How to Remove Bees from Your Chimney.
Summer is here and so are the bees. Bees will find any nook and cranny to make their hives. This includes your chimney. If you are noticing bees around your chimney or fireplace, you know you have a problem. It is imperative to take care of the infestation right away or risk serious damage to your home’s chimney. If the beehive is allowed to stay, it will grow causing potential hazards such as masonry damage or even a chimney fire.
Below are 4 steps to keep bees out of your chimney:
Step 1: Stop Bees from Entering Your Chimney
If your Chimney is not in use, make sure to close the chimney’s damper. By closing the damper, access bees have is significantly reduced.
Step 2: Kill the Bee Colony
When killing the bee colony, it’s best to wait until the late afternoon or evening, making them less aggressive. It’s important to remember to wear protective clothing when dealing with active hives. Make sure to wear safety googles and cover your skin with a thick material to prevent bee stings. Once the hive is located, spray chimney safe insecticide directly onto the beehive. Spray a few times to ensure all the bees have been exterminated. If you can’t find an insecticide that is chimney safe or worried about your safety, hire a qualified exterminator to complete the process. If you’re not comfortable handling this yourself, please don’t hesitate to contact your local pest control company.
Step 3: Removing the Beehive
It’s imperative that the beehive is fully removed. Call a CSIA certified chimney sweep to complete this task. Not only will they remove the beehive, but perform a chimney inspection and cleaning if needed to guarantee the bees did not cause any structural damage. They will also search and find any spots that a bee can sneak into and repair the problem before the bees have a chance to return.
Step 4: Protect Your Chimney from Future Infestations
Have a protective screen fitted to the top of your chimney. This is the best tool you can have to stop bees from entering into your home. Also make sure you have a quality damper installed. If your damper has seen better days, it may not be closing properly, allowing bees to enter through tiny gaps.
At Rooftop Chimney Sweeps, our experienced staff provides thorough chimney cleanings and inspections with the best tools available. Contact us today or schedule an appointment online.