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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get rid of the bees (humanely)

36 replies

SeriousCreativeBlock · 14/04/2016 14:02

I have a huge phobia of any stinging insects. Whenever I see even one, I'm left panicking, unable to breathe properly, my heart races, and I end up in floods of tears.

Today we discovered a huge swarm of bees on DD's playhouse and in next door's bush.

I'm aware that bees are important to the environment as pollinators etc.

We can't afford for a beekeeper to come and collect the swarm. I don't know what to do about them though. I can't leave them be as I will be a sobbing mess by the end of the day.

So WIBU to dispatch DP to get rid of the bees without harming them? Currently he's talking about starting a bonfire (!)

OP posts:
kali110 · 14/04/2016 14:02

How though? I thought bees were protected?

kali110 · 14/04/2016 14:03

I do have sympathy as im terrified of anything that stings but i try my hardest to help any bee as our numbers are so few and just decreasing Sad

gleam · 14/04/2016 14:04

Are you on Facebook? Could you ask for a local beekeeper to collect them?

Original poster
SeriousCreativeBlock · 14/04/2016 14:04

As far as I know they're not protected. I've been looking up natural deterrents, but there seems to be debate about whether things like peppermint or tea tree oil actually work...

OP posts:
NeedACleverNN · 14/04/2016 14:05

go and Google a beekeeper

They won't charge as it's free bees

They will swarm (no pun intended) to collect them

persobal experience

Believeitornot · 14/04/2016 14:05

Do you have to pay for a beekeeper to come?

They'll move soon. We had the same and they buzzed off.

Believeitornot · 14/04/2016 14:06

Leave them be! They'll be gone tomorrow.

Herschellmum · 14/04/2016 14:07

There will be local bee keepers who may be able to come get them. Just google beekeeper uk or something, think there is official group type thing. Probably be free they way.

JapanNextYear · 14/04/2016 14:07

As above, google local beekeepers, advice and/or they'll come and collect them. Friend had this and the guy turned up in a suit and collected them all up. For free.

tilder · 14/04/2016 14:07

Bee keepers may well pay you for them.

Please don't try and kill them. Am sure a quick Google will find a local bee keepers group who will be more than happy to help.

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 14/04/2016 14:08

Just find your local beekeeping association and someone should be able to come and remove the swarm.

Google it. There will be a local place to contact and they'll advise you. Please don't do anything yourselves or have someone harm them. Bees really are very, very precious.

Herschellmum · 14/04/2016 14:08

*that

Sorry typing on phone one handed with sleeping toddler on lap.

tilder · 14/04/2016 14:09

Agree to the swarming bee keepers. They will thank you for it!

FankEweVeryMuch · 14/04/2016 14:09

It depends on the type of bees. We've had two separate 'bee issues' over the past couple of years. Both times bee keepers have said to leave them bee (see what I did there) and they'll leave soon enough.

First time our neighbours killed them Sad and second time we left them and they went pretty quickly, certainly in less than a week.

Bee keepers are only interested in certain types of bees, bumble iirc?

Original poster
SeriousCreativeBlock · 14/04/2016 14:11

Thanks for all the advice will Google beekeepers now I'm calm.

I just want to emphasise I have absolutely no desire to kill the bees/have them killed! I know how important they are despite my horrible, irrational phobia

OP posts:
Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 14/04/2016 14:12

Firstly bees are a protected species. He'll find himself in serious trouble if he harms them. Also not wanting to add to your fears but the surving bees will attack.

I think the best thing you can do is keep DD inside away from her play house as you wouldn't want her to disturb their nest, and look on line for bee keepers. The council may be able to help. I don't know about pest control I mean are they classed as pests. You could try them though.

FinallyFreeFromItAll · 14/04/2016 14:13

Some bee keepers will take them for free. Look some up in your area and give them a call.

At a previous house, I had them make their hive in a birdbox near the backdoor. Bee keeper came and got them - he seemed as happy to be getting them, as I was for getting rid. That was a bad summer for stingy things, we had wasps make their home in the wall at the front of the house

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 14/04/2016 14:14

No your phobia is not irrational. It's very rare for bees to attack, but when they do. Their little shits. It hurts like hell a bee sting. I abd I guess others can totally understand your fear

WaterWorld · 14/04/2016 14:14

Where are you? A local beekeeper would likely be pleased to collect them. DH recently paid for a swarm about £175. We have hives in our garden. Where in UK are you? We are North West.

LittleLionMansMummy · 14/04/2016 14:16

Love bees, hate wasps - the little homicidal psychopathic maniacs. I'd think nothing of putting a wasp nest on the bonfire if I wasn't convinced they'd escape and hunt me down mercilessly. But please dispose of the bees humanely - our world depends on them!

To get rid of the bees (humanely)
GreenMarkerPen · 14/04/2016 14:16

agree with everyone else. contact a beekeeper to have a look.
bees usually do not sting, they are far far more interested in pollen& nectar.

ArcheryAnnie · 14/04/2016 14:17

A bonfire won't really help.

Have you contacted the beekeepers' association (www.bbka.org.uk/help/do_you_have_a_swarm.php) and explained the situation? If you find out how much it costs, then you can make a decision. It's bound to be cheaper than burning your garden down - and even if it isn't, if you say you have a swarm but no money, they might help you anyway.

This would be the safest and most responsible path to take to get rid of them.

FankEweVeryMuch · 14/04/2016 14:20

They don't want bumble bees but want honey bees. They'll give you advice either way so definitely call your local one, a quick google will tell you their number.

SquidgeyMidgey · 14/04/2016 14:24

We had some last year right on the front of the house. They don't sting unless they feel threatened so I would keep your children away just in case but they will be gone in a week or two.

Biffa44 · 14/04/2016 14:24

The good news is that swarming bees are usually very docile and harmless. Before they swarm they gorge on honey and are carrying so much inside that they physically would have difficulty stinging, also the queen is at the centre of the swarm giving out so many pheromones that they stick to the task of finding a new site for a hive whilst keeping the queen safe, so at the minute they will not be interested in anything else going on, unless there is a direct threat to the queen. A bonfire would be the worst thing to do, as apart from killing a very important colony (honey bee numbers have been decreasing for years) you will make any survivors very angry and they will do their best to sting, full tummies or not.
A local beekeeper should come and happily take them away - phone your council who will give you contact numbers.
Bees are fab, please do not harm them.