Removing wild bees from a chimney is extremely problematic. Many people often do not realize that trying improvised methods, such as lighting a fire, is very dangerous. Since the wax melts at low temperatures, it is inevitable that it will liquefy and flow down the chimney. Once this happens, it can be difficult to control the whole situation. When the wax gets hotter, it can reach the flash point and could ignite, causing a fire in the fireplace that could easily become a great danger to life and home. Here's how to remove bees from a chimney safely and effectively.
Steps
Step 1. Learn about bees and chimneys
You need to know that bees benefit from air flows and that they rarely nest in poorly ventilated places, so updrafts along the walls and in chimneys of chimneys perfectly suit their preferences. Additionally, a fireplace consists of an internal flue and a perimeter wall, so there is usually a space or cavity between them that makes for an ideal home for bees.
Step 2. Determine how and why bees enter the chimney
You will be more successful if you approach the problem through the main entrance used by bees. Depending on the way the house is built, there are several possibilities for the access of bees, therefore observe them bees to find out where they come from.
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First, carefully examine the vent holes in the chimney. The bricks of the external wall should have vent holes that allow to eliminate the accumulation of moisture in the cavity where the flue itself is housed. Look for the vent holes at the height of the knees, just above the streams of damp present in the bricks. Unless the house has vents over the vents or insect screens, bees have easy access to the chimney cavity through them, and this is often found to be the main entrance to the colony of wild bees..
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Second, look closely at the opening at the top of the chimney to see if there are bees coming and going. If the bees enter in this way, this generally occurs through an imperfect joint in concrete about 30 centimeters from the top, between some sections of the flue.
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Thirdly, there is sometimes a chimney that narrows the chimney outlet, and if so, bees usually build their nest inside the main chimney of the main chimney, perhaps at around 75-80. cm down.
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Step 3. Get rid of the bees, with professional help
You won't be able to do much trying to get old combs out of the main chimney (or cavity) if you don't get rid of the bees. The most sensible way to do this is to ask for the help of someone expert in pesticides to pour permethrin powder along the flue and into the cavity in which it is housed.
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For application along the chimney, powdered permethrin should not be applied with pressure. Just sprinkle a cup full of dust along the chimney to do a good job.
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If, however, bees are entering through the vent holes on the sides of the chimney, the same dust must be introduced into the cavity through each vent hole.
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It will generally take only four to five minutes for the permethrin powder to take effect and clear the cavity of bees. However, there will be bees hanging around the area for another couple of hours.
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Step 4. Avoid starting a fire
If the flue houses the metal flue of a slow-burning stove, do not light a fire in the stove. The melted wax, flowing down the chimney, can catch fire like a blowtorch, and you could lose your home due to the fire.
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In this case, use permethrin powder to exterminate bees.
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Once the bees are completely gone, you will probably need to remove the inside of the chimney to clean it properly.
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Step 5. Change the airflow to prevent the bees from returning
Regardless of any other precautions you may have taken, increase the flow of air in the area that bees use to live. This will discourage new infestations, but cannot prevent other colonies from searching for honey.
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If the top of the chimney was previously covered with a concrete capsule, it is best to lift the capsule a little so that the bees can sense that the cavity is now repulsive.
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Do not try to seal the top of the flue with a metal mesh. Bees always find a way in and get frantic when trapped.
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Step 6. Remove the honey
Let other colonies' natural "foraging" activity continue. This is the easiest way to clean the chimney of honey. Once the honey is finished, the remaining wax dries to a papery consistency.
Step 7. Remove the remaining wax
After each "foraging" from the other colonies, use a long hook or some spoon-shaped utensil on top of a long handle to get rid of the rest of the wax. As much as possible, be sure to remove all remnants of the hive.
Advice
- Ask the area to find out which pest control experts have experience in removing bees.
- Use an expert who has experience with bees. Find out, in particular, about previous experience with bees before choosing one.
