Pete:

>>I think you are putting too much emphasis on the responsibility of the pest control operator and not enough on the home owner. 

It’s a voluntary program.
If the pest control company follows 
bee friendly guidelines, they will 
get recognition for it. If they don’t 
they won’t. 

>>1) DIY. For less than ten bucks you can get a big can of non-toxic wasp and hornet killer (contains detergent, mint oil, etc). But they have to seal up the cavity, obviously, or the problem will recur. 

I do not think a can of hornet 
killer sprayed into a hole will
be effective in killing a mature
colony. I can’t begin to count
how many bee removals I went to
with 2 or 3 empty cans of wasp
killer laying on the ground 
which were emptied into the void
without the desired effect. 

I also consider your advice not 
so complete.  What do you tell
them later that summer, when 50 pounds 
of honey start dripping thru the drywall 
and other pests start showing up for 
a meal?  the damage can soar to hundreds
of dollars. 

As a licensed pesticide applicator, 
I do not advise homeowner on ‘do it 
yourself exterminating’,  this can
be dangerous. This, I have to say
is simply bad advice. 

>>2) Hire somebody to kill the bees. I don't think most pest control operators do home repair, nor should they be expected to.

They most certainly do minor repairs.  
For effective control of rodents 
for example, the procedure is to repair 
access points.  Caulking, screen, cement
all used to eliminate harborage for all
pests. 

>>3) The most expensive option. Hire a beekeeper, who may have to tear away boards, etc. and charge an arm & a leg.

My fee to remove a colony is about
$150 more than what exterminators 
charge to kill a colony. If they
were exterminated, it would 
cost the homeowner an additional 
several hundred dollars to have 
a contractor come in to remove 
the honey from the wall and re
assemble.  So humane bee removal 
is very cost effective.   

>>They are a nuisance and a serious risk when in a house. 

Not always…
Colonies can remain in houses for years
without the homeowners knowledge. 
I know of a few colonies in churches,
and houses, they have never posed a 
serious risk or even a nuisance. 

>>People should not be made to feel guilty about having to kill bees that have invaded their houses. 

The act of educating the consumer 
does not surmount to an attempt
to make them feel guilty.  I have never 
advised a homeowner not to kill bees.  
But after they are given a clear and
detailed explanation of all options,
most will opt for removal of the colony
by a beekeeper. 

Best Wishes
Joe Waggle
FeralBeeProject.com

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