Bees in our roof

sand_hun

Every summer we have bees accessing the side of our property via gaps at the base of a pitched tiled roof.

While their activity makes our terrace an unwelcoming place to sit and relax, they haven't caused any actual harm. If I remember correctly they stay for a few weeks and then we don't see much of them until the following summer.

However, my wife is intimidated by them and wants to see if the nest can be moved elsewhere by pest control.

Has anyone had similar experiences?

I'm wondering if we should we look to get them removed or perhaps consider waiting until they've done their thing and then block the holes to prevent them from returning next year. 

grumbler

Some recent thread -  Live Bee Removal Cost

koalakoala

Some household insurance policies cover removal.
But why have you let it go on for years?

Alanp

What type of bees are they, bumble bees are few in number, maybe a dozen or so and are relatively harmless, honey bees have a bigger colony and may stay in their nest for years, speak to a local bee keeper , they will usually move them for free as long as they don’t have to climb onto the roof..

neilmcl

Sounds like tree bumblebees to me, in which case they are extremely docile and harmless. As you know they'll only be around for a couple of months but they'll give so much benefit to your garden. I'd just leave them. 

pollypenny

We have have bees, too. The trouble is that we have a bungalow and they 'congregate' at the corner of the house and path, so they're not that high above our heads. 

They were there about five years ago then went, so OH blocked their access. Sadly they reappeared this year. 

According to the council, we are not allowed to remove them. 

neilmcl

pollypenny said:

We have have bees, too. The trouble is that we have a bungalow and they 'congregate' at the corner of the house and path, so they're not that high above our heads. 

They were there about five years ago then went, so OH blocked their access. Sadly they reappeared this year. 

According to the council, we are not allowed to remove them. 

You're not allowed to move them yourself but you can them moved professionally by a licensed bee keeper.

sand_hun

I think they are honey bees, I could of course be wrong. Here's a couple of photos.

Alanp

They are bumblebees there’s not many in a nest leave them be, they’re great for your garden they’ll be gone by august

lemondrops69

What are they doing to intimidate her?

neilmcl

sand_hun said:

I think they are honey bees, I could of course be wrong. Here's a couple of photos.

As I suspected, tree bumblebees (Bombus hyponorum), unmistaken by their furry ginger thorax and white tails. They do no damage, and rarely sting, and if you're worried will be gone in a month or two.