how to keep bees out of coop?

[junior67]

My husband got some screen to put over/behind the HW cloth to try to keep bees out of the coop. Is the screen going to cut back on ventilation? I don't want to use it if it is going to cut back on it but I really don't want bees nests in my coop and we have a TON of bees around my house.

 

[aart]

What kind of 'bees' are they?
Are they actively on the coop and getting inside?
Any idea why so many around your house?

Window screen shouldn't be an issue with ventilation, unless it gets clogged up with dust.

 

[junior67]

What kind of 'bees' are they?
Are they actively on the coop and getting inside?
Any idea why so many around your house?

Window screen shouldn't be an issue with ventilation, unless it gets clogged up with dust.

we have some honey bees (I think since today the one by my door look "fuzzy") around , and then not sure maybe yellow jackets? in the front I have hummingbird feeders and a flower garden so guessing that is why we have so many. I have seen a few fly in there when we have been working but they normally fly back out but worried the longer the coop is up since it is new they will end up building a hive in there.

All I know is I got stung last year near my elbow and my arm from about mid forarm to up past my elbow was swollen to about 2+ times the normal size and it itched for about 3 weeks or so and I don't want to go into my coop and find a hive and get stung.

 

[aart]

They can bee(haha) hard to ID.
Catching one in a jar and putting it in the freezer until dead is a good way to get a clear photo.
Then I'd post on an insect ID group to have it ID'd....or try googling.
Someone posted a pretty good menu of 'bees' on your other thread.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here's the repost of the ID key:

 

[addctd2plnts]

I understand how you feel and you need to take that be allergy seriously because it gets worse every time you are stung. Last time I got stung I had a bruise for 6 mos because the area was hard and itched for 6 months. I scratched it in my sleep and made it bruised.

The wasps and bees are coming for the sugar water, so the only thing you can do to help your chickens is to switch where you put the hummingbird feeders.

We have a terrible problem with mud daubers and wasps near our barn. Last year I used this trap and it caught hundreds in 2 weeks. https://www.amazon.com/RESCUE-Toxic-Trapstik-Daubers-Carpenter/dp/B078HSHQR3?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Tried this one right next to it and it caught NOTHING LOL: Usually Rescue brand is good, but we used it next to a hornet nest also and it caught nothing https://smile.amazon.com/Rescue-WHY...d=1&keywords=wasp+trap&qid=1620348853&sr=8-60

Good luck and don't get stung!

 

[junior67]

I understand how you feel and you need to take that be allergy seriously because it gets worse every time you are stung. Last time I got stung I had a bruise for 6 mos because the area was hard and itched for 6 months. I scratched it in my sleep and made it bruised.

The wasps and bees are coming for the sugar water, so the only thing you can do to help your chickens is to switch where you put the hummingbird feeders.

We have a terrible problem with mud daubers and wasps near our barn. Last year I used this trap and it caught hundreds in 2 weeks. https://www.amazon.com/RESCUE-Toxic-Trapstik-Daubers-Carpenter/dp/B078HSHQR3?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Tried this one right next to it and it caught NOTHING LOL: Usually Rescue brand is good, but we used it next to a hornet nest also and it caught nothing https://smile.amazon.com/Rescue-WHY...d=1&keywords=wasp+trap&qid=1620348853&sr=8-60

Good luck and don't get stung!

I have only been stung when I was younger (twice in the same arm at the same time) and don't remember a reaction then. Then I was stung 2 years ago on my back, it was in my shirt somehow and felt something on me so moved my shirt and it stung me. I never saw it as I was in a store when it happened and there was nothing on the floor around me and I didn't see anything. My back was killing me and swelled quite a bit around it. Then my arm last year that got HUGE.... so far no other issues besides the swelling and itching from them but does make me wonder if it would be worse the next time.

the hummingbird feeders are in the front yard and coop in the back so they aren't near each other. and I know the sugar water attracts them but I love my hummingbirds so just can't get rid of them.

Does that trap get honeybees? I know I heard last year that their #'s were way down so don't want to kill any honey bees but I am more than happy to kill anything else. I don't mind them too much around my yard, not thrilled but they do help my flowers. But I 100% don't want a hive in my coop!

 

[Rldad1]

The only thing that will probably build a hive in your coop would be wasps. Honey bees are in short supply. I would love to have a few thousand around. As for the allergy, you need to be checked by an allergist ASAP. The next time you get stung, you could go into anaphylactic shock and die quickly.

 

[junior67]

The only thing that will probably build a hive in your coop would be wasps. Honey bees are in short supply. I would love to have a few thousand around. As for the allergy, you need to be checked by an allergist ASAP. The next time you get stung, you could go into anaphylactic shock and die quickly.

ya I don't want to catch honey bees in a trap and kill them. But would love to trap any others.

I probably should mention it to someone. I didn't even see the dr. last year when I was stung.

 

[Jenwisp]

Some people come and take bees away for free for you. I see you are in Mass. What part? Have you tried searching for bee removal?