them bee killers

[shane1431]

Why is it ok for pest control to kill bee's. I would think that they would be under some kind of protection by big brother. :D

[daknoodle]

Here in the south its two words "killer bees". The media has trumped up AHB so much that the government doesn't like the idea to take chances and in most cases they REQUIRE the destruction of bees that are found outside of the control of a beek.

Doug

[D Coates]

In some states it's illegal to kill them. Many states have them as their state insects (even though they are not native). Missouri and Kansas are two of them.

[NasalSponge]

Oklahoma also.

[Gene Weitzel]

Here in the south its two words "killer bees". The media has trumped up AHB so much that the government doesn't like the idea to take chances and in most cases they REQUIRE the destruction of bees that are found outside of the control of a beek.

Doug

There is no requirement to kill feral bees in Texas AHB or otherwise. It is however, illegal to knowingly keep AHB in managed hives, not that there is anyone around to enforce it.

[ScadsOBees]

When you have a hive in your wall, and can't find a beekeeper that is willing to take them out, who you gonna call? Around here in MI it is quite difficult to find a person to remove live bees.

Keep in mind:

pet dogs = good
wild dogs = bad

Bees in a hive = good
bees in a wall = messy pest

1st choice = beekeeper to save them
2nd choice = leave them bee
3rd choice = exterminator
4th choice = homeowner with a can of raid <-bad

I have no interest in spending many hot sticky hours chopping open a wall to remove them, and have a feeling that most beekeepers are either. And most homeowners aren't interested in spending the 100's of $$ that a beekeeper would charge when an exterminator can do it for $80. Although I recently get a call from somebody who had a fresh swarm IN their chimney flue...and the exterm. was making a special trip out there for $350...I thought about it but I don't have what it takes to take care of a problem like that.

[shane1431]

Oh I see about the "killer bees". I know thy had to be a reason. i do removals and look at it like free bees,honey and getting paid of it makes it sweet.
well be cool and thanks for the info :doh:

[JohnBeeMan]

I get lots of calls where the homeowner says that the exterminators refused to kill honey bees (good guys are out there). It is not illegal in Virginia but I do not like to discourage the myth. I tell the homeowner that killing is not illegal, but just not preferred method. If the colony is in a location that makes extraction impractical I tell them to recall the exterminator and explain that a beekeeper recommended the kill method.

After extractions, I tell the homeowner to use soapy water on any remaining bees. Who needs RAID?

[shane1431]

the ones around here call me and a few other bee keepers. The pest controll don't want to kill them around here, there cool with working with us. i know we need the bee's and wonder why they ain't protected here. It's all good just wanted so info on the subject. thanks:D

[devdog108]

really, soapy water??????

[DRUR]

Yes, really, soapy water to clean them up after the kill, helps wash the blood off and destroy the evidence.

[Terry Small, Jr]

You're funny but right, DRUR. The soap is a wetting agent. The water doesn't run off the bees bodies, so they drown.

[tecumseh]

with the arrival of the small hive beetle I would suspect that at a particular time of the year any removal = extermination. you could possible alter strategey somewhat so that removal = some level of success so that you are only a bee killer 50% of the time.

ps... if you do not charge for removing unwanted hives you have way too much time on your hands.

[devdog108]

I was gonna say that DRUR made me feela little like an idiot...lol, however, drowning them was what i was assuming that it was doing.

tecumseh:ps... if you do not charge for removing unwanted hives you have way too much time on your hands.

I would as long is it wasn't ridiculous. I am retired at 33, so it would be fun, plus my kids are really digging being new beekeepers.....and yes, I have some time on my hands...

[Rebel Rose]

. I am retired at 33, so it would be fun, plus my kids are really digging being new beekeepers.....and yes, I have some time on my hands...

Retired at 33?? Run! Everyone RUN! He is a politician!

Well, most of them do seem to act like they are already retired....:p

Since you do not charge for removals....just how far do you travel for most of your removals? Gas aint cheap unless you are a Rockafeller.

Another question is, are they all worth it?

Sometimes a removal takes hours and lots of cutting....or you might have be up in a hot unfinished attic trying to walk on narrow boards so you do not come through the ceiling...some removal customers ask you to clean the mess up for them and/or seal the entrances with caulking or foam sealer....that can get expensive....just thinking about a few of the worst removals.....

Brenda

[devdog108]

My wife is a SR Sales Director with Mary Kay, and i couldnt even come close to the amount of $$ she was making, so she retired me last year. Now i am a new beek, and stay at home dad.

Here's the way i look at it. They are asking me to come get these pests. Now, during a tearout or whatever, some repairs will have to be made....period. Its those repairs where you can make some $$ if you can work with wood, sheetrock, etc...which i can. I am of the mindset that if I can break even in whatever i do, thats the minimum for me. Down here, there is a central point for bee removals. If they are a decent distance away, this guy will call the other beeks around to see if they would rather. He charges $50.00 no matter what.....I have never done 1, however, i have offered to do a couple and other beeks coming from miles around beat me too it.

[ajs32]

here in ny state it is illegal for exterminators to kill honeybees

[JohnBeeMan]

I do charge to do extractions. $50 evaluation fee in case they say they are going to spray them. $250 for 2 hr minimum and $100 per hour additional.

I will go collect swarms and only charge $20 gas fee if they appear to be able to afford it and especially if the swarm has departed prior to my arrival.

This year has had few swarm calls and most of thyose were dry runs.

[Henry]

What is the chance that I have an africanized hive here in southern KY?
A swarm I caught in April went berzerk like I have never seen before. I went to add another deep, puffed smoke at the entrance and all heck broke loose. Those things poured out on me like you wouldn't believe. And when I popped the inner cover...I had to leave.. and they followed and followed and would not let up. I dont mean a few, a cloud followed me all over the place. When I came out on the porch before dark here they came again and would not let up. I thought this swarm was from one of my own but now I don't know. Most all my hives seem pretty calm. Any ideas? Henry

[tecumseh]

rebel rose writes:
Another question is, are they all worth it?

Sometimes a removal takes hours and lots of cutting....

tecumseh:
fessin' up I will admit I do a removal from time to time... and have never charged for doin' the nasty deed. this generally revolves around the issue of interacting with older folks who may not have the $ to pay the tab. somebody beside god needs to look after them older wider ladies and chillins.. don't ya' think?

in regards to rebel's question... once you know how to make increase even with a high level of sucess in removing hives from building and structures the cost/risk equation just don't work out if you are in an active ahb area. I personally insist on having every nest tested by the state bee lab which requires at least one trip plus about a week to determine origin.

[Gene Weitzel]

with the arrival of the small hive beetle I would suspect that at a particular time of the year any removal = extermination. you could possible alter strategey somewhat so that removal = some level of success so that you are only a bee killer 50% of the time.

ps... if you do not charge for removing unwanted hives you have way too much time on your hands.

Tec, I have found that there are several criteria that greatly reduce the problems in SHB territory:

1. If you get the queen and at least 3 frames of brood with enough bees to cover it, then there is a 90% chance the hive will survive.

2. If you don't get the queen, you better combine with another hive unless you get 10+ frames of brood and 5+ lbs of bees, only then will they be strong enough to raise a replacement queen. You still have to watch them closely and be sure that they are protecting all the comb adequately and adjust their real estate as needed. There is also a greater chance that they will take the new queen and abscond because you can't use an "includer" to keep her in since she has to mate.

3. Do not give them back too much comb with honey and pollen, with the stress that the removal puts on them, they will never be able to protect it all. It is better to feed if needed.

Anything less than these and it spells certain death to the colony no matter the time of year.

I have also taken a different approach on some of the cutouts when I get the queen. Instead of setting them up in their own hive, I use the bees for other purposes (like populating mating nucs, or combine with weaker hives). I cage the queen and introduce her into a 5 frame nuc pulled from one of my strong hives. By setting the queen up in a "strange" hive, it seems to give me a better way to evaluate her genetics (a significant change in temperament being mostly what I am looking for) and all but eliminates the chance that they will abscond. Its been pretty amazing, but so far I have had 100% acceptance of these queens by the nucs. One of the main issues with cutouts is that they tend to blame the disruption on the queen and a large percentage of the time will supersede her. This creates additional stress and opportunity for the SHB. So far, I have had zero of the nucs attempt to supersede the cutout queen. Of course, this method only works if you have plenty of strong hives from which to pull nucs.