Topic: Bees trying to start hives on vp2+

[cmelby76]

Hey everyone,

So I took my VP2+ ISS down today. My fan kept stopping and starting when the power wire was wiggled. Just a loose connection, but I did noticed underneath and throughout the radiation shield are beginning of bee hives. Looks like they start and move to a different part. I wiped most off but when I put the ISS back up, guess who came to visit…. My question is has anyone ran into this?  And can I rub some bee spray on the shield?  I won’t spray it,  it spray on a rag and wipe. Or any other solutions?

Thanks!

[alanb]

I don't know the answer, but I Googled "bee repellent" and found several solutions using non toxic natural ingredients that you probably already have around the house.  I would be tempted to try one of those methods.

[PaulMy]

A good question for our forum's bee expert Ed (user Intheswamp) BeeWeather.com - Rutledge, Luverne, Crenshaw County, Alabama Weather Conditions, Weather Cams, Photos... 36049 36071


Enjoy,
Paul

[gszlag]

Hey everyone,

So I took my VP2+ ISS down today. My fan kept stopping and starting when the power wire was wiggled. Just a loose connection, but I did noticed underneath and throughout the radiation shield are beginning of bee hives. Looks like they start and move to a different part. I wiped most off but when I put the ISS back up, guess who came to visit…. My question is has anyone ran into this?  And can I rub some bee spray on the shield?  I won’t spray it,  it spray on a rag and wipe. Or any other solutions?

Thanks!

I am a beekeeper. Bees maintain large colonies so a solar radiation shield is not much space for even a small colony.

Are you sure they are honey bees? Most folks often refer to wasps as bees so your uninvited guests could be wasps.

However, if you are sure they are honey bees, an environmentally friendly product might be something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Fischers-Bee-Repellent-Beekeping-Equipment/dp/B07S3Q4PWP. Honey bees tend to produce honey in the upper boxes so a bee repellent is sometimes used to drive the bees off the honey combs into the lower boxes.I don't use the sprays - I just brush the bees off with a special brush.
Hope that helps.

[cmelby76]

They are not honey bees, they are either wasps or yellow jackets.  Just trying to start hives.  They try one spot and then another spot.  So all underneath the radiation shield are spots of the beginning of hives..  I wiped it down but one came back after I put it back up.

[gszlag]

They are not honey bees, they are either wasps or yellow jackets.  Just trying to start hives.  They try one spot and then another spot.  So all underneath the radiation shield are spots of the beginning of hives..  I wiped it down but one came back after I put it back up.

Wasps are pretty determined once they start building a nest. You might just have to get rid of them.

You can try a solution of dish detergent and water and use a pump sprayer ( at a distance!) to knock the flyers down and saturate the nest. Repeated applications may be required.

Doing this a night when the wasps are all in the nest would work better than in the day. Do not use a flashlight as wasps will be able to find you and sting you.

The sting from a yellow jacket kinda feels like a red hot poker to the skin - not entirely a pleasant sensation. Ask me how I know.

If you are allergic or think you are allergic - do not attempt or find someone that has a bee suit!

[Brientim]

I’d agree Wasps are more than likely your new tenants. 

I have a number of hives close to two stations with no issues. 

[ocala]

Get a piece of  vinyl screen, because it's more pliable then metal.   Cut out a piece that you can ty around your radiation shield with some string or whatever. It will look like hell but it will stop the wasps from entering and the airflow will be the same.

[Aardvark]

I had a family of wasps living in the drivers side rear view mirror (outside).   I tried most everything from hosing them out, driving and parking my car far from home and as soon as I got home they came home.    what did it for me was in a spray bottle mix  spearmint oil, water and some dish washing soap, ie Dawn.  I sprayed it side the back of the mirror and they flew out of there quickly and have not returned.    Oh this summer one was buzzing around, and I again doused the inside of the housing with some of that spray and no critters.

It is safe as it doesn't dissolve plastic.

[mikemaps]

Someone suggested putting moth balls in and around the station. I just did that a few days ago, can’t really say yet if it works.