A lady near foothills of Altadena has bees going in out of missing grouted areas between stones in left side of outdoor BBQ/ fireplace. She has weddings/ parties near this firesplace so bees need to go. Started 3pm yesterday by removing a rectangular shaped stone a bit bigger than brick. That was the only demo she would allow. Plugged up some other holes w/ alum foil.
Came across this from JP on "Poison Bees" thread & sure enough that's were they were/ are by hearth:
"Want to add something about the fireplace killing bees. In most fireplaces you have outer bricks, a space, and then the hearth, which is generally ceramic, so that it can withstand heat from the fireplace.
Bees almost always are in between the outer bricks and the hearth, the smoke and heat are within the hearth, so firing up the fireplace mostly does nothing to the colony of bees living there." JP
The lady said that she was planning on using that void for a time capsule but bees moved in first. I was able through the hole w/ hand & tongs, to remove 5 large combs in pieces but some of pieces fell to bottom of void unreachable to me by hand. Tried using BBQ skewers & tongs to remove but taking to long. Getting a shop vac today to see if that will work better. Was trying to brush out some bees but many still in the void & workers nasonoving there & not at nuc hive w/ brood. Leaving shortly to resume & hope more bees have joined nuc w/ queen. Need to build Robo's bee vac as would greatly help in these tight enclosed voids. When is Robo putting out plans to follow? I will buy in a flash.
Cheers, David S
PS Will post pics soon.