Live Bee Removal Cost

Chloe_G

Has anyone got experience of these companies?  I need some honey bees removing from my roof but can't seem to gauge what price they charge. They all seem to charge to come out to do an initial survey and I can't really afford to pay out £200 to get a quote from a few companies and then find out it's too expensive for me to proceed.  I realise each situation is going to be different but I just read a review where the customer ended up paying £8000 for his chimney to be rebuilt and this has worried me!  Also read differing opinions on their guarantee that the bees will not return within a certain number of years - would this guarantee be worth the paper it's written on??  Will the roof void be sealed and then I'll end up with a damp problem?  Thanks.

stuart45

Most of the bee keepers I know will take them away for free if they need them.

Belenus

How accessible is the roof?

Can you find a local beekeeper who will remove them free of charge or for a small fee?

Chloe_G

Been down that route - they're not insured to work at height.  I am going to have them removed alive but want to make sure I'm dealing with reputable people. . And I'm not going to end up paying a huge amount this year and then next year they're back in a different section of the roof.  I just saw one company was advertising for franchisees with no experience needed and it rang alarm bells with me.  It seems to be a very new industry. 

Chloe_G

stuart45 said:

Most of the bee keepers I know will take them away for free if they need them.

They are in a very inaccessible place and could only be cut out of the fabric of the building.

stuart45

Are they in your chimney flue?

Belenus

What will or might happen if you leave them alone?

Are they doing any damage or are they entering your house and causing a nuisance? 

They will mostly die off later this year except for the queen. Perhaps then you can have their access blocked off.

stuart45

Main problem is if they are in your flue and you light the fire.

Chloe_G

They are three storeys up between a flat roof and the ceiling lying horizontally so can only be accessed by cutting through ceiling, roof or removing bricks. Beekeepers told me they need a swarm to be hanging and are not insured to work at height etc.

neilmcl

Chloe_G said:

They are three storeys up between a flat roof and the ceiling lying horizontally so can only be accessed by cutting through ceiling, roof or removing bricks. Beekeepers told me they need a swarm to be hanging and are not insured to work at height etc.

What makes you think they are honey bees? That sort of location would lead me to believe they are tree bumblebees which are completely harmless and have a very short life cycle, ie between March and July.

Also look on the following site for reputable beekeepers in your area - https://www.bbka.org.uk/find-beekeeping-near-you

Chloe_G

Thank you.  They are definitely honey bees.  A beekeeper has identified them.