One of the many questions we get for honeybee removal is…how much will it cost me?
The cost of removing honeybees is not a pest we budget for, as we never think it will happen to us, but few people have spare funds put aside for dealing with any pests. Unlike spending on holidays, buying a new pet, or a car, the expense of pest removal provides no tangible benefit beyond resolving the issue permanently, except that it can help with anxiety, worry, and sleepless nights. If pests like honeybees are not removed due to cost considerations, the expense of dealing with them later on will likely be even greater. Especially if the hive splits several times leaving you with more than the 1 nest you originally started with.
- Mould and Damp Problems: Honeybee hives can create moisture and humidity within walls or structures where they reside. This can lead to dampness and mould growth over time, which will be seen inside your property, potentially damaging the integrity of the building and creating an unhealthy environment. The presence of dampness can also attract other pests and compromise structural integrity.
- Rotting Comb and Unpleasant Odours: If a honeybee colony is abandoned or dies within a structure, the honey and wax in the comb can start to decay and emit foul odours. Rotting bees or comb can produce unpleasant smells that permeate the home, and these odours will only worsen as the colony ages over time before it eventually perishes from one of many issues that can cause it to not survive. So even a dead colony can attract a new swarm to repair it, or secondary insects which may infest your home.
- Infestation by Secondary Pests: Leftover honey and comb can draw in secondary pests like wasps, hornets, robber bees, and ants. These pests can become a nuisance and may pose additional risks to the structure or occupants of the building or neighbours who will eventually complain of the issue.
- Attracting Other Insects and Pests: The presence of honey and comb can also attract other unwanted pests such as spiders, slugs, rats, mice, ants, wasps, hornets, wax moths, and woodworm. These pests can further contribute to the deterioration of the building materials in your loft, basement, floorboards, or any structural areas.
- Structural Damage and Hygiene Concerns: Over time, if not addressed, the presence of honeybee colonies and associated pests can cause structural damage to the building. Additionally, the hygiene and cleanliness of the space may be compromised due to the presence of decaying organic matter and associated pests. Honey can saturate wooden beams and cause rot to occur or attract woodworms to that area. We have witnessed ceilings collapse due to this specific problem occurring!
- Safety and Comfort: Having a colony of honeybees and associated pests within a living or working space can create safety concerns and discomfort for occupants or neighbours. Allergic reactions to bee stings and the general presence of pests can be unsettling.
- Costs and Hive Growth: Honeybee colonies can grow quite large over the years of establishment, which means additional costs may be incurred to remove more building fabric to access and safely remove the hive. This can involve significant labour and renovation expenses. So the quote you may be given one year, will no longer be valid after 12 months, and will cost more to have the bees extracted due to the extra building fabric required to remove them later on. Honeybees can build around 1 m² in the first year, then around 0.5 m² to 1 m² per year subsequently. They never go away in the winter. They are dormant, hibernating as there is no food to collect, the cold, icy, or wet conditions will simply kill them, so they stay huddled inside the nest waiting for spring to arrive, where they emerge and collect nectar and pollen again. We have removed colonies that are 3 weeks old to 25 years old. The cost of the 3-week-old was a fraction of the cost of removing a 25 m2 ceiling to get the 25-year-old colony out.
- Fire Hazard: In certain situations, a beeswax comb left within a working fireplace can pose a fire hazard. Beeswax is highly flammable, and if ignited, it can lead to a dangerous situation within the home, especially chimney fires that can spread into the attic. We advise never to use your log burner or fireplace if you are aware of bees inside your chimney.
BEEKIND Pest Control is your number one choice when it comes to having honeybees successfully removed and rehomed at their apiary. Their experienced, trained, and insured professionals can safely relocate the bees, address any associated pest issues that may have arisen from the colony residing in your home, and ensure that your property is restored to a safe and pest-free condition. Prompt action is essential to mitigate potential damage and restore the comfort and safety of your home or building. Contacting a reputable pest control service like BEEKIND Pest Control can help you navigate these challenges effectively and responsibly. We even guarantee our work, that’s how good we make sure the proofing is! We are trained and insured to remove bees from all residential, commercial, and grade-listed buildings plus carry out minor reinstatement works.