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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not kill bees?

22 replies

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 23/04/2015 17:03

There is apparently a bees' nest in the top of a disused chimney on my roof. The builder offered to give me details of an exterminator, but why would I need to kill them? It's been up there for some time without bothering us. It is outside DD's room so there is a risk of them coming in the window, but it's set not to open far, and I have no problem with escorting them out again. WIBU to live and let live? Bees are great.

OP posts:

ShatnersBassoon · 23/04/2015 17:07

It wouldn't be an exterminator that came, it would be an apiarist who would move the bees to a less populated area. It's your choice, but don't be put off having them removed if it would make things easier for you. The builder just used the wrong word I think.

Charlotte3333 · 23/04/2015 17:07

I refuse to accept that anyone needs to kill bees. They do so much good and so little harm that there can be no reason (unless they've built a nest in your pant-drawer, perhaps).

If they're not bothering you or harming anyone, it can't be U to leave them be, can it?

sparkysparkysparky · 23/04/2015 17:11

If you child is OK about you doing the occasional "escort" then leave them. If it becomes a problem extermination is an option. Donâ??t want to get your hopes up given their inaccessible location ( also bee type not clear) but a local bee keeper might be willing to take them - they can do this.
See if you can find a local bee keeper association/ club.

MrsTerryPratchett · 23/04/2015 17:15

I like bees. Unlike wasps; bastards. It must be lucky or something to have a bees' nest on your chimney. I am also of the opinion, without any evidence, that lots of bees keep the wasps away.

Local bee people would like them if they make a nuisance.

LilQueenie · 23/04/2015 17:17

bees are in danger of becoming extinct and harming our entire eco system. If possible leave them be. Im happy to say Ive seen a few bees this year last year I only seen 1.

MaxPepsi · 23/04/2015 17:18

I would get them removed - by a bee keeper. They will be grateful for them.

If they swarm later, which they are likely to do at some point, it can be quite disturbing.

My dad used to keep bees and when they swarmed, which was always in the garden, away from the house, the air was literally full of bees. It was noisy and could last for hours. We weren't bothered as we'd seen it all before but any neighbours or visitors used to shit themselves!

Having said that, is he sure they are not wasps?

Boutonneux · 23/04/2015 17:20

(unless they've built a nest in your pant-drawer, perhaps) lol

Nothing wrong with leaving them there if you're happy to do so. Don't they only nest in one place once? So you'll only have them this year. I think that's right... happy to be corrected if not.

OhNoNotMyBaby · 23/04/2015 17:21

Bees should not be killed under any circumstances! We had a bees nest in my last house. No swarm, no trouble.

Another friend had a swarm in her garden. She rang round and we took the children to go and see it, and watched when the bee lady came and put them all in a cardboard box. Fascinating.

marshmallowpies · 23/04/2015 17:27

A local bee expert would definitely remove them alive and safely, my SIL did this when they had a bees nest and she was very impressed.

whatlifestylechoice · 23/04/2015 17:32

Yes, a beekeeper would be happy to take them if they're causing problems, but if not, leave them where they are. There's absolutely no need to kill them. We need bees.

OhNoNotMyBaby · 23/04/2015 17:34

Obviously the bee lady put the bees in the box, not the children!
Grammar fail....

Fluffyears · 23/04/2015 17:37

You're not allowed to exterminate bees as they are protected. I don't mind bees they have a purpose and only sting as a last resort. It's bastarding multi stinging no purpose wasps I hate with their spiky arses.

YourBubzYourRulzHun · 23/04/2015 17:37

I keep finding honey bees in my house so I just let them climb on my hand and I take them outside, they are so sweet and not aggressive at all. Imagine trying to pick up a wasp, it would go fucking mental!

kinkyfuckery · 23/04/2015 17:39

snort at the bee-keeper putting the kids in a box. Guess some people just don't like kids, huh?

PushAPushPop · 23/04/2015 18:55

I'd never kill a bee! You should watch The Bee Movie

I had a newfound respect for bees after watching this with DD many years ago, it's a great Pixaar movie to teach kiddies about the good they do, too

biology lesson much?

drbonnieblossman · 23/04/2015 19:29

Agree re Bee Movie! I've loved them ever since! Chatty little things!

We need them OP. If you don't want to share with them, have someone come and remove them to a new home.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 23/04/2015 19:34

I thought bees was a protected species.

Crabstick · 23/04/2015 19:39

I though bee keepers only took Honey bee's? Are they honey bees?

silverglitterpisser · 23/04/2015 19:57

Love bees . We had masonry bees in r last house could u have these? Other than mooching about they just don't cause a problem if left alone, they simply do what bees do n I agree with pp actually, they did seem to somehow keep wasps away.

Wonderful creatures. I'd never kill them so , no, yanbu.

MuttonCadet · 23/04/2015 20:02

We have a hive and the bees are aggressive, I'm hoping the beekeeper (we just let him put the hives on our land) will get it sorted.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 23/04/2015 20:35

I thought it wAs illegal to kill a bee. Thought they were a protected species, anyway

Polytropic · 09/08/2015 10:49

Hive bees are almost always aggressive. I live near a beekeeper and his bees cause huge problems to neighbours, chasing and stinging. People think they are similar to wild bees and wasps but they are usually far more aggressive. Tell the beekeeper to get them off your land as quickly as possible.

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