Many people are afraid when they discover a nest in the garden or in the attic. They fear a danger to themselves and their children. But if you want to remove the nest, you have to consider a few aspects.

Bees are not welcome everywhere

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. identify a bee nest
  3. habitat
  4. Relocate bee nest yourself?
  5. Have honey bee nest removed
  6. Relocate wild bee nest
  7. frequently asked Questions

    8. the essentials in brief

    • Bees are not aggressive and a bee nest usually does not pose a threat.
    • Bees are under protection and they and their nests may not be removed, destroyed or relocated by laypersons.
    • A professional resettlement is usually very time-consuming, expensive and in most cases unnecessary.
    • If your bees are honey bees, you can consult a beekeeper who may do the translocation cheaply or for free.

    How to recognize a bee nest

    In addition to bees, there are other colony-forming insects that build similar nests. Many of them avoid human presence, even if they settle in gazebos or in the attic. Most species are harmless and perform useful functions in the garden.

    nest cover habitat special feature
    bees unavailable sheltered, well-concealed cavities honeycomb plates visible
    German wasp Gray dark, sheltered spots use superficially weathered wood
    common wasp beige dark, sheltered spots rotten wood from rotting tree trunks
    hornet reddish brown to orange zoned rain-protected, dark cavities Air pockets on the outer shell, with bottom opening

    Where bees settle

    In the rarest cases, a swarm of honey bees will look for a new habitat and settle in private gardens. In this case, the local beekeeper would be happy to receive information about where his bee colony is. Bee nests in the house mostly come from wild bees.

    ground bees

    About 70 percent of all wild bees build their nests in the ground. They use existing burrow systems in the ground left by voles or moles. These so-called earth or sand bees can often be observed in the garden. They differ not only in their coloring but also in their body size from honey bees. Earth bees can grow to be between 4 and 16 millimeters in size. They are completely harmless and pose no danger to humans.

    mason bees

    Mason bees often settle in gaps, but they are very harmless

    These wild bees are not uncommon to find in the house, under the roof or in the roller shutter box. The harmless culture followers use various cavities in the roof truss or in flower boxes (16.99€) on the balcony to build their nest. Round and smooth boreholes with a diameter of six to eight millimeters are ideal nesting sites.

    How to keep mason bees out of your home:

    • Prevent nest building and close cavities before settling
    • Put the inhabited piece of furniture in a shed after the trip in autumn
    • Offer hardwood blocks as nesting sites on balconies and patios

    Nest removal hopeless

    It is only possible with great effort to relocate a nest of mason bees. You would have to wait until the larvae are in their cocoons. The nest closure and partitions are then carefully scratched open so that the cocoon behind it can be carefully pulled out with a wire.

    Once all the cocoons have been saved, they are placed individually in the boreholes and tubes of the new nesting aid. The holes must be closed with a drop of clay. Mason bees are fixated on their nest sites and are unable to complete a new nest. Since the risk of animals being injured during this action is too great, you should avoid it.

    Relocate bee nest yourself?

    Even though there are numerous instructions on how to relocate a bee nest yourself, you should refrain from such methods. It does not matter when the nest is to be relocated. The risk of injury is too high for you and the bees, even if it is still a small bee nest.

    Legal situation

    Bees are one of the most protected species in Germany. Conservation status applies to both wild bees that are not cared for by a beekeeper and honey bees. Insects assume important functions in the ecosystem. They ensure that countless flowering plants are pollinated and thus secure the harvest. Anyone who breaks the law risks fines of between 50,000 and 60,000 euros.

    It is forbidden:

    • Deliberately killing or capturing bees
    • intentionally disturbing bee colonies
    • damaging or removing nests

    digression

    bee deaths

    The term bee mortality refers on the one hand to the losses within the beekeeping culture. In recent decades, they have observed significant losses in their bee colonies. But as long as there are beekeepers, honey bees will not die out. The term is also used as a technical term that refers to the death of wild bees. More than 50 percent of German wild bees are on the red list of endangered species. In the media, the term bee mortality is often used as a synonym for general insect mortality.

    Have honey bee nest removed

    In order not to risk a legal penalty, you should contact a professional. This can assess whether the nest can and must be relocated. Points such as existing allergies in the family or proximity to kindergartens play an important role in the analysis.

    Bees are beneficial insects that live in peaceful coexistence with humans.

    Consult beekeeper

    Translocation by a local beekeeper is the best and cheapest option. On average, beekeepers charge 50 euros for a resettlement. Many beekeepers relocate honey bee nests for free as they can increase their honey production by relocating. If you don't know a beekeeper, you can contact the responsible state beekeepers' association or the municipality. NABU can also help you with your search.

    youtube

    Fire brigade or exterminator only in an emergency

    If there is an acute danger, you can also contact the local fire brigade. Here you have to reckon with costs between 100 and 150 euros. Professional exterminators can also remove disturbing nests. Since bees are extremely useful animals, you should think twice about your decision and refrain from destroying them with an exterminator.

    tips

    In addition to being toxic to bees and other beneficial insects, bug sprays are also toxic to humans. To keep away, choose ecological alternatives like scented candles or tea tree oil

    Relocate wild bee nest

    If wild bees have settled in your garden, you must consult a wild bee expert. The responsible environmental agency then decides whether the nest may be relocated. In order to get a permit, there must be a valid reason. This exists when not only humans but also wild bees are endangered. If the decision is positive, a suitable resettlement procedure is chosen. This depends on the species.

    Valid reasons for relocation:

    • Forest roads must be paved
    • Fields and fields must be increasingly fertilized
    • Nest is in a private firewood pile
    • Wild bees nest between flower pots or in window seals

    tips

    Halve a lemon and crumble a clove on top. Bees detest the smell and naturally stay away from you.

    frequently asked Questions

    What to do if a bee flies around the house in winter?

    Young queens look for sheltered places to hibernate in the fall. These can be gaps and niches in facades or window frames. If they wake up during the winter due to increased temperatures in the house, their chance of survival is negligible.

    You can still help the bee by holding out a teaspoon of runny honey. Line a jar with moist soil and tufts of grass and place the bee in the jar. Put the jar in the fridge for a few days. The cold-blooded animals reduce their metabolism again.

    If you are still in the middle of winter, you should move the bee outside on a frost-free winter day. Place the animal in a rain-protected pile of sticks or wood where the bee can hibernate until next spring. If spring is coming, you can leave the insect in the fridge until the first warm spring days and then put it outside.

    How do honey bees live?

    Insects are among the social animals that build their nests in spring. Some of the old bee colony swarms out to look for a new home. This gives the bees enough time to stock up for the winter. In high season the colony can number up to 50,000 individuals. It consists of a queen, workers and drones.

    What is the bee year?

    The bee year is divided into four phases, which are linked to the seasons. In the spring the colony grows and swarms form, founding new states. In the subsequent storage period, the bees collect nectar and pollen. Depending on the region and the weather, the beekeeper can bring in up to three harvests.

    In late summer, the so-called drone battle occurs, in which all male bees are banished from the hive. After the last honey harvest, the bees are usually fed with a beet sugar solution. The winter bees hatch and hibernate in the hive until spring.

    How can I keep bees away?

    A peaceful coexistence of humans and bees is not only harmless but also fascinating. So that paths do not cross, you should give the bees an undisturbed area in the garden. Create a flowering wild plant border that provides pollen and nectar for insects. Prefer plants with yellow and white flowers. These reflect the ultraviolet light visible to bees. They are also able to discern blue hues.

    On the other hand, they cannot distinguish between black and red. These colors make many bees aggressive, which is why you should avoid dark-colored clothing. If you want to keep bees away from the balcony and terrace, you can set up plant pots with basil and lemongrass. The smells act as a deterrent to bees and wasps.

Category:

Animals in the garden