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Go away, bees!!
An-D
EnthusiastAshevilleRegistered User regular
EnthusiastAshevilleRegistered User regular
So, I just moved to a house on a lake. There is a nifty little boathouse and a little wooden ceiling-shelter thing next to it.
And during the day, that thing has like a dozen bees swarming all around it. I've sprayed that 12-month Home Defense stuff all around it. I've tried Wasp poison (unless I drench one of them with it, its completely ineffective). Lighting fires nearby (because why not. Bees hate smoke, right?). I even tried lighting one of those little citronella candles. These things won't go away. And they're kinda aggressive when I try to go down there and swim and stuff. They're bullies.
Bees!
Here is a picture of me trying to defend my land:
I've been watching them, and I've found holes in the wood that they go into. I've squirted poison in there at night, and it doesn't really seem to have much of an effect. I got some Gorilla Glue (it expands!) that I'm going to squirt into all the holes tonight. Try to block them in. Would that work?
I know there is some kind of crazy disappearing bee problem, but these bees suck. They're taking the fun out of my summer and it'll make having parties down there super hard. I want them gone. What can I get that will make them want to leave? Some kind of substance that they don't like the smell off? A certain kind of spray that'll knock'em right out? Should I cover myself with honey, flail about down there, take the stings and when they've all died and I'm in great pain, call it a victory?
And during the day, that thing has like a dozen bees swarming all around it. I've sprayed that 12-month Home Defense stuff all around it. I've tried Wasp poison (unless I drench one of them with it, its completely ineffective). Lighting fires nearby (because why not. Bees hate smoke, right?). I even tried lighting one of those little citronella candles. These things won't go away. And they're kinda aggressive when I try to go down there and swim and stuff. They're bullies.
Bees!
Here is a picture of me trying to defend my land:
I've been watching them, and I've found holes in the wood that they go into. I've squirted poison in there at night, and it doesn't really seem to have much of an effect. I got some Gorilla Glue (it expands!) that I'm going to squirt into all the holes tonight. Try to block them in. Would that work?
I know there is some kind of crazy disappearing bee problem, but these bees suck. They're taking the fun out of my summer and it'll make having parties down there super hard. I want them gone. What can I get that will make them want to leave? Some kind of substance that they don't like the smell off? A certain kind of spray that'll knock'em right out? Should I cover myself with honey, flail about down there, take the stings and when they've all died and I'm in great pain, call it a victory?
An-D on
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I advice not to poison them, as feral bees are really dying out and that is just a sucky thing to do. I definitely wouldn't mess with their nests.
Not sure if they are protected under US law, in most European countries they are and I really advice against poisoning endangered species just for your convenience.
How agressive are we talking here? Have they stung you more than once?
EDIT: Obligatory:
Also I don't mean to be harsh, I know it sucks having them stingy buggers around and I am absolutely phobic when it comes to wasps, but I just think it's best if you can find a local guy who knows about bees.
I haven't been stung yet, mostly because I run through that structure really fast like a little girl whenever I have to go to the boathouse. Or I just jump in the lake. But if I'm nearby, they do that 'buzzing really really close to you' thing, over and over and over. Not really divebombing but close. Makes me super nervous. I have friends that are allergic - another reason I want them gone.
I don't necessarily have to kill them. Ideally, I could put out a bucket of like...vinegar or gasoline or something bugs may not like, and just have sit there on that table for a few days until the bees decide they've had enough of it. Is there a substance like that that anyone can think of?
Fortunately, wood bees aren't usually aggressive. They will leave unsightly holes in your boathouse, but that's all that's likely to happen. But if you want them gone, you've got the right idea -- insecticide in the holes at night, then caulk or plug the holes. Search teh webz for the most effective insecticides to use on wood bees.
When they're not as active tonight, I'll spray 'em down and plug up the holes.
This is what you're looking for if that's your plan.
http://www.amazon.com/Charcoal-Companion-Amazing-Bug-Zapper/dp/B00008GS96
They're pretty amazing. They work like a charm.
If their mere presence is enough to worry you, do what that link posted above says. However, you'll most likely have a recurring problem unless you fully treat the boathouse by replacing the wood or making it inhospitable for future nests.
Your friend isn't crazy. Around here we use whiffle ball bats, but I think that's just for the extra challenge.
If you find you are able to access their burrows fairly easily, some WD40 is also pretty disagreeable to their systems.
Just a friendly note though, don't let your drunken friend get ahold of one and then shock the crap out of everyone at a party.
Smacking carpenter bees with a tennis or badminton racket is one of the simple pleasures of life.
It's all like, SWISH *THUNK* BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz. And then you chalk up another mark and think of all the money you're saving by not having to replace the eaves on your house this year.
Basically, you are free to take the lazy way out and ignore them.
they're harmless so what i basically do is yell at them
alternately plugging their holes with aluminum foil tends to work
Registered just for the Mass Effect threads | Steam: click ^^^ | Origin: curlyhairedboy
Do it early at dusk. Bees usually are inactive during hours of darkness & will huddle together in the nest for warmth. For added depravity, set sealed-nest on fire.
Wasp Trap How-To
easy to make, I also recommend pouring in some pop or any sugar drink in the bottom.
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2243176
Edit: I'm trying hard to remember what my parents did for carpenter bees. They have wooden window frames in the large windows on the front of the houses, and the carpenter bees started boring into them. I think my dad was plugging up the holes, but I don't remember what he used. I'll fire off an e-mail and see what he says.
That's too bad they killed them all off since they were actually honey bees.
Still...the little pyro boy in me shed a single tear of admiration.
And that's why we are running out of wild bees.
Thanks morons! :^:
Seriously though, your bees aren't aggressive so there really isn't any reason to kill them, unless you just enjoy killing things...
Whilst a couple of dumb rednecks having a moronic torchfest may have not exactly helped the problem, it's hardly the main reason for colony collapse disorder. Not unless they're really dedicated to their pretty vile activity.
Granted it isn't the main reason, but how many times a year does something like this happen and isn't documented?
This is your property, it's your sanctuary, and you should let it be known.
It's all fun & games until the hive decides to expand further into your home. Before you know it, you'll find your family cocooned to the walls w/honey, small little bee-eggs in front of them, waiting to lay a little bee-facehugger onto their mouth!