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Arapiles Bees 19-Mar-2007 At 5:54:59 PM TLockwood

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Hey David, I'd never actually done it before, and was under guidance from Louise Shephard who had. I had two plans of attack. the first, which i used on all nests, was to pour petrol all over the nest and into the back of the nest, brake off and remove any comb that was left, or around, and then plug the nest with rags to stop re-colonisation. The petrol once it got onto the bees killed them instantly, and providing i sprayed petrol onto them immediately as soon as i arrived at the nest the majority where killed before they had a chance to swarm. There might have still been say 50-100 bees swarming around, but once the nest is blocked up, these bees have nowhere to go and die in a few days or how ever long it takes.

The second option, which i didnt employ is a little more tricky and much more poisonous. it involves using Phostoxin (wrong spelling probably), which is a tablet that when it comes into contact with water vapour it gives of a poisonous gas, and when it is in contact with water it gives of the poisonous gas quite profusely. the way to use these tablets is to throw them into the nest, and plug the nest up with water soaked rags, which effectively cause the gas to be released in the confined space of the blocked off nest.

The last nest which i did was done around dusk, which was better than the others which i had done during the day, as the bees were less active on dusk. im not sure i'd want to be fiddling with climbing gear in the dark, but dusk suited me fine.

I dont know what clothing you wear, but i had a pair of jeans and pants over the top, and a long sleave shirt, jumper and upper body bee suit, boots, and gloves. quite warm in 30 degree weather. on the first nest i wore only the jeans and got stung through them, hence wearing the pants over them the second time. a hat is helpful to wear in the bee suit as if keeps the netting away from your face.