Bees falling down flue?

[Elasticsong]

So, I was sitting watching some Olympic action when I could hear tapping on the flue of the woodburner. On close inspection, I could see 2 or 3 ash-covered bees inside the fireplace. I could hear buzzing from within the flue too.

I went outside to check the chimney pot expecting to see a swarm there, but all I could see were several (max 6 or so at a time) bees 'buzzing' the pot.

I released the bees from the fireplace and have lit a small fire in an attempt to smoke them out... I am not brave around bees. They are still up there around the pot.

Does it sound like I may have a small swarm in my chimney pot? Is there such a thing as a small swarm? WWYD? Any suggestions gratefully accepted.

Thank you - off to google masonry bees now...

From what I've just read, I think you could be right. Hopefully though, today has been a one-off weirdness and my fire (on such a warm day) has compelled them to move on.

I really wish I'd never watched that Killer Bees film when I was young and impressionable!

Ouch! Oh crap...

You learn something everyday!

We had this every summer in our old house. They were masonry bees. Nothing stopped them, worried there was a nest so had chimney swept but nothing up there. They would come down the chimney and head straight for a window. Often I would come home to dead bees on the window sill! They would stop mid sept as the weather cools then back again following year.

How odd. I would be a bit disconcerted at that I think though I'm sure it's fine. A pigeon came down our chimney a few weeks ago, made a right bloody mess.

Roar at flue for fanjo! Never heard that before.

Hmm. Think I'll leave the door of the woodburner open tomorrow so they can fly out (providing there aren't too many of them).

Thanks all.

Guadalupe, saw a pigeon / chimney incident once when in France on an exchange - noisy, messy and hilarious watching the family (and the pigeon) flap!

It was so noisy!

Sunday morning and everyone in bed, we wondered what on earth was going on. There was a pile of chimney rubble on the hearth and sooty wingprints all over the wall.

It flew out of the door when we opened it and seemed ok though I imagine it must have hurt a bit.

We have masonry bees. Unfortunately, when it's warm, they get active, come into the house then die. The first time I heard them I thought there was a swarm in the chimney too.

Good news is they don't sting, or hardly and rarely.

Bad news is they quietly damage the chimney by burrowing and lay eggs that emerge the next year. Would probably take a long time to do bad damage but it will gradually happen.

lottiegb, thanks for the news, good and bad. I've just been reading about the damage they can do - dammit. Thing is, our house is 180 years old but I haven't noticed this bee thing before today. Surely they've made a mistake in choosing a chimney that's used for 6 months of the year?

I'm hoping so...

We had this! Really freaks you out, doesn't it. We got a chimney balloon and that seemed to stop them, but then we didn't use the chimney at all. Guess you'd just have to remember to remove it when you want to light the fire!