How to handle possible bees nest in home siding. - Ask Extension
Hello! We have a client who purchased a home that seems to have an active bees nest in the siding: Bees have been observed coming in and out of the ga...
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How to handle possible bees nest in home siding. #879993
Asked August 03, 2024, 1:37 AM EDT
Hello! We have a client who purchased a home that seems to have an active bees nest in the siding: Bees have been observed coming in and out of the gap(s) between the siding. How can we manage these bees and repair the exterior? Thanks for reading and any guidance!
Clackamas CountyOregon
Expert Response
Hi Christina,
It's a tough situation; something a new homeowner doesn't want to hear. What happened was that a honey bee colony that had swarmed at some point in the past discovered the cavity and moved in to occupy. Under the siding there will be comb and 10-50,000 bees occupying a cavity around 10 gallons in size.
How to get them out? You will need to find someone who does these kinds of removals. I did a podcast with a group in Douglas Co talking about it, and you can hear how involved the process is. The place to start is to locate a local bee club and see if there is anyone in their networks who does removals. You can a list here: https://orsba.org/Resources1
Most beekeepers know this is an involved task and will let you know if they have the tools and experience to complete the job. Also, this will be something they will charge for as the value of the bees to them does not offset the effort.
Hopefully you will be able to find someone with experience who can help with the removal.
