Bumblebees

[RayMac]

I hate having to kill off bumblebees but sometimes you just can't avoid it.
A chipmunk dug a small hidey hole right at the corner of my front porch concrete steps and lately a small colony of bumblebees took it over. I normally would leave them undisturbed but it's in a place where grandkids and other visitors might be stung.
So yesterday I assassinated the queen and her consorts with wasp killer.
Today i got a bunch of limestone screenings and packed the hole full of gravel.
I really hate having to kill off such an interesting and useful bug but there was no other alternative.

[chuckmiller]

Capture and relocation wasn't possible?

[scottjc]

Surely there's a local beekeeper that could have moved them for you?
I understand your safety concerns but bees are in trouble these days and we should do everything we can to avoid harming them.

[Der Amf]

Apparently (ie Google told me....) finding someone to shift a bumblebee nest is rather harder than finding someone to take your honeybees

[scottjc]

Apparently (ie Google told me....) finding someone to shift a bumblebee nest is rather harder than finding someone to take your honeybees

I disagree. Having completed a beekeeping course over the last few years I know that council pest control departments have local beekeepers on their books who will remove bees of all kinds. I remember helping my mentor to move some aggressive tree bumblebees from somebody's chimney.

[Donf]

Oh man - can see the headlines now:

"Retired Canadian Slaughters Beehive - No Survivors"

You saw what happened to that dentist for killing one lion. Imagine the field day they'll have with you - and that was a male lion, not only did you murder a female, but she was pregnant.

[Strela167]

On a side note . A fir tree near the front door is smothered in wasps at the mo. Never seen before. Assume after sap.

[Strange]

I like bees. This makes me sad.

[Seriously]

Capture and relocation wasn't possible?

Vacuum cleaner. .......

Wait, did I hear something about a chipmunk?? ... I need pictures of him cos I've only seen cartoon ones 'til now

[Nokie]