FAQ
Beehive removal & relocation
It is great you have chosen to remove and relocate the bees ethically by engaging Greenwood Permaculture. We value bees, understanding their vital role in helping maintain healthy ecosystems.
What happens during a hive removal
First, we will locate the bee colony, using an infrared scanner.
We will then mark out the area of the material that needs to be removed. We will remove the material (ie plasterboard) to gain access to the colony.
Once revealed, the full bee colony will be gently vacuumed into a box using a specially designed bee vacuum. The honeycomb with brood, honey and pollen stores will also be gently cut out, removed and relocated to the hive box.
When the majority of the colony is in the box, it will be left as close to the building entry point as possible. This will allow any remaining bees that were out foraging to return to this new hive. We will return at sunset to take it away.
What damage will the removal cause to the building?
Cladding needs to be removed in order to gain access to the colony, ie cement sheet, weatherboards or plaster. As much care as possible will be taken to minimise damage to property. No structural elements of the building will be damaged.
After the beehive removal
Before you commence repairs on the building, the void needs to be completely filled with insulation so that a new bee colony is not tempted to move in.
It is impossible to remove 100% of the bees. There will be a small percentage that return in the following days, looking for their colony. Unfortunately these bees will die naturally within 2-6 weeks, as they cannot survive without their colony.
How long the removal will take
There are many variables when removing a colony, such as how established the hive is and how much comb the bees have actually built, how much void space they have taken up, and the accessibility of these areas. As such it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of the total time needed. An average simple hive removal from a wall takes between 3 - 5 hours. A more complex, well established removal can take 10 hours or more.
Why choose removal and relocation as opposed to extermination
Greenwood Permaculture does not offer the service of exterminating bees. If the bees were exterminated instead of being relocated, the honey, pollen and nectar, as well as tens of thousands of dead bees will remain in the wall cavity and rot. This will eventually seep through the wall causing damage to plaster and timber, and attract pests.
What Equipment will be needed
Greenwood Permaculture will provide all equipment (ie tools, ladder, beevac) needed for this service and is fully insured.