Bee keepers in Melbourne?

[elanjacobs]

Some bees have decided to set up shop in a wall cavity and we'd like them gone but would rather have them relocated than killed.

Any help would be appreciated. We're in the inner SE suburbs.

[RoyG]

Have a look at the "Aussie Apiarists Online" web site, at the following link.

Bee Removal - AussieApiaristsOnline.net | The Australian Beekeeper Network (http://www.aussieapiaristsonline.net/bee-removal.html)

They have links to Apiarists who do bee hive removals, etc.

Hope that info helps.

RoyG

[elanjacobs]

Thanks for that, I'll look into it

[Optimark]

One of my brothers does this, he is located in the Bentleigh area. As I understand it, if the hive is an aggressive one, your chances of getting the hive removed instead of destroyed, are a bit slimmer.

I can, if you wish, forward his details or someone else I know who lives slightly further south than my brother, your call.

Mick.

[cava]

Try Southside Bee Keepers. As far as I am aware, they had members in Cheltenham.

southsidebeekeepers.com/ (http://www.woodworkforums.com/southsidebeekeepers.com/)

[fubar]

most local councils have a list of apiarists that are prepared to remove hives

[elanjacobs]

I'll send you a PM Mick, rather have a personal recommendation than just picking someone from a list.
Thanks everyone, I'm sure I'll find someone with all these leads.

[Optimark]

I'll send you a PM Mick, rather have a personal recommendation than just picking someone from a list.
Thanks everyone, I'm sure I'll find someone with all these leads.

Reply pm sent.


Mick.

[GrahamB45]

Hi,

I was just wondering what was the result?

I ask because I am a beekeeper, and am curious as I often get calls from people with bees in wall cavities.

[elanjacobs]

Unfortunately, because they had already established themselves, the colony couldn't be removed intact with any meaningful chance of surviving, so we had to gas them.

[elanjacobs]

They're baaaack

The guy neglected to mention that if we just kill them and leave the hive a new lot will be attracted to whatever honey is there and set up shop, so now we're back to square 1, but now with 2 hives to remove instead of 1. Not impressed.

[Optimark]

Did you go with my brother in the end?

Mick.

[cava]

Just use Baygon or similar, a few times, and it should work in the short term.

Unfortunately for you, bees will tend to hone in on the old hive for a few years to come which can be a pain. This typically happens during the swarming periods of the season.

Blocking as many holes as possible to the area also helps.

[elanjacobs]

We've sold the place recently to a young couple with kids, settlement is in March, so really need to get it done properly. There's also a bee shortage in general and I'd rather not add to the problem by killing more if I don't have to.

[cava]

I am a beekeeper - once the bees swarm to a particular place, they tend to keep going back there.

Plug all the accessible holes and spray with something akin to Baygon etc.

[elanjacobs]

Ok, but that still doesn't solve having 2 hives in the wall cavity and there is no way I'm getting near an active hive with something that will make them rather aggressive.
Do you do removals?

[cava]

Sorry Elan, but I do not do removals.

Two hives in the same wall? Probably, two entrances to the same hive.

Bees do not fly at nighttime (but they do crawl :D ), so spray them and plug the entrances at night.

Another thing to consider, are you sure they are bees and not European Wasps?

[elanjacobs]

Could be multiple entrances. A new lot moved in to the next stud cavity after we sprayed the first lot. Do bees take over other hives? Or maybe some survived.

Definitely bees, they're round and fuzzy.

We still want them removed properly, we can do a surface treatment after that. I'm sure the new owners (who happen to be family friends) won't be happy dealing with swarms every year with young kids running around.

[cava]

Bees can be attracted to old hives.

Try Southside Beekeepers Ref post #5, they do cutouts.

[elanjacobs]

Thanks. Got a couple of emails out at the moment, just waiting for quotes. Hopefully we can get it sorted out properly

[elanjacobs]

So we got it sorted (couple of months ago, just forgot to post).

Guy came in, ripped the weatherboards off and got the combs and bees in boxes. Apparently the previous "kill" job only got about half of them, including the queen, so the rest were still active but a bit confused with no leader. He also dusted the wall cavity with diatomaceous earth (aka itching powder) to deter any new colonies and gave an unconditional lifetime guarantee - if they come back to the same place he'll do it again for free.

Cost about $300 (can't remember exactly) plus $80 for new boards and 3 hours of my time to put them up.

[Christos]

It is good that it is done.