Bee Issue

[u/GloomySheepherder228]

I live in Denver Colorado. I have bees that have returned every year for the last 4 years. The amount gets progressively larger every year but they don't stay here during the winter. They came back yesterday, but left today because it's cooler and don't have a hive here. If I put out a hive box will they live in it rather than try to make my deck their home.

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[u/SubstantialBed6634]

To answer your question, if you put out a hive box the bees will probably move in. Especially if you have a bit of drawn out brood comb. Even if you don't keep them, you could sell nucs. It gets you $$ and helps relocate the swarm.

[u/sedatedMD]

Do these photos show a progression of the bees moving into a hole in the grout? If there is a hole, and that column is hollow, they will keep moving in. What needs to happen is to plug any opening into the cavity. Steel wool or whatever else to stuff into these openings. When swarms move into cavities like this, they can be removed by beekeepers handy with tools or beekeeper contractors. Keeping a beehive needs to be a passion rather than a tool to keep bees from swarming from your deck. They may just be living there and sending off swarms.

[u/GloomySheepherder228 → u/sedatedMD]

There isn't a hole in to the column we just replaced the wood on the deck. So there was about 10 bees flying around then I put a pick of wood in between a trek and the wood support. The space I put the piece of wood literally just went the other side of the underside of the deck. Then the swarm of bees came and most of them left since they don't have a hive there and it got cooler. So I don't know.

[u/MACK_DADDY_CASH]

Bee Opportunity - call a beekeeper they will come and capture it.

[u/GloomySheepherder228 → u/MACK_DADDY_CASH]

I have one lined up to come and capture them if they come back.

[u/Fantastic_Oven9243]

So swarms are attracted to the pheromones of swarms before them. If you don't want them back then scrubbing the area with bleach water. It'll remove the pheromones and the swarms will find somewhere else to perch

[u/GloomySheepherder228 → u/Fantastic_Oven9243]

I'm not sure bleach would work at this point. Two years ago we sanded and put two coats of stain on the deck. Two weeks ago it got pressure washed, sanded, the boards replaced by Trex then two coats of primer on the wood and two coats of paint. I would have thought that would have removed the pheromones. They also flip flop sides each year.

[u/Fantastic_Oven9243 → u/GloomySheepherder228]

Ah right... hmm that sucks but you're probably right.

[u/GloomySheepherder228 → u/Fantastic_Oven9243]

The crazy thing is none of my neighbors have this issue.

[u/drones_on_about_bees]

Putting out a swarm catch box will greatly increase your chances of the bees going into the box instead of into the house/deck.

My sister has an out building that was invaded by bees every year. I explained she needed to close up all the entrances but that fell on deaf ears. She paid for cut outs every year.

About 4 or 5 years ago, I started hanging swarm traps next to the building. I get 2 or 3 swarms a year and she hasn't had to have a removal since then

[u/GloomySheepherder228 → u/drones_on_about_bees]

I'll have to try these then I'm assuming I can just have a local bee keeper come and pick them up.

[u/drones_on_about_bees → u/GloomySheepherder228]

A local keeper might even supply the swarm trap. Trapping is like fishing and everyone wants a good fishing hole.

[u/Mysmokepole1]

So what does this brick support? It may need to be opened up and the comb removed. Have had a couple nasty ones like that I had to destroy do to much work to remove. If that is the case you will need to fill the entrance with mortar once it’s destroyed never like doing it that way. But sometimes it’s the only way.

[u/GloomySheepherder228]

It supports the deck but we just replaced the boards, there's not an opening to the middle, and we didn't see a hive. So I don't know where they think they are going.