They may well move on. We had some that appeared to be nesting in our bathroom extractor fan, but as we were trying to find a local beekeeper to remove them, as they were coming through in to the house. The next morning we got up and all was quiet and they had left.

If possible, then it would be best to leave them alone, but if you really want them removed, I would suggest trying to find the details of a local beekeper or beekeeping associatuon to see what tey suggest, or if they can remove them for you.

There are strict laws / legislation on disturbing bees, so beekeepers or association would be best.

That is why pest controllers cannot remove bee nests.

Thanks for the info. I think I will just wait and see if they move on their own, I certainly do not want to harm them. I have tried a local bee keeper but as they are bumble bees not honey bees they do not want them. I think I will just leave that area of the patio alone.

Have you asked them to move on?

Bumble bees seem to be doing most of the pollination this year as we've lost our usual honey bees that used to visit. :-) I'd just leave them alone - bumble bees aren't aggressive and we've found that they move on though it may not be til the end of the summer. Most of them will die off in cold weather, but a queen will hibernate.

I'm sure you can just avoid sweeping that area for a few months.

I have now found a very good website called The Bumble Bee Conservation Trust. They say the bees might return next year and have told me how to build a cheap house to encourage them not to go under the patio. The area the bees have chosen is surounded by buddliea, sweet peas and lavender so if I build very close to that they may well move in. All I need is a large flower pot and a short length of hose so its worth a try. Thanks for the comments.

I see you ignored me Anns? But I still suggest you ask them to move! have you never heard of talking to the Bees? They have to be informed of events such as a birth death etc and it does work.

Drc726 I am very sorry and truely do not mean to be rude (honest) but I thought you were joking. I will certainly give it a try this evening.

I didnt think you were being rude Anns as I took that you thought I was joking, but I was quite serious. 'Tell the Bees' is important part of folk lore, so ask them nicely and give them a reason and even suggest where they might go! Good luck.

I thought you were joking too. I have never heard of actually talking to the bees.

I ask wasps to leave if they fly into the house, and try to mentally direct them to an escape route. It works better than flapping at them.

Hi Alex - you have to tell the Bees of a family death or birth or other important things.

I thought the "tell the bees" thing applied to honey bees?

Yes as far as I know Beattie. We had a cloud of gnats hovering over our second patio and we could not sit there drove us mad and so one evening I asked them to move and we have not seen them since.

:-) What very obliging gnats!

Seems so Beattie!