Bees
Our pest control officers will not apply bee treatments unless there is a serious threat to human life.
Pesticides can only be used in extreme situations where safety is threatened. We would need to consider access, remedial work and the cost and we must make sure that pesticide residue is cleared away so that honey bees do not become contaminated.
The best option is to just leave bees alone to complete their seasonal cycle, which is good for the ecosystem around your home or premises.
It is vital to protect our bee population, so sometimes bee nests can be relocated. This depends on the individual situation, and the costs can be high. Different types of bee may need treating differently.
How can I stop them coming?
There isn't much you can do to stop bees from setting up home in or around your property. If you keep an eye out for any bee activity, like nest building in the spring, it is much easier to relocate them if necessary.
Honeybees
If you suspect you have honeybees and they are causing you problems, you should use a swarm collector from the British Bee Keepers Association, or get in touch with the Tree Bee Society. In most cases, they can come and collect the swarm free of charge.
Identification
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust has a useful page on the differences between a bumblebee and a honeybee. They also have a useful page on identifying different types of Bumblebees.