We're installing a wood stove this summer, which means we want to line
the chimney first.

But I notice we have a bees nest in the chimney. Is putting a liner in
likely to disturb them?

They are going in through a tiny hole next to the mortar in the top
course of stones, about 6 inches below the chimney pots. It seems to be
one arriving or leaving every minute or so, so it doesn't seem like a
large colony. They look to be bumble bee type things, round and fluffy,
with white bums, and rather small for a bumble bee. Any thoughts?
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

In message , Kay
writes
We're installing a wood stove this summer, which means we want to line
the chimney first.

But I notice we have a bees nest in the chimney. Is putting a liner in
likely to disturb them?

They are going in through a tiny hole next to the mortar in the top
course of stones, about 6 inches below the chimney pots. It seems to be
one arriving or leaving every minute or so, so it doesn't seem like a
large colony. They look to be bumble bee type things, round and fluffy,
with white bums, and rather small for a bumble bee. Any thoughts?

A local beekeeper would generally be very happy to give advice. If you
wish to take that route, the beekeepers' association would be able to
tell you of someone living close by. The beekeepers I have come across
are generally not only interested in honey bees but bees in general. I
am unsure of Mary Fisher's virtual whereabouts these days but if she is
reading this, I am sure she will agree and be able to advise.
--
June Hughes

In message , June Hughes
writes
In message , Kay
writes
But I notice we have a bees nest in the chimney. Is putting a liner in
likely to disturb them?


A local beekeeper would generally be very happy to give advice. If you
wish to take that route, the beekeepers' association would be able to
tell you of someone living close by. The beekeepers I have come across
are generally not only interested in honey bees but bees in general. I
am unsure of Mary Fisher's virtual whereabouts these days but if she is
reading this, I am sure she will agree and be able to advise.
Sorry to follow my own post. By coincidence, today's G2 has an article
about beekeeping in it. It gives the BBKA website address as:

www.britishbeekeepers.com
--
June Hughes

June Hughes wrote:
June Hughes writes
A local beekeeper would generally be very happy to give advice.

Probably, but actually removing "nests" of bees from perilous
places is likely to be a privilege that's declined! Nice swarms
conveniently positioned at low levels will quite possibly be
gladly taken. IME doing a pantomime fairy act up a ladder in
kit in the hot sun with an audience is very thirst-inducing.


Sorry to follow my own post. By coincidence, today's G2 has an article
about beekeeping in it.

What is "G2"?

In message , Chris Bacon
writes
June Hughes wrote:
June Hughes writes
A local beekeeper would generally be very happy to give advice.

Probably, but actually removing "nests" of bees from perilous
places is likely to be a privilege that's declined! Nice swarms
conveniently positioned at low levels will quite possibly be
gladly taken. IME doing a pantomime fairy act up a ladder in
kit in the hot sun with an audience is very thirst-inducing.


Sorry to follow my own post. By coincidence, today's G2 has an
article about beekeeping in it.

What is "G2"?
Guardian 2. (the extra paper in the Guardian).
--
June Hughes

June Hughes wrote:
Chris Bacon writes:
June Hughes wrote:
today's G2

What is "G2"?

Guardian 2. (the extra paper in the Guardian).

Ugh, no wonder I haden't herd of this obscure publichation.

In article , Chris Bacon
writes
June Hughes wrote:
June Hughes writes
A local beekeeper would generally be very happy to give advice.

Probably, but actually removing "nests" of bees from perilous
places is likely to be a privilege that's declined! Nice swarms
conveniently positioned at low levels will quite possibly be
gladly taken.

It's not a swarm and they're not honey bees, and since they're in the
stonework or the chimney, removal as a 'swarm' isn't an option. It's
really advice I need on whether they'll be within the depth of the
stonework, and, if so, is poking a liner down the chimney something that
can be done without upsetting them?


--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

Kay wrote:
Chris Bacon writes
June Hughes wrote:
June Hughes writes
A local beekeeper would generally be very happy to give advice.

Probably, but actually removing "nests" of bees from perilous
places is likely to be a privilege that's declined! Nice swarms
conveniently positioned at low levels will quite possibly be
gladly taken.

It's not a swarm and they're not honey bees,

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.


and since they're in the
stonework or the chimney, removal as a 'swarm' isn't an option. It's
really advice I need on whether they'll be within the depth of the
stonework, and, if so, is poking a liner down the chimney something that
can be done without upsetting them?

Several things:

If it's stonework, there may be a cavity big enough for
bumble bees to nest in, it depends on the bee really.
They only need a fist-sized hole in some cases.

Bumble bees don't hoard honey in wax combs like honey bees,
they don't have the same lifestyle, so it's rather unlikely
that there will be any problem from firing up a "woodstove"
(woodburner? Multi-fuel stove?).

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).

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.

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.

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

Kay wrote:
We're installing a wood stove this summer, which means we want to line
the chimney first.

But I notice we have a bees nest in the chimney. Is putting a liner in
likely to disturb them?

They are going in through a tiny hole next to the mortar in the top
course of stones, about 6 inches below the chimney pots. It seems to be
one arriving or leaving every minute or so, so it doesn't seem like a
large colony. They look to be bumble bee type things, round and fluffy,
with white bums, and rather small for a bumble bee. Any thoughts?

It will certainly disturb them if they're inside the chimney. There's
a vague possibility that they are just in a cavity in the brickwork,
if it's old and not maintained. One every minute or so does mean
it's a small colony - it may increase as the season goes on. Your
best bet is unfortunately to destroy it, unless you can wait 'till
later in the year after the frosts come.

In article , Chris Bacon
writes
Kay wrote:
We're installing a wood stove this summer, which means we want to line
the chimney first.

But I notice we have a bees nest in the chimney. Is putting a liner in
likely to disturb them?

They are going in through a tiny hole next to the mortar in the top
course of stones, about 6 inches below the chimney pots. It seems to be
one arriving or leaving every minute or so, so it doesn't seem like a
large colony. They look to be bumble bee type things, round and fluffy,
with white bums, and rather small for a bumble bee. Any thoughts?

It will certainly disturb them if they're inside the chimney. There's
a vague possibility that they are just in a cavity in the brickwork,
if it's old and not maintained. One every minute or so does mean
it's a small colony - it may increase as the season goes on. Your
best bet is unfortunately to destroy it, unless you can wait 'till
later in the year after the frosts come.

Stonework not brickwork - therefore definitely old though repointed
about 15 years ago.

They're not honey bees - how big a colony do bumble bee type things
form?

--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

The message
from Kay contains these words:

Stonework not brickwork - therefore definitely old though repointed
about 15 years ago.

They're not honey bees - how big a colony do bumble bee type things
form?

Some of them can make quite a large nest, but I don't think the cells
are a wax comb. Certainly the ones I've disturbed (accidentally) in the
past have been rather more like loose birds' nests.

I'd google for masonry bees and see if they match, and then find the
answers to your other questions.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

The message
from Kay contains these words:

We're installing a wood stove this summer, which means we want to line
the chimney first.

But I notice we have a bees nest in the chimney. Is putting a liner in
likely to disturb them?

Does the Pope wear a funny hat?

They are going in through a tiny hole next to the mortar in the top
course of stones, about 6 inches below the chimney pots. It seems to be
one arriving or leaving every minute or so, so it doesn't seem like a
large colony. They look to be bumble bee type things, round and fluffy,
with white bums, and rather small for a bumble bee. Any thoughts?

Mason bees perhaps?

If that's what they are, then putting a liner in might disturb them, but
shouldn't ruin their home.

I thought you were talking of a honey-bee nest actually in the flue. If
these are mason bees, they'll be in a cavity in the brickwork.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

In article , Jaques
d'Alltrades writes

They are going in through a tiny hole next to the mortar in the top
course of stones, about 6 inches below the chimney pots. It seems to be
one arriving or leaving every minute or so, so it doesn't seem like a
large colony. They look to be bumble bee type things, round and fluffy,
with white bums, and rather small for a bumble bee. Any thoughts?

Mason bees perhaps?

If that's what they are, then putting a liner in might disturb them, but
shouldn't ruin their home.

Good :-)

I thought you were talking of a honey-bee nest actually in the flue. If
these are mason bees, they'll be in a cavity in the brickwork.

Stonework not brickwork! Bigger lumps, and bigger opportunities for
cavities

So all I need to do now is convince the builders that they'll not be in
danger? ;-)
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

The message
from Kay contains these words:

Stonework not brickwork! Bigger lumps, and bigger opportunities for
cavities

So all I need to do now is convince the builders that they'll not be in
danger? ;-)

They've got to get to the chimney top to feed the liner down. Even
bumble bees and similar can get their wild-up.

However, if the nest isn't in the lumen of the chimney, they *SHOULDN'T*
have any problems.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

"Jaques d'Alltrades" wrote in message
k...
The message
from Kay contains these words:

We're installing a wood stove this summer, which means we want to line
the chimney first.

But I notice we have a bees nest in the chimney. Is putting a liner in
likely to disturb them?

Does the Pope wear a funny hat?


ho ho :-)

They are going in through a tiny hole next to the mortar in the top
course of stones, about 6 inches below the chimney pots. It seems to be
one arriving or leaving every minute or so, so it doesn't seem like a
large colony. They look to be bumble bee type things, round and fluffy,
with white bums, and rather small for a bumble bee. Any thoughts?

Mason bees perhaps?

I am making a wild guess here but I think mason bees are solitary. That
means they can live in concentrations but each will have its own hole (in
the brickwork I hasten to add).

These sound like bumble bees (white bums and they live in small colonies).
The sizes will vary. There are small species and workers vary a lot in size
within a colony anyway and are quite a lot smaller than the queens that you
seen at the beginning and ends of the season.

Either way, beekeepers will not be able to do anything except as someone
else pointed out, they may know what they are.
As to the liner having an effect, as Rusty said, it depends if the nest is
in a cavity or inside the chimney flue.
I appreciate your concern as bumble bees are georgeous creatures it is nice
to try to accomodate them.


If that's what they are, then putting a liner in might disturb them, but
shouldn't ruin their home.

I thought you were talking of a honey-bee nest actually in the flue. If
these are mason bees, they'll be in a cavity in the brickwork.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/