With the rapid development of urbanisation and habitat destruction, wild bee colonies sometimes build their hive in places that aren’t ideal for humans. This can be in your wall space, ceiling, floor, compost bin, or anywhere that is safe and where there is enough space for them to build their colony. Greenwood Permaculture specialises in colony removal and relocation. The process of removing these colonies involves exposing the area where they have made their colony, often by removing plasterboard or cladding.

We use a specially designed vacuum that gently takes them into a box that will become their new home. We also remove their comb with bee brood, pollen, nectar and honey, cut this to shape and secure it into frames.

The bees are then relocated to a new site to continue their important role as pollinators.

The bee relocation process can take some time depending on access, size of colony and the amount of honey/brood. Anywhere from 3 hours for a relativity small new colony to 12 hours + for a very old colony packed with honey and brood. This time can be somewhat estimated on pre assessment, although the true size of the colony will only be determined once access has been made.