What is the Structural Extraction List?
In addition to the Swarm list the MDBA maintains a Structural Extraction list. This list consists of local companies that perform structural extraction of bees and comply with state regulations regarding such practices. The Mt. Diablo Bee-keepers Association assumes no liability for and DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY STRUCTRAL REMOVER(S).
Who needs structural removal and why?
Once a swarm has entered a structure it is no longer a swarm, it is a colony. The new colony will immediately began to build wax and establish a comfortable new home for themselves. Within one day they can produce as much as 4lbs of wax and honey in the new hive.
A whole swarm of bees can enter a structure through a hole the size of a pencil so virtually any structure is susceptible to a bee invasion.
Honey bees often find a home in the eves of a house, and other infrequently inspected areas like chimneys, sheds, electrical boxes, unused vehicles or water shutoff boxes. These new colonies can go unnoticed by the owners for months or years. This lack of definite timeline makes determining the size of the colony and the amount of comb hidden in the structure difficult to estimate.
 When this happens structure owners have a few different options. Solutions that are generally proposed are; chemical means leading to the bees death, exclusion, trap out, and live extraction of the bees.
Chemicals: As you can see by the picture to the left, when bees are located in a wall or ceiling their comb can become extensive; culminating quite a distance from the entrance to the hive. If chemicals are sprayed or placed in the supposed entrance to a hive the bees are often able to circumvent the sprayed area, find a new entrance and continue living in their home. Spraying chemicals or in any way destroying or killing a colony of bees is the role of a pest control applicator. Performing any of these functions without proper licensing is strictly prohibited by the state pest control board and violators are actively pursued and prosecuted resulting in fines and/or jail time.
Exclusion: Bees can be excluded from entering or exiting their hive through various methods. People believe that by doing so the bees will die due to starvation or dehydration. While bees may die without water, they are not without resources when they are trapped. Bees have their honey to eat and most homes have plenty of small holes through which the bees can make a new entrance to their colony. If fully sealed into a cavity bees can create a new way out, often into the owners home through holes for lighting. Bees are creative and they can chew through substances. Exclusion alone is rarely successful.
Trap Out: I have heard of success trapping out bees; however trap outs can take many months to a year to be successful. Trap out involves placing a hive next to the opening to the colony and either sealing the opening with a one-way escape board, and/or placing pheremones in the hive to lure the bees into the hive. The goal is to coax the bees out of the structure and into a hive, which can be relocated to a better place.
Problems: If the bees are successfully eradicated with an above mentioned method the wax and honey will be left in the structure without bees to tend it. Without the protection of the bees the wax and honey will attract ants, rats, roaches and more bees. Bees keep their wax at about 95 degrees. Without the bees to cool it the unattended wax and honey can melt and cause damage to walls, floors and surrounding items. There are other dangers associated with wax and honey in structures such as a colony in a chimney causing a chimney fire. The consequences of incomplete removal are varied.
Live Extraction: In order to preserve the life of the bees and reduce long term damage to the structure the bees and all of their wax and honey should be removed through structural extrac-tion. This method includes but is not limited to opening the structure to expose the colony and performing a live removal of all of the bees and all of the wax and honey. The company or persons involved in this procedure should be in compliance with state regulations regarding bee removal and be prepared for the liability involved. Exposing a colony in a home could cause damage to wires, pipes and insulation as well as possible structural damage. In addition to structural damage the company should also be insured against possible sting injuries that may occur as a result of an extraction.
Once a swarm has entered a structure it is no longer a swarm, it is a colony and those at-tempting to remove it are then required to completely comply with the California Structural Pest Control Act.
The Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association does not endorse any one company for structural removal. The Structural Removal list is a list of companies that preform structural removals and have shown compliance with state laws regarding bee removal. In order to be placed on the list a company is required to show proof of compliance with state laws regarding bee removal including proof of insurance. To be included on the list please contact our webmaster Jeff Peacock |
