It started on a Monday.  I was working from home and left to go run a short errand – 20, 25 minutes tops.  When I left, I went out the front door.  When I came back, there was a swarm of bees blocking my way.  

I studied this for a moment, then went around the side of the house to the backdoor to let myself in. Our front door is a turret and the upper floor of that is a bathroom. I could see bees out the window of the bathroom, starting to cluster, and my next stop was the internet to find an exterminator. I’m not allergic to or really scared of bees, but I didn’t know about Jim and I was worried. 

The soonest appointment I could make was for that Friday and I hoped that would be soon enough.

I told Jim that evening and we both decided to keep an eye on the bees.   He did a little research and found some local beekeepers that were interested in relocating them.  The bee folks came over and assessed the situation and said they would come back the next day. Inside, bees were starting to get in that window and the one next to the front door.  I put tape around the edges of the windows to try and keep them out. 

Things were the same Tuesday morning, but when I came home at lunch, things had changed. It was a hot day and instead of a few bees there was a mass of them in the corner of the bathroom window outside.  I updated Jim and he reached out to the bee folks.

I ate my lunch, told work I wouldn’t be back that day, and went to Lowe’s for supplies.  I got an orange cone, an orange flag, tape, fly swatters, and a Caution side.  I set up the sign – labeled “BEES!” –  at the end of the walkway and added the flag to the side. 

I didn’t want any amazon delivery drivers to get stung. 

I was taping up the inside of the windows better when the bee guy arrived. I told him I had to leave to take one of the dogs for a vet appointment at 3:00 and when the time came he moved his truck so I could get out. 

Things didn’t go well at the appointment and it was late when Jim and I got back. The bee keeper had rigged up a ladder/scaffold to support a bee box and had the window covered over with a mesh cone.  The idea was that the bees could get out, but not back in – and the queen would soon have to leave. 

He and his wife came back several times to check on the progress, but the queen wouldn’t move.  I took plenty of photos and kept the curious neighbors up to date. 

On Thursday morning, I called and canceled the exterminator  – figuring we’d give the bee keepers more time.  I saw my folks that evening and gave them the update.

On Friday, I was working from home and the exterminator showed up anyway.  I talked to him and explained the situation – and that I had canceled – and sent him on his way.

We met up with Jim’s family for dinner that night and updated them as well.

Over the weekend, the bees and the box weathered a storm, but still wouldn’t budge.

The beekeeper replaced the mesh cone with a plastic one and added more tape to limit the bee’s access.   Still no sign of the queen.

Not much progress through week two, but on Thursday the beekeeper was back with a jury-rigged bee vacuum. He worked for a while on that, made some adjustments, and said he would come back the next day.   Before he left, the neighbors next door stopped by and their little girl asked if I knew how to make an origami bee.  I said I didn’t, but that I would give it a try.

Today is Friday and the bee keeper is back with an improved vacuum. I’m off today for a holiday and while he was working I learned how to make paper bees.   He got a lot more bees this time and thinks by either tonight or tomorrow he’ll be able to get the rest of them.    I gave him a bee and then delivered one next door – and I’m now waiting for the wrap up.

If only that queen hadn’t gotten into the walls of our house, this problem would have been done by now. I’m a big fan of bees, but not as room-mates. Also, Jim is allergic – though it takes few stings before it gets bad for him.

I’ll update this as we go along and hopefully get it resolved.