While Honey Bees are considered a pest by customers they are not actually classified as pests. In Fact in March through to June a great percentage of phone calls i receive from customers are complaints of wasps which are actually swarming bees that a simply moving around.

While wasps can gather in masses around their nests why do not swarm in communal groups… granted, when a nest is being treated and you’ve got several got several hundred extremely annoyed wasps wanting revenge then it feels like a swam. However, what is seen swarming over rooftops in their thousands is in fact bees.

I specialise in rats, rats getting into your home, Rats in Drains, in the loft space, in the kitchen, in the dwelling in its entirety and in your garden. If a rat(s) get into your private space then thats for me.. Bee’s, Nope.

Now I’m not going to lie, Human life comes before all others, I have in my past actively treated and destroyed bees when no other option was available. Bee Keepers will come and collect in certain situations but they will not remove the side elevation of a property to gain access to the colony / colonies of bees within the wall, neither would I for that fact.

So I have in accordance with previous guidance treated for honey bees and blocked points of entry to deter ‘Robber Bee’s’ and contaminated bes from leaving the location. This has always sat wrong with me and when I set up ‘Rattraxs’ it was a area of the industry I tried to stay away from.

At the recent PPC Live in Harrogate where I had a small talk to give on my specialist subject I sat in in the audience where Clive Stewart, the owner of Westart Apiaries gave his presentation. Now he is a Specialist in Bee’s, every aspect of them, all done with the utmost respect to the bees themselves.

One valuable piece of information walking away afterwards what that I am not going to get involved in bees in any way, shape, form or method. I am simply not qualified. I did however purchase his book which is simply amazing which also reinforced the fact that this part of the industry, the bit which Clive does is so specialist it really should be left to the likes of him and persons of the same calibre.

I will however be signing onto his five day course in September if there is space. To further my knowledge and learn from Clive.

Mark Wenman, NPTA (Bees COBP) technical manager and board member, highlighted that honey bees are not classified as pests.

“In fact, they are among the most beneficial insects in our ecosystem, playing a vital role in pollination and biodiversity,” Mr Wenman said. “However, colonies that establish themselves in chimneys, wall cavities, or other hard-to-reach places can sometimes cause concern, distress, or even present a health and safety risk.

“In these circumstances, pest controllers are often called upon to respond. It is essential that we act with professionalism and care, ensuring that any intervention is both ethically sound and legally compliant.”

What the Code Includes

The new Code of Practice provides a clear and methodical approach to handling honey bee situations, focusing on:

• Initial evaluation and risk consideration
  Assessing the situation to determine whether action is needed, with consideration for the safety of people, animals, and the bees themselves.
• Ethical methods for removal and relocation
  Encouraging humane techniques such as cut-outs or trap-outs, with the goal of safely moving the colony to a suitable location.
• Use of specialised tools and training
  Recommending the use of equipment like thermal imaging cameras and stressing the importance of appropriate training, especially in high-risk environments.
• Legal compliance and environmental care
  Addressing relevant legislation and promoting best practices that align with health and safety laws and ecological responsibility.
• Knowing when to consult experts
  Advising members to reach out to experienced bee removal specialists when necessary, to ensure ethical treatment and protection of bee populations.

So I for one welcome this code of best practice and if anything it will make me direct the customer call to the right specialist. For me, I’m going to let them Bee…