Just noticed a large gathering of bees in the porch roof eave area directly above the front door. I seem to remember this happened once before - within a week they had gone. Any bee experts out there? What best to do? (a bit risky using the front door at present )

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

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They are swarming there will be a new queen bee in the centre of the mass. They are going to find a new place to start a hive. Google local bee keepers, they will come out and collect them from you if they are honey bees. They don't often turn down free bees.

Sounds good! I will try a search now. Thanks. 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Bees are excellent Honey is delicious and healthy! Especially that Manuka stuff (providing its the real deal).

Wasps on the other hand are pure evil. Chase you and sting you just for a laugh and don't do anything positive. We had one in the office last year and I gave it a really good whack with Mjolnir (Thor's hammer)  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
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Yes get a beekeeper, he will put a box and sheet under them, smokes them, they fall off en-mass into the box , he closes box and moves the away At work
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Strange. This evening we heard a loud humming coming from one of the gardens near us. It was definitely a swarm of something. After about 30 minutes it went quiet. Either it's moved on or settled down for the night. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
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They have settled for the night here too. Unfortunately they seem to be in the roofspace of the porch. Doubt a beekeeper will be able to get them to just drop in to a box! Don't want to kill them though.

Doc - these are not wasps. Definitely honey bees: fairly black with striped backs and docile at the moment, I will not test them though!

Have left a voicemail message with a local beekeeper. Hopefully have more info tomorrow.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

brother had a bumble bee nest in his soffits and left them, they returned this year, though use a different entrance, he just left them

Yours might be a roof tile off job to get to the queen, your house insurance might cover it, though their idea might be to spray pesticide on them and leave them in situe Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

The Doctor wrote:

Wasps on the other hand are pure evil. Chase you and sting you just for a laugh and don't do anything positive.

Simon, today's FedEx delivery guy chatted about the bees (he stayed well away from the front door!). Within 5 minutes I had a beekeeper visit as he was the FedEx next drop!
The beekeeper is not too sure whether it is a full swarm but he is coming back later. Agrees it may be a problem getting them out as it will need the porch roof tiles lifting at minimum. (Then the lats, then the felt..).

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

don't forget to film it, if it goes wrong that £250 from You've been framed Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

See if he can find someone with a Bee-Vac.

Also they'll likely know their stuff, but if he gets them into a box, the normal practice is to leave it upside down on the ground, on a tarp or similar, until late in the evening, when all the flyers have returned, otherwise you'll end up with bees flying around the vicinity looking for their cluster.

Npinks:

Simon, thanks for the tip. I will take one step at a time. I am in no rush. Rather not exterminate them 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

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It's not a load of nonsense SimonB, I exaggerate of course but they don't produce nice honey like bees do and they have certainly attacked without provocation many family members and friends. Bees die if they sting but wasps can go nuts. Never had a bee launch an attack while I'm just mowing the lawn. I do gather from people who have been stung by both that a bee sting is worse. Only ever been stung by a wasp though. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

only recall been stung by a wasp, though i have been stung by a bee aswell

i recall the wasp as the bastard stung on my palm when it was dead  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis