Ever see that great YouTube compilation of Cat’s taking over Dog beds?

Well, cats aren’t the only creatures that like to take over another animals’ space. Bees do it too! In particular they love birdhouses and owl boxes.

It actually makes sense if you think about it. Both bird houses and owl boxes are perfectly shaped to suit the honeybee. There is an open void inside and a small entrance that is usually out of easy reach of humans and predators. In the video clip above, you can take a look at some very happy bees who took over a small birdhouse. We brought this birdhouse to the bee clinic after removing it from a customer’s backyard.

As you can see the bees are delighted with their home. They were so happy. We let them stay in the birdhouse a while before transferring to a traditional hive box.  Most homeowners however, are anything but delighted when they find out their bee or owl house has been taken over by bees. But people in the know (i.e., bee removal companies) know that getting an owl box or a birdhouse is an automatic increase in your chances of attracting bees. That’s how common it is.

So what do you do if bees have taken over your owl box or birdhouse? Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t spray them with water to try to make them go away. Chances are they have been there a while before you noticed it and they will defend their home. Bees in owl boxes and birdhouses tend to be more defensive and aggressive. Spraying water at them could put you, other people, and animals in danger.

2. Call us (619)464-2057 and have the bees removed live and relocated to the bee clinic. At the clinic the bees will be re-queened to reduce their aggression and eventually place with apiary or farm.

3. Don’t delay. Waiting only make the job more expensive. Once the box is weighted down with honey, the job becomes more difficult and costly. Other factors that influence cost are how high up and how difficult it is to remove the box from the tree or pole it is mounted to.

The sooner you catch the bees, the more likely they will be able to be removed alive safely. The longer you wait the more likely an elimination may be required. If you are lucky to spot them early enough we can remove the bees without removing the birdor owl box.

So what’s your take? Ever had bees invade your birdhouse or owl box? Share your story below.