Honey bees
During the warmer months honey bees may collect on your garden shrubs or in some instances on your property. Usually they will not stay for longer than a few days and if left alone, will remain harmless. We can provide a list of local bee keepers who will capture and safely remove them.
If the swarm remains and develops into a thriving colony, say in your chimney or beneath a garden shed, then you may need to contact a builder to provide suitable access and remove honey and comb.
By Law the Council cannot leave honey or comb that has been treated with powerful insecticides in a situation where other bees and insects have access and can forage on it.
Bumble bees, masonry bees and solitary bees
Generally these bees are instantly recognisable and are found in very small numbers, often flying in and out of a small entrance hole in the ground or sometimes brickwork of your house.
Bumble bees and masonry bees will never attack you if left alone and normally do not present any serious risk to health.
Serious risk situations
In some rare situations it may be necessary to destroy the bees. Our Pest Control Officer will offer advice and only in exceptional and unavoidable circumstances may offer treatment to destroy the bees. Please note that there will be a charge for this service (non refundable), even if treatment is not carried out.
Wasps
Wasps are aggressive creatures by nature and will sting when disturbed. Wasps do not care who or which animal they sting and often sting with little or no provocation. Wasps live in nests that are usually found in roof space, air bricks, cavity walls, garden sheds, trees and even in flowerbeds.
When a visit by the Pest Control Officer is requested there is a charge (non refundable) even if there is no treatment or if the wasps are identified as bees.