The three main types of bee that we encounter in Ireland are the Honeybee, the Bumblebee and the Solitary Bee.

Honeybees can form colonies of tens of thousands. The honeybee is not normally a pest, and is usually cared for by beekeepers. However, wild colonies, or swarms that leave a hive to start a new colony can cause considerable consternation to those whose building they may choose as a new home.

They can become a serious problem if they find an opening to nest in like: an opening in an exterior wall, faulty flashing of a home, or chimney. The nests are made of wax cells that may contain many pounds of reserved honey and these nests can survive throughout the winter if well protected.

Honeybees have a painful sting to which some people are more susceptible than others. The bee sting is barbed and will stick in human skin when the bee flies off or is brushed off. The sting will continue to pump poison and should be scraped out with a fingernail and not pinched out.

Bumble Bees are fairly harmless. Although they have stings, they are not at all aggresive and would only sting as a very last resort. These bees are on the decline, and we would ask that anybody finding a Bumbles nest would leave them in peace. They will be gone by the Autumn and never use the same nest twice. In extreme cases we would be willing to relocate a Bumble nest.

The Solitary Bees do not form colonies, but may be found nesting in some numbers at a good nest site. They are not aggressive and possess a weak sting that rarely penetrates human skin.

HOW TO TACKLE BEES

Important! Bees or wasps should not be tackled without professional help or without a sound knowledge of the risks. Colonies and swarms should only be removed by an experienced beekeeper or Pest Control Technician.

SOME USEFUL TIPS

A bee sting releases a pheromone (smell) that attracts other bees to the sight and induces them to sting also. It is therefore good advice to retreat from a colony of bees if stung once.

Do not try to pinch a bee sting out with a tweezers. The sting should be scraped out with your fingernail or a credit card, and the area washed with soap and water.