and collect them for free?

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 14 May 2014 at 10:48

Queen Wasps, I know because my dad kills them for a living.

neil_g · 14 May 2014 at 11:24

NoNameNoNumber said:
I have been slowly uncovering it, hopefully as you say they will move on as it's no longer as secure.
If not then I'd rather attempt to move it down the bottom of the garden, I'm happy to have them but I need to get the junk shifted as it's killing the grass :/

I did consider lobbing it next door

"In these cases, it is important to remember that bumblebees don't cause any damage to homes. They do not eat wood (like wasps do), and don't leave behind a big mess. If you can put up with living with the nest nearby, it should die naturally within a few months, and the bees will not return. If the bees are being bothersome by entering and leaving the nest (e.g. in porches, where they usually fly at head height), you can try to re-route the entrance of the nest using our advice, below."

grass will grow back pretty quick.

bazzabear · 14 May 2014 at 11:31

Mark M said:
Someone in another thread mentioned that you can ring a local bee-keeper and they will come and collect them for free?

But the OP in this thread said they wouldn't because they're not honey bees.

I've no idea if he's right mind you.

Mark M · 14 May 2014 at 12:05

bazzabear said:
But the OP in this thread said they wouldn't because they're not honey bees.

I've no idea if he's right mind you.

Ah, it always makes me really mad when people dont read posts properly too! I retract my previous statement!

NoNameNoNumber · 14 May 2014 at 15:20

They need to go, despite the disturbance yesterday they are staying put. The clever little buggers have recovered the hive with the insulation fibres...

I'll think I'll see if I can protect myself fully with an air fed welding mask, gauntlets, overalls and duct tape. If I can move them to the end of the garden it's win win

But if I fail to report back then I've died of anaphylactic shock :/

NickK · 14 May 2014 at 15:27

NoNameNoNumber said:
They need to go, despite the disturbance yesterday they are staying put. The clever little buggers have recovered the hive with the insulation fibres...

I'll think I'll see if I can protect myself fully with an air fed welding mask, gauntlets, overalls and duct tape. If I can move them to the end of the garden it's win win
But if I fail to report back then I've died of anaphylactic shock :/

All tie a piece of rope around a tree at the end of the garden.. then put a bucket over the thing.. and a piece of metal underneath.. then use the rope to drag it from a safe location

(sounds like mouse trap..)

I'd still go for the bucket over the top.. then transport them.. then use a piece of something to recover the bucket..

NoNameNoNumber · 14 May 2014 at 15:43

That'd do for the hive nick no doubt but the nest itself is perhaps 18"square so would take some doing to move the nest along with the hive. I'm thinking of grabbing the hive with what nest will come with it on a shovel maybe...

NoNameNoNumber · 14 May 2014 at 16:47

I've just uncovered the hive again, that serves as their 24 hr eviction notice. If they haven't moved on by tomorrow I'll move them to the end of the garden.

Poor little buggers I bet they're majorly ****ed off!

neil_g · 14 May 2014 at 17:26

follow the guide on the link, do it at night as they will be dormant(er) and use red light which they cannot see. avoid breathing on the nest also.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26302457&postcount=5

Mynight · 14 May 2014 at 19:48

Its nice to see a thread where the question isn't "what's the best way to kill xxxxxx?"