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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask WWYD if you had bees in your bird box

54 replies

Idontwanttotalk · 28/05/2019 19:46

My DM is upset that she hasn't see the blue tits going into her bird box for a few weeks. She mentioned she'd seen bees including a huge one (Queen?) so gave it a little shake and soon some bees came out before going back in. We saw the Queen fly off and then come back.

She obviously wants to get rid of them but we aren't sure how to go about it. Do we lean out of the window and put the bird box into a bag and then take it elsewhere and release them? Would we get stung? They're not like homing pigeons are they? Grin

Ideas anyone? (I've googled and they aren't honey bees).

OP posts:
PutyourtoponTrevor · 28/05/2019 19:46

I would leave them well alone and get a new bird box

Saucery · 28/05/2019 19:50

We have had a Bee Take-Over a couple of years in one of our boxes. We did buy another bird box that the Blue Tits nested in.
We thought it was quite sweet how the bees got there first and the Blue Tits did seem a bit perturbed!
Even though the box is quite near the back door they were never any trouble.

BentNeckLady · 28/05/2019 19:51

Just leave them to do their thing. They’re probably bumble bees.

Weedsnseeds1 · 28/05/2019 19:51

Google local beekeepers in your area and ask for advice. Honey bee swarm they will normally take away for you. Other species may have some suggestions

bringmelaughter · 28/05/2019 19:51

Leave them alone. They’ll go at the end of summer. Getting too late for blue tits to use the box nest and raise chicks now anyway.

bringmelaughter · 28/05/2019 19:53

Beekeeper isn’t going to move bumbles so wouldn’t bother contacting beekeepers.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 28/05/2019 19:53

The title sounds like a euphemism!

Yes, I'd either leave them be or reach out to a local beekeeper who may be able to relocate the swarm.

Jamhandprints · 28/05/2019 19:54

Really important to encourage the bee population. Well done for providing a nesting place. They are so important for the environment and future. Google for more info. They won't hurt anyone, you don't need to get rid of them.

UCOinanOCG · 28/05/2019 19:58

Just leave them. Bees are great and very important for the ecosystem.

SnowdropFox · 28/05/2019 20:00

We have the same thing! The bird box was left by the old home owners and we left it up in case birds were looking for it this spring. There seems to be a bee going in and out regularly so I was going to send a picture to the bumble bee trust Twitter account if I couldn't identify it.

letsleepingbabieslie · 28/05/2019 20:00

Canesten combi. Job done.
(Fails to read full post)

SpoonBlender · 28/05/2019 20:02

Keep the bees, ffs. They're having a rough old time.

A new birdbox would be (checks Amazon) £7.59 for two.

SignedUpJust4This · 28/05/2019 20:04

Same here and I love having them. They'll go when summers over.

KitschBitch · 28/05/2019 20:05

We have had bees, the last couple of years they have moved from bird box to under the fascia. They don't bother us at all, no stings so far.

ChequersDog · 28/05/2019 20:13

I think it might be illegal to try and do anything other than move them. You can’t kill them.

Chescasacuriousstudent · 28/05/2019 20:16

My parents had this least year in their birdbox! Blue tits going in and out for years, never nesting, but last year bees made a living in it! They left it be until summer was over and the bees had gone, cleaned it out (I think?) And out it back up. Lo and behold the bluetits have nested and had babies in it this year! Crazy haha but I think the best thing to do may be to leave it be for now, as they may just return if you disturb them.

Serin · 28/05/2019 20:17

We have a bumble bee colony in ours. It's close to the back door and my washing line. They politely move away when I need to put the washing out. Gorgeous creatures.

TheTrollFairy · 28/05/2019 20:19

If they are in a swarm then it will be a honeybee (which sounds like it could be as I don’t think other bees nest in groups but I could be wrong)
Call your local bee keeper. They are really helpful - we just had a load of honey bees removed. It was pretty cool

beela · 28/05/2019 20:19

They will be bumble bees. You could move the whole box but I wouldn't unless they are causing a problem. Just enjoy watching them. They will be gone by the end of August.

DoomOnTheBroom · 28/05/2019 20:20

I would just leave them alone, they'll do their thing for a couple of months and will be gone by the end of the summer. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you.

Beekeepers will sometimes move bumble bees depending on the circumstances and how easy a move it is. FIL is allergic to bees and some set up a nest near his front door, local beekeeper agreed to move it for him for that reason.

TheTrollFairy · 28/05/2019 20:21

I think it might be illegal to try and do anything other than move them. You can’t kill them I don’t think it is illegal to kill bees (sadly) they are endangered not protected. I’m not sure if it’s in general but ones in your house can be killed by pest control from what I have read

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 28/05/2019 20:23

Please let them bee.

Onceuponatime21 · 28/05/2019 20:25

Our box is shared by bees and blue tits. Blue tits use it first, then the bees. But it did mean I didn't get to clean the box out in case the bees were hibernating in there. Anyway, blue tits are in again now, and I'm hoping the bees will be back later. Defo just buy another box.

SheeshazAZ09 · 28/05/2019 20:27

Bees are under serious threat from pesticides and other stresses. Please leave them be and if necessary get another bird box for birds.

SauvignonBlanche · 28/05/2019 20:31

A bird box right by my back door / kitchen window has been taken over by bees and I’m really phobic about any insects but I’m learning to live with them.