Bee's in Attic

[gsganzer]

Bee\'s in Attic

The wife killed about 10 honey bee's in the master bath this morning. Then she got to listening. She can hear a hive in the attic above the master bath or high in the wall. I'm guessing they swarmed and found my attic to be an acceptable home site. I don't know why they'd choose my attic, they have to feel hotter then a road lizard up there.

I need advice before I climb into the attic and begin getting stung by angry bee's, hitting my head on the rafters and putting my foot through the ceiling. Should I tackle this one or leave it to a professional? I don't know how I'd remove the hive, but I'm sure the redneck in me can devise a plan. It doesn't mean I'd be successful, but I'm sure it be entertaining for the on-lookers.

 

[MarkLeininger]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

We had a huge hive in our wall. We waited until winter and then opened the wall and cleaned it all up. You probably don't have the winter option in Texas. I know they can spray something on an exposed hive to freeze it, inactivate the bees, and then bag the hive and take it away. But if the hive is not out in the open I don't know what you'll do in a warm climate. Hopefully someone with experience in your area can help. I agree, do it yourself if you can. No one cares about your house as much as you do.

 

[BB_TX]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

Check your local yellow pages for beekeepers. I know there are some listed in the Dallas yellow pages, if not in your local ones. You might also try calling the local police department to see if they know of any local beekeepers.
A beekeeper will come out and, if possible, get the queen and whole swarm and take them off. If he can't get the queen, he will have what it takes to kill them.

 

[SPIKER]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

I agree with the local bee keeper idea, as some of them MAY have hives in you're area who decded to vacate! and take up residence in you're attic, be sure to charge them rent, a few days worth of honey per week should surfice! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I would also watch out as I was watching TV last night and low & behold they found MORE killer bees nesting some place down you're way, when some guy was stung!!! anyhow I know they are in you're area from the news...

mark m /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[daedong]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

Leave it to the professionals, There was a guy here in Sth OZ that died about 2 years ago trying to move a hive. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

If the bees are finding a way into your master bath then my suggestion is not for you to mess with the hive. If you aggravate them you just may end up with more than a few angry bees inside your home and that would not be good. I agree with the others, check your yellow pages for a good exterminator and let him do battle with the pests. It's a lot safer for you and your wife.

 

[LMTC]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

GET A PRO! 1. had yellowjackets do the same in our attic, started finding them hatching during warm spells in winter. Got a pro. Now have eaves, etc. treated each fall.
2. Friend had bees nest in attic.....decided to fog the house, but first wanted to open a hole in the ceiling (they had bored through the drywall in one place). As he attempted to widen this hole, about 3' x 4' of ceiling came down, complete with part of the hive and gazillions of bees. He was luck to make it out of the house, and the cleanup was not pleasant. Good luck.

 

[Alan L.]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

We had bees in our ceiling (no attic space) back in May. I called and nobody would come out for less than $250. For that amount of money I plugged the hole where they had been getting in and haven't heard a peep out of them since. Probably not an option in the attic, as there are many places they would be getting in. In that case, a pro will probably be necessary.

 

[8NTX]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

Many years ago, my new wife and I rented a duplex as our first place together. A swarm of bees took up residence in the attic. No way to get into that area. Beekeeper said he would have to go in through the ceiling, but advised against just exterminating the attic to kill the bees, because the honey would start dripping through the ceiling ruining everything in sight. His explanation was that the bees flying around the honeycomb is what kept it in there. With no bees, the honey will essentially "melt" and make a huge mess. The landlord ending up having the ceiling removed, then the hive - it was huge.

 

[boustany]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

I'm a beekeeper (only my 2nd year). My understanding is, you want an expert (i.e. a beekeeper) to look into this for you. The probblem is not killing the bees. The hive has to be removed or other bees will take up residence. And yes, the honey, etc., can make quite a mess.

You might ask for advice in 'The Exchange' at www.beesoource.com. Its a site alot like TBN: people are helpful and civil.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could find a local beekeeper through beesource.

An yes, it may cost you some money. Would you for for a few hours in a hot attic helping a stranger deal with a critter that scares the stink out of most anybody, can damage a house, etc., for free?

It reminds me of the story of an old mechanic who was pulled out of retirement by his employer. They had a problem they could solve. He studied the problem for a while then used a piece of chalk to mark a part of the machine with an 'X' and gave them a bill for $200. The boss said 'thats outrageous, $200 for an X? I need a bit more detail. So the mechanic wrote on the bill: piece of chalk $1, knowing where to put the X $199.

 

[srs]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

gsganzer, how long has this problem existed? I would think that if you just started to hear the noise maybe the hive might be relatively small. In that case if you could locate the entry point to the attic and seal that opening the problem would stop. Of course as others have mentioned if it is a huge hive you've got the messy problem of dealing with "honey" leaking down. I, like you, think of this as a challenge and would try to correct it myself first before hiring a professional. Well maybe not so much as a challenge but that I'm cheap. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[SageBrush]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

It all depends on where the hive is. If its hanging in the attic its not a big deal. The hive in a wall could require much more. Dish washing soap works well as a way of killing bees.

A Beekeeper would be a good starting point. Most are not scared of moving live hives and that may be better than killing the bees and then having a big mess to clean up. A fogger could also be used to advoid getting the dry wall or gyp board wet. There are also ways of getting bees to move into a new hive, once in the new hive they will "rob" the honey stores in the old hive and leave it dry. But, that will take a Beekeeper.

 

[texbaylea]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

We had bees in the wall this spring. Could not find a beekeeper as many have moved their hives or gone out of business due to the africanized bees. Call a local exterminator to treat them. They were getting in through the hole in the wall for the A/C plumbing. They pumped boric acid in the wall and sealed the opening with foam. They also dusted that end of the attic. Did not get all the bees but apparently motivated them to move on. Took about two weeks. Cost less than $100.

Vernon

 

[gsganzer]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

We're starting our remodel and addition in a few weeks. I'm doing most of it myself (the remodel, the addition 's by others). I'll "very gingerly" take a peak when I tear out the sheetrock. If it's a major hive, I'll call in the pros. If it's small, I'll figure something out. I figure I'll just reach in the hive real quick, grab the queen and take off running. The others should follow.


Just kidding!

 

[srs]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( We're starting our remodel and addition in a few weeks. )</font> Let us know what you find in there. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[IrTxRx]

Re: Bee\'s in Attic

gs,

you can contact you local county extension agent. They were very helpful to me. If you can collect about 50 bees (use a 5 gal bucket filled with soapy water with a half-full coke can floating in it) and store them in alcohol. they will test them free of charge for you to see if they are africanized or not. This may help you in your decision to "do it yourself" or spend the $$$ on a professional.

Good luck