Need some help

[Robo]

I'm putting together an article on bee removals and I am in need of some photos of the aftermath if a colony is killed by an exterminator and not removed.  If anyone has taken on a job that was improperly done by an exterminator and have pictures,  I would love to be able to use them.   Photo credits will be given.   The intent of the article will be to convince homeowners that having the bees removed alive by a beekeeper is the most cost effective means in the long run.  Please PM me if you have some pictures that you think would be useful.

Thanks,
Rob....

[JP]

Rob, I have some recent pictures of one I am about to do where an eradication was attempted. There are thousands of dead bees on a window sill & a pile of dead bees on the carpet underneath a hole in the ceiling where they attempted the eradication.

I may also have a picture or two of deep, dark honey stains on brick exterior where a prior hive was exterminated.

Would you be interested in any of these pictures?


...JP

[iddee]

I don't have pics, but I do want to be on the mailing list for the article when it is finished.

[Robo]

JP,  Yes I would definitely be interested.

Iddee,  If you're up to it,  I wouldn't mind running it by you and JP before it goes out.

[iddee]

Would love to see it.

[hardwood]

I wish I could help Rob. The only pics I had that might be useful burned up along with my computer in the house fire. I'll keep my eyes open for something you might like though!

Scott

[Robo]

Thanks Scott...

I know pictures are worth a 1000 words and I think it would be useful for all of us that do removals to have something to show prospective customers what the cheaper alternative could lead to.  I would say 98% of my customers are truly overwhelmed by the size of the nest and number of bees once I get the cavity open. And this is "after"  I have tried to explain it to them before hand.

[Poppi]

Rob,  you put my mind to work on this one...   I hadn't thought about it before, and I will talk to my local beekeeper's club....   but what do commercial exterminators do...  would they call someone to remove the colony or would they take the easy road for the money...   I hope they would call the beeks assoc.  to remove bees before killing them...   I guess I will call some of them tomorrow and give you a report back\...

John

[Robo]

For an exterminator to do it right,  they would still have to open up a cavity and remove all the dead bees, wax, brood, and honey.   Otherwise it becomes a big rotting mess and will not only draw other pests,  but can do damage to the structure.   Most exterminators I know,  prefer to stick with wasp & hornets, where they can come, spray, collect and leave.

[AllenF]

Maybe someone will post some pics here for all to see.

[JP]

Just look at these honey stains!

https://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/July282008#5228465494360603666

Attempted eradication: https://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/May282008#5205789128260540882

This colony had been sprayed many times by a large pest control company over several yrs is what I was told. Look at how ugly it got in there! Notice the honey stains on the brick just below the soffit.

https://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/April182008

Rob, here's a real dandy one. The small hole under the drinking fountain was the entrance. A pest guy injected a white insecticidal dust into the hole and all over the surrounding concrete.  https://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/BeePics03#4949325957966004242

Now look where the hive is actually located. To the left. PCO did squat, took the bacon and ran!

https://picasaweb.google.com/pyxicephalus/BeePics03#4949325978425819154


When y'all get imageshack working again I can post some more recent ones.


...JP

[TwT]

I had a few picture of sprayed hives, but sorry man I think they are on my computer in Ga, cant find them on this one.

[Poppi]

Hey Rob...  I called two of the "biggies" here locally and they seem to be aware of the necessity to capture, not destroy the bees...  so they have phone numbers to call if it is a honeybee hive so a local beek can try to do a cutout first.   This is a good thing...   John

[Country Heart]

Good luck with the article, Robo. 

[G3farms]

Yesterday I was told by a potential customer that the pest control guy said he would loose his license if he killed honey bees, last year I heard that it was illegal to kill them. Not sure where they are coming up with this information but it sure helps me out.

JP since you are a licensed pest control company (CPO?? is that right???) do you know what they are talking about?

[Robo]

G3,

I have heard that as well from some customers.   

1) I believe it is a convenient way to get out of a job that they don't want to mess with.
2) I have also heard that as an exterminator, you can only use pesticides as labeled(registered) and that there are only a few that are labeled for honeybees.  If an exterminator doesn't use these particular pesticides, they are technically violating their license.  Perhaps someone can confirm this, sounds probable, but I have no first hand knowledge.

[iddee]

It varies from state to state. In NC, it is "highly recommended" that they find a beek. Unless the law has changed in the last couple years.

In layman's terms, ""you have to see me to renew your license, so I better not hear of you killing honeybees without VERY good cause"".

[JP]

I don't know of any law that says its illegal to kill them.


...JP

[Robo]

JP,

Thanks for the photos,  I may end up using some of them. If I do, I'll let you know and give credit.  If you come across anything that shows interior sheetrock staining,  rotting brood nest, etc let me know.   The more graphic the better when trying to convince people there is an issue.

rob...

[JP]

Rob, I put together a video of one just for you. Will post it soon.


...JP