Dilemma

[moxy 617]

I rehomed a nest box which bumbles had taken up residence about a month ago and brought it home.

All well and good, they come and go as they please and don't cause us any bother.

 

For a couple of weeks I have been noticing the odd wasp or two but just shrugged it off and put it down to nest raiding for larvae.

However battle has commenced and although some of the aeriel combat and fights have been spectacular it just can't carry on!!

 

I had a poke about the other day and there's a bloody wasp nest growing and the bee numbers have declined.

Wasps enter the hole and go up. Bees enter and go down and every now and again there is a bit of a ruckus and peace returns, albeit the odd casualty from both sides.

 

I can't have the wasps. Not with my kids playing in the garden. And I don't really want to kill of the bumbles.

 

Any suggestions??

 

I can access the box through the bottom. What do you reckon my chances are of splitting them up lol.

[BRY 79]

Tape up the entrance hole, access the bottom and try remove the bees into a bucket. Then treat the wasps ? but i would take the bird box away from the area its in, as because as soon as you start causing a vibration + taping the hole up Queenie Wasp will sent out a distress signal calling in workers from the surrounding area which will be there to defend as soon as .

 

Good luck

[jonah. 775]

i've no idea how you'd go about it but, given the state of the bee population in this country and how crucial they are to the land, i'd kill the wasps.

problem is, i dont know how you'd do that.

good luck.

[Hot Meat 3,109]

braver than me to try an seperate them, i think id relocate the whole thing an let nature take its course, i hate wasps with a passion tho

[moxy 617]

Thanks for the reply BRY.

 

I had thought of that. Typically bumbles nests are not fixed but the wasp nest will be so you could be right. They may just drop out into a sack.

 

If I was going to tackle it that way I would do it at night to ensure both parties are in the box, snug.

 

Could be the answer. Cheers.

[BRY 79]

no probs Mox. key is NOT TO PANIC also . Last thing you want to be doing is rushing it then dropping the bird box so all the lot comes out on you lol

[DIDO.1 22,864]

Just rehome the whole thing to a local organic farm.

[moxy 617]

no probs Mox. key is NOT TO PANIC also . Last thing you want to be doing is rushing it then dropping the bird box so all the lot comes out on you lol

Lol. I will be wearing my smock.

[moxy 617]

Just rehome the whole thing to a local organic farm.

They won't take any more!! I must have a dozen bee boxes up at the farm. Lol

[moley 115]

could you not just dust the entrance to the wasps nest and let them carry the stuff in ?, not that i know much about dealing with insects, just makes sense

[moxy 617]

could you not just dust the entrance to the wasps nest and let them carry the stuff in ?, not that i know much about dealing with insects, just makes sense

No it doesent quiet work like that. With not actually knowing what's going on in the box I wouldn't want dusted wasps dropping down on to the bees or causing a full on riot.

Most will read this and think dose the lot but I'm quiet fond of the little bumbles.

I will open it tomorow and it can go one of a few ways.

 

I somehow get my fuzzies in to a bag in one lump.

I end up with full on aeriel combat with both species and I make them both homeless. That sending them on their separate ways.

Or I forget about it all and wipe out the lot.

 

Tommorow will tell.

[foxtails 272]

try and keep the bumbles ,

[moxy 617]

Well the wasps won over the bees in the end.

As I left it over the weekend the wasps blocked up the main hole and stayed in their masses at the entrance.

Thought I would have a gander tonight as I hadn't seen any bees.

 

Game over now though.