California Gardening: Rats - need I say more, 0 by SingingWolf

SingingWolf wrote:
Nah, he doesn't care about feral hives. He gets real annoyed when people ask us to remove them.
Neighbors next door blamed us last week because they had a swarm show up in a tree at their place.
I guess they left messages with Mom (which she forgot to give us), and when we didn't call back they grabbed a couple of our guys who took them bees away from there.
Our bees are just being released from pollinating the almond groves. They are all still up north.
I don't know where these feral bees came from, but it was easier to remove them than to listen to the neighbors constant complaints.
If you ask me I'll tell you to get a professional to remove an established hive. If it is a swarm, then you relax, and they will usually leave in a day or two. Swarms usually ball up around the Queen to protect her and to take care of her. They usually fly off within 3 days. It's common for swarms to visit for a day or so this time of year.
If you have to kill them, you should wait until dark, then when they are all back in the hive. Then you can hit them with Raid Wasp Killer, from a distance. Or my ecological friendly method of mixing Dawn dish soap and water in the vegetable sprayer(pump). Then foam the bees.
It really is best to let professionals handle any real hives. They can also remove beeswax and honey which can turn foul, and bring in other bugs.
I'll check out the bat boxes. Thanks KC.
Can't resist sending this photo of why DH isn't allowed to mow the turn around circle yet!
WIB,
SW