the essentials in brief
- Bees are not aggressive and a bee nest is usually not a threat.
- Bees are under protection and they and their nests may not be removed, destroyed or relocated by laypeople.
- Professional relocation is usually very time-consuming, expensive and in most cases unnecessary.
- If your bees are honey bees, you can consult a beekeeper who may be able to do the relocation cheaply or free of charge.
How to recognize a bee's nest
In addition to bees, there are other insects that form colonies and create similar nests. Many of them avoid human proximity, even if they settle in gazebos or in the attic. Most species are harmless and perform useful functions in the garden.
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| Nest cover | habitat | Specialty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bees | unavailable | protected, well-hidden cavities | Honeycomb panels recognizable |
| German wasp | Gray | dark, protected areas | use wood that has been weathered on the surface |
| Common wasp | beige | dark, protected areas | rotten wood from rotting tree trunks |
| hornet | zoned red-brown to orange | rain-protected, dark cavities | Air pockets on the outer shell, with opening at the bottom |
Where bees settle
In the rarest of cases, a swarm of honey bees looks for a new habitat and settles in private gardens. In this case, the local beekeeper is happy to receive information about where his beehive is. Bee nests in the house mostly come from wild bees.
Earth bees
About 70 percent of all wild bees build their nests in the ground. They use existing duct systems in the ground that were left behind by voles or moles. These so-called earth or sand bees can often be seen in the garden. They differ not only in their coloration but also in the body size of honey bees. Earth bees can be between four and 16 millimeters in size. They are completely harmless and pose no threat to humans.
Mason bees
Mason bees often settle in gaps, but are very harmless
These wild bees are not uncommon to be found in the house, under the roof or in the roller shutter box. The harmless culture followers use different cavities in the roof structure or in Flower boxes(€ 149.00 at Amazon *) on the balcony to build their nest. Round and smooth drill holes with a diameter of six to eight millimeters are ideal nesting sites.
How to keep mason bees out of the apartment:
- Prevent nest building and seal cavities before settlement
- Place populated furniture in a shed after the autumn excursion
- Offer hardwood blocks as nesting places on the balcony and terrace
Removing the nest hopeless
It is only possible with great effort to relocate a nest of mason bees. They would have to wait until the larvae are in their cocoons. The nest closure and partition walls are then carefully scratched open so that the cocoon behind it can be carefully removed with a wire.
When all cocoons have been rescued, they are individually placed in the drill holes and tubes of the new nesting aid. The holes must be closed with a drop of clay. Mason bees are fixated on their nesting sites and are unable to complete a new nest. Since there is too great a risk that animals will be injured during this action, you should not do this.
Relocate the bee nest yourself?
Although there are numerous instructions on how to relocate a bee nest yourself, you should stay away 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 among the particularly protected species in Germany. The protection status applies to both wild bees that are not tended by a beekeeper and honey bees. The insects take on important functions in the ecosystem. They ensure that countless flowering plants are pollinated and in this way secure the harvest. Anyone who acts against the law risks fines between 50,000 and 60,000 euros.
It is forbidden:
- Intentionally killing or trapping bees
- Deliberately disturbing bee colonies
- Damage or remove nests
Digression
Bee deaths
Have the 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 the proximity to kindergartens play an important role in the analysis.
Bees are useful insects that live in peaceful coexistence with humans.
Consult beekeepers
Relocation by a local beekeeper is the best and cheapest option. Beekeepers charge an average of 50 euros for relocation. Many beekeepers relocate honeybees' nests free of charge because they can increase their honey production by relocating. If you don't know a beekeeper, you can contact the responsible state beekeeping association or the municipality. NABU can also help you with your search.
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Fire brigade or exterminator only in an emergency
If there is an acute danger, you can also contact the local fire department. Here you have to reckon with costs between 100 and 150 euros. Professional Exterminator can also remove annoying nests. Since bees are extremely useful animals, you should carefully consider your decision and refrain from killing them by an exterminator.
Tips
Bug sprays are poisonous not only to bees and other beneficial insects but also to humans. To keep away, choose ecological alternatives like scented candles or tea tree oil
Relocate the wild bee nest
If wild bees have settled in your garden, you need to consult a wild bee expert. The responsible environmental agency then decides whether the nest can 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 relocation procedure will be selected. This depends on the respective type.
Good reasons for relocation:
- Forest paths must be paved
- Fields and arable land need more fertilization
- Nest is in a private pile of firewood
- Wild bees nest between flower pots or in window seals
Tips
Cut a lemon in half and crumble a clove on top. Bees loathe the smell and naturally stay away from you.
frequently asked Questions
What to do if a bee flies around the apartment in winter?
Young queens look for sheltered places to overwinter in autumn. These can be columns and niches in facades or window frames. If you wake up during the winter due to increased temperatures in the house, your chances of survival are negligible.
You can still help the bee by holding out a teaspoon of liquid honey. Equip a jar with moist soil and tufts of grass and place the bee in the vessel. Put the jar in the refrigerator for a couple of 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. Put the animal in a rain-protected brushwood pile or pile of wood, where the bee can hibernate until next spring. If spring is approaching, you can leave the insect in the refrigerator until the first warm spring days and then put it outside.
How do honey bees live?
The insects belong to the state-building animals that build their nests in spring. Part 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. During the high season, the colony can include 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 population grows and swarms form, which found new states. In the next storage period, the bees collect nectar and pollen. The beekeeper can bring in up to three harvests, depending on the region and the weather.
In late summer there is a so-called drone battle, in which all male bees are banned from the beehive. After the last honey harvest, the bees are usually fed 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 the paths don't cross, you should treat the bees to an undisturbed area in the garden. Create a flower-rich wild plant border that supplies the insects with pollen and nectar. Prefer plants with yellow and white flowers. These reflect the ultraviolet light visible to bees. They are also able to recognize shades of blue.
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 have a deterrent effect on bees and wasps.