Re: honeybees in wood siding

Hard to count, but I think there are around 40 hovering at one time until I
apply citronella oil. Then they stop moving in and out for a short period.
At this point the incoming exceed the outgoing and the number of hoverers
ups to 70-100. It doesn't take long before they start moving in and out
again, though.

I can approach the bees without a shirt on and they don't attack. Applying
the oil doesn't anger them. Neither does beating the board to close the
crack (it slowly comes open again). The bees that have dropped to the ground
are drones (no stinger). Definitely honeybees or a damn good impersonation.
Like this: http://www.dadant.com/journal/toc/images/WhiteFlowerwithBee36.jpg

I'd never heard of Jeyes fluid, but a Google search gets an ingredient list
of: tar oils 60-70%, vegetable oil soap 10-15%. Other descriptions include
"phenol-based" and "foul-smelling". Doesn't appear to be imported here. Pine
Sol is a pretty stinky disinfectant and I have some. I'll see how the bees
feel about that.

Would scout bees hang around for 10 weeks?

Thanks,
D.


"Peter Edwards" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in
message news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> However, I see from your other post that you think that there are only
> around 100 bees (presumably that is in total, not the number flying
outside
> at any one time?).  If so, then I do not think that you have a problem!  I
> would suggest that they are either scout bees - and a swarm may arrive
> later - or perhaps bumblebees rather than honeybees?
>
> If they were bumblebees in the UK then I would leave them (beneficial,
> pollinators); if scout bees then I would convince them that they were
trying
> to choose the wrong home by painting Jeyes fluid around the entrance.
> (Jeyes is a carbolic based disinfectant - not sure if you have it, but
> something like that should do the trick).