The message
from Chris Bacon contains these words:

I *did* read what you said in your OP... the bit about
swarms was free additional information resulting from
June Hughs' contribution WRT local beekeepers happy to
give advice (I had a number of stocks some time ago, &
hope to have some again). Most beekeepers will actually
talk to you, but due to the amount of work/time in "the
season" probably won't be interested in bumble bees, or
wasps, etc. See above.

We've got a hornets' nest somewhere near. I hope the neighbours are as
pleased about it as I am. They can hardly fail to notice honey-coloured
stripeythings with an engine sound like a Merlin with a sore throat -
I've been buzzed - well, more deep hummed - by one while I was up a
ladder, and had them flying about on a nearly daily basis.

Last night there was some largish insect flying against my bedroom
window, when suddenly *THONK!* a hornet grabbed it and collided with the
glass, then droned off with its dinner.

/snip/

You mention "poking a liner down". What sort? AFAIK the
corrugated flexible stainless steel liners are unsuitable
for solid fuel. Worth checking with your supplier or
"stove shop" or council Building Control Officer (last
resort IMO).

I was informed that SS liners were fine. Aluminiumiumiumium ones are to
be avoided though! Mine is merely discoloured, and it took some stick
over the winter - well, quite a lot of sticks.

If someone's up there they will probably be considered
fair game by the bees. There may be up to 200 or so,
give or take.

Not if they're in a hole in the masonry. Actually, it takes a lot to
provoke bumble bees into stinging. When I was four I believed they
couldn't sting, and i used to catch them in my cupped hands, then open
them and let them climb over them, and let them fly away. I was never
stung, but desisted when my mother corrected my misapprehension.

If one gets into the house, I'll still catch them in my bare hands and
put them outside.

You could try lighting something smoky under the chimney
and seeing what happens to the smoke (e.g. does it come
out of the stack where it shouldn't). You can get "smoke
pellets", but they aren't all *that* smoky IMO.

And what happens to the bees, of course.

Your best bet is probably to do them in, somehow. Shame,
but probably most practical.

You could block the hole in the mortar with something like plasticene
the evening before work is to begin. If they don't emerge from the
chimneypot in the morning, that should fix the problem, and any worries
about the unlikely possibility of igniting the nest.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
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