Bee Removal

Pest control services in Northampton, Daventry, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Towcester, Brackley, Market Harborough and all surrounding areas.

Bees are an essential part of our eco-system, by collecting nectar from the plants, flowers, crops and trees they pollinate the plants, helping them to grow, breed and produce food. The vast majority of plants we rely on for food rely on pollination. There are over 200 types of bees in the UK and the different types require different treatments. Bees are not a protected species and can be treated, however as 25% of bee types are endangered, we will always explore other avenues like relocation and will only consider eradication as an extreme last resort.

Bee Swarms

Swarming is the honey bees natural way of forming new colonies. A swarm of honey bees is a large cloud of usually thousands of bees which is temporarily formed whilst the bee scouts search for a new nesting site. These swarms may temporarily settle in a tree or shrub, and they will normally move on within 24-48 hours. It is advisable not to approach or disturb a swarm, the chances of being stung are very low, but it is best to keep away. We recommend contacting us or another beekeeper as soon as you spot a swarm, otherwise they may take up residence in a chimney or other part of a property, which can become very expensive to remove once established.

You can find your nearest honey bee swarm collector using The British Beekeepers Association Swarm Collector map which can be found here: https://www.bbka.org.uk/swarm#swarmmap

iX5 Pest Control

Additional Services

Honey Bees

At iX5 Pest Control we have our own apiary which is located deep in the Northamptonshire countryside. Whenever we are called out to deal with a bee nest or bee swarm removal, honey bees are always rehomed either in our own traditional wooden hives or we gift them to other bee keepers. To find out more about our Honey Bee Service please click here.

Bee Removal

Bees usually choose a sheltered area to nest. In domestic settings this can be under roof tiles, in wall cavities, in the eaves of garages and sheds, in chimneys, on tree branches, and some species will build their nest in the ground often utilising abandoned rodent holes. It is worth noting that bees do not generally cause damage to property nor do they pose a danger if left alone and unprovoked. However, they can swarm which can be alarming and they can nest in extremely inconvenient places. On warm summer days bees are generally more active, so, it is understandable that we get a lot of calls for bee nest removal and bee swarm collections.

If you do have concerns regarding bees get in touch with iX5 Pest Control. We will conduct a thorough survey and detail our recommended solutions, including advising on preventative measures. We use a range of control strategies depending on various factors such as the location, the extent of activity, and any sensitive receptors or non-target species.

We offer bee removal services for domestic premises and businesses in Northampton, Daventry, Rugby, Market Harborough, Towcester, Brackley, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Olney and all of the surrounding areas. Our team of specialists are available both evenings and weekends at no extra cost. Should you require assistance call us on 01604 328545, email [email protected] or use our simple contact form.

BUMBLE BEE FAQs

Most frequent questions and answers

What do bumble bees look like?

The mental image of a bumble bee is probably the same for a lot of people worldwide – a round, furry body with black and yellow stripes. However, there are in fact 24 different species of this beautiful insect. They vary in size and colour and without realising it, you’ve more than likely seen a red-tailed, yellow tailed or even a buff-tailed bumble bee!

Do bumble bees make honey?

Bumble bees can make honey, and it is supposedly sweeter tasting than the honeybee’s offering. However, this is not stored in the same way as honeybees do in wax comb, and bumblebees only ever build up a very small supply because they don’t need to store food for the winter. There is not enough to be collected and used by humans.

Where do bumble bees live?

Bumble bees are known to nest underground, often in old mammal burrows or other cavities. They can also be found under rocks or paving slabs, in empty bird boxes, in lofts, or in compost heaps in gardens. The nests quite often resemble a pile of debris because they’re lined with warm materials including animal fur, leaves, litter or even housing insulation.

What do bumble bees eat?

Bumble bees gather pollen and feed it to their young. Because of this, they need to be able to access a range of flowers and plants. They also trap and absorb nectar with the hair on their tongue. If you ever happen to find a bumble bee looking exhausted with no bee friendly flowers around, it helps to feed it a 50/50 mix of white sugar and water which provides a well needed energy boost. It is strongly advised not to give them honey or brown sugar.

How long does a wasp’s nest last?

Nests are normally live and active for around 6-7 months (April to October) and tend to die out by mid to late Autumn. The temperatures start to drop at this time of year and this helps to naturally kill off the nest.

Are bumble bees protected?

Over the last century, two species of our native bumble bee became extinct leaving only 24 left. Sadly, eight of these are currently a conservational priority due to a decline in their distribution. Despite this there is no actual legislation in place to protect any bees in the UK.

However, there are lots of conservation steps being taken by various organisations to protect and enhance bee populations generally.

Do bumble bees sting?

Bumble bees can sting you, but the good news is that they’re generally fairly calm and tranquil. It will only be the queen bee and her workers who sting, but that will usually only happen if they feel that they or their nest are under threat. Although you’re not likely to feel too much pain from it, you’ll certainly know that you’ve been stung!

How long do bumble bees live?

The worker bees have a somewhat short life span, often only living for 4-6 weeks. This is why we encourage people to live with them and their nests if they can – they are only around for a very short time over the summer months! The new queens from that season live on to establish new colonies the following season, so they will only be around for just over a year.

Do bumble bees die when they sting?

Unlike their honey making relative, a bumble bee does not die when it stings you. They have a smooth, straight sting rather than a barbed one, which means they’re capable of stinging multiple times. Luckily for us, they’re a rather docile and non-aggressive species.

Do bumble bees hibernate?

Whilst the rest of the colony dies off at the end of the summer, the newly mated queen bumble bees go into hibernation. After filling up on nectar and pollen to build up crucial fat stores for the winter months, they can be found hidden away in array of different places. These hideouts are normally north facing so the winter sun doesn’t disturb their slumber – they might choose loose soil, hollow trees, log piles, lofts or even flowerpots!

Are bumble bees dangerous?

Bumble bees are gentle and easy-going as a rule. But like many creatures, if they feel threatened or feel that their colony is in danger will they sting. If a nest is accidentally disturbed, they may set upon the person responsible. This can often happen when mowing the lawn or tidying up in the garden, shed or garage. They generally pose a low sting risk to humans but it is always best to treat stings immediately (if necessary) and observe them closely in case of allergic reactions.