On 05/05/2013 15:05, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-05-05 13:55:11 +0100, Spider said:
On 05/05/2013 14:32, wrote:
In ,
wrote:
Read that helpful link from David Hill again, especially the 4th
paragraph/question-and-answer. Your neighbours need to repoint the
south face of their house (and perhaps the west, too, since that will
also be warm and inviting) so that the bees go elsewhere for soft
mortar. It is the only way to discourage the bees.
They're tenants.
Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
Indeed. I agree with you and would love them around my house, but if
the OP's neighbours *really* want to evict them for child safety
reasons, then re-pointing is the way to do it. It beats poisoning,
which may be the other deadly deed.
When I was little, I was taught and encouraged by my father to respect
our natural fauna and understand them as far as possible. I *love*
bees, including Masonry bees. Just as well since we have soft mortar.
I think Nick Maclaren means the cottage's human occupants are tenants,
so they won't be prepared - or perhaps, allowed - to undertake such a
course of action as re-pointing.
!:~) You could be quite right, so I can see their difficulty.
Nick-the-owner might be able to do so
in late summer or autumn and prevent future worries and fears. Until
then, I think the best idea is education as to what bees actually do.
They are usually pretty docile creatures, uninterested in pursuing
humans for fun! They won't sting unless seriously provoked. The children
could - and should in any case - be taught to wear shoes when running
round the garden and to be calm when walking through the 'bee area'.
Standing in front of the bees' homes and flapping arms about etc. is
asking for trouble whether they're in a wall or a hive.
Well, yes, education would be the right way to go about it. I've tried
no end of times trying to suggest bees are generally harmless. I
usually get the "But they always sting me" type answer. I tend to give
them the "Well, you always thrash your arms at them" reply, but it
doesn't sink in. It also doesn't help that people apply scent, makeup
and hairspray - and eat sticky foods - whilst in the great outdoors. No
wonder the bees are attracted to explore what may be a food item.
--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay