CODE OF PRACTICE
Scope
To provide guidance and best practice for members of the British Bee Removers Association (BBRA) who carry out bee removal services from buildings. The document covers various aspects of bee removal, including the importance of bees and related legislation, methods and procedures for bee removal, precautions and safety measures, waste management and disposal, and useful links and points of contact for further information and support.
The fundamental principles, values, and ethical standards
Bees are vital pollinators and beneficial insects that contribute to the biodiversity and food security of our planet. However, sometimes they may pose a nuisance, a risk, or a danger to people and properties when they establish colonies in unwanted places. The British Bee Removers Association (BBRA) is a professional body that represents the interests and standards of bee removers who offer safe, humane, and effective solutions for bee removal. This code of practice aims to provide guidance that members or participants of the British Bee Removers Association (BBRA) are expected to adhere to include:
• Ensuring the safety and welfare of those performing the extractions as well as the bees.
• Complying with the relevant legislation that protects bees and ensures their welfare and conservation
• Offering safe, humane, and effective solutions for bee removal.
• Reducing stress where practically possible and ensuring the welfare of the bees throughout any removal process.
• Disposing of waste materials in a responsible and legal manner.
• Following the relevant regulations and guidelines for working at height, in confined spaces, with insecticides, and with stings.
Importance of bees
Bees are of great value to our planet’s eco-system, and are responsible for the pollination of a large amount of the foods we eat today. Honey bees, whether they be feral or in hives in managed colonies, are being recognised as beneficial insects, and are rarely classed as pests. However, they often come into conflict with people and their homes, causing alarm and distress by their behaviour. They may sting people from time to time, but generally only when provoked.
Legislation
Bees are protected by various laws and regulations in the UK, which aim to ensure their welfare and conservation. BBRA members should be aware of and comply with the following legislation:
• Food and Environment Protection Act 1985: This act regulates the use of pesticides and requires that they are used in a way that does not harm human health or the environment.
• Bees Act 1980: This act gives the Secretary of State powers to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases and pests affecting bees, and to regulate the movement and importation of bees and be products.
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: This act sets out the general duties of employers and employees to ensure health and safety at work, including the provision of adequate training, equipment, and risk assessments.
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: These regulations require employers to assess the risks to health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities, and to take appropriate measures to control them.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1986: These regulations require employers to assess the risks from exposure to hazardous substances, and to take steps to prevent or reduce them.
• Biocidal Product Regulations 2012: These regulations implement the EU directive on biocidal products, which are substances or mixtures that are intended to destroy, deter, or control harmful organisms. They require that biocidal products are authorised before they can be placed on the market, and that they are used in accordance with the label instructions and precautions.
• Building Regulations 2010 (including amendments to 2018): These regulations set out the standards for the design and construction of buildings, including the requirements for fire safety, ventilation, insulation, and structural integrity.
• Animal Welfare Act 2006 (extension): This act makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal, or to fail to provide for its welfare needs. It also gives powers to inspectors to take action to protect animals in distress.
In the UK, it is illegal to treat honeybees with insecticides except under specific circumstances and with proper authorization. Honeybees are protected under various laws and regulations due to their critical role in pollination and ecosystem health. Using insecticides on honeybees can have detrimental effects on bee populations, including colony losses and potential harm to other wildlife and the environment. No pesticide label in the UK states that it can be used to treat established colonies. The only method of control, therefore, is physical removal using suitable techniques.
Methods and procedures for bee removal
There are two main methods for the removal of bees: Cut-out and Trap-out. The type of bee and their location will determine which method is to be used. Only a cut-out extraction can be used for bumble bees, while both cut-out and trap-out methods can be used for honey bees. Cut-out involves exposing the colony and physically removing it from its established site, while trap-out uses techniques to prevent the bees from re-entering the colony after they have left and providing them with an alternative home. Both of these methods have pros and cons, and each situation is different, therefore requiring discussions with individual clients as to the best way forward for their particular circumstances.
When does a colony need to be relocated
The following questions should be considered:
• Are people or the public at risk being stung?
• Is the nest or colony causing any risk to public health?
• Is the colony causing alarm or distress to the occupants of the property, and/or to the neighbours?
Swarms
If you encounter a swarm of honeybees recently arrived and clustered outdoors, promptly contact your local beekeeping association for assistance if you are unsure of how to collect a swarm. Alternatively, if you have the necessary skills and equipment, you may attempt to collect the swarm yourself in a hive or nuc box.
Established Colony
When a swarm has already entered a building, the chances of successfully relocating them decrease significantly, especially if they’ve been there for over 48 hours. At this stage, the only practical options for relocating the bees are either a physical cut-out or, in certain cases, a trap-out. Both methods typically involve significant labor and time due to the effort required to expose the colony. It is crucial in this situation to determine whether conducting a survey is necessary.
Surveys
A survey is advised to determine the most suitable method for the situation, assess the building’s condition, and plan the approach if the colony needs to be exposed for removal. This helps provide a more accurate estimate of the required work and associated costs.
Survey Components
Surveys can be conducted in various ways. While some may only require photographs, often it’s essential for the remover to inspect the site in person, utilizing modern thermal imaging equipment and occasionally inspection cameras.
Survey Conclusion
Upon completing the survey, it’s best practice to inform the client about the removal process. This information should be documented in a report, providing the client with all necessary details regarding their situation. At this stage, different removal methods should be recommended and discussed.
Cut outs may require access equipment to work at height and building reinstatement works.
Trap-outs can be costly due to the ongoing revisits needed for trap-out procedures.
Bee Vac – Hoovering of the bees should be kept to a minimum.
Ensure the bee vac doesn’t become overly full. Regularly transfer the bees to nuc boxes with ample airflow. Employ water sprays to aid in cooling and hydrating the bees, particularly during warmer temperatures. These measures serve to alleviate stress on the bees.
After the removal process is complete, promptly transport the bees to their new destination and settle them into their new hive. This swift transition helps minimise stress. Once they’ve adjusted to their new environment, provide them with a sugar syrup, especially if their food supplies are low. This nourishment supports comb rebuilding and sets them on a path towards full recovery.
Bee Welfare
The welfare of the bees throughout any removal process is of utmost importance. Every effort should be made to reduce stress where practically possible. Stress in honeybees can cause adverse effects, such as dysentery, and should be minimised throughout any removal. Timing is a big factor in reducing stress.
Honeybee colonies removed in early spring will be substantially smaller than colonies removed in mid to late summer, which will be much more established. Even more importantly, a colony removal in winter should only be considered if it is absolutely necessary as their chances of survival in winter greatly diminishes due to low temperatures, especially if an external extraction is carried out.
By taking steps to minimize stress during the removal process, the risk of stress-related illnesses in honeybees, such as the notifiable disease EFB (European Foul Brood), is significantly reduced.
Disease recognition and quarantine
Bee removers should know how to recognise the notifiable diseases and pests outlined under the bees act 1980.
These are:
• European foul brood (EFB)
• American foul brood (AFB)
• Small hive beetle
• Tropilaelaps mite
If any of the aforementioned notifiable diseases or pests are detected during a removal, all activities must halt, and the local bee inspector should be informed. However, spotting these issues during a removal can be challenging. Hence, quarantine protocols should be followed for a minimum duration of six weeks. We recommend registering the quarantine apiary with Bee Base for proper inspection.
Quarantine periods for removed colonies should last at least six weeks, ideally extending to eight weeks. This duration allows for a recovery period, particularly beneficial for larger, more established colonies.
Training
The BBRA recommend that candidates seek suitable training in good beekeeping husbandry, to better understand the needs of the bees. This can be found through local branches of the BBKA.
Health and Safety
Bee removal is a specialized and potentially risky endeavor that demands careful precautions and safety protocols. BBRA members must adhere to pertinent regulations and guidelines concerning working at heights, in confined spaces, handling insecticides, and mitigating stings.
Working at Height
Given that the majority of bee colonies are situated at elevated positions, the Working at Height Regulations (2005) are applicable. Adequate training should be undergone, where necessary, and work meticulously planned accordingly.
Working in Confined Space
On occasions, bee removal may entail accessing colonies from confined spaces like loft areas or ducting voids. The Confined Spaces Regulations (1997) come into effect when a risk assessment indicates the potential for serious injury from working in such environments. If external execution isn’t feasible, safe systems must be established.
Chimney Works
Discovering honeybee colonies in chimneys is commonplace but often complex to address. These scenarios should only be handled by competent and experienced removal experts. They may necessitate permissions from local planning authorities or, if the colonies are within heating system flues, decommissioning by qualified technicians before and reinstatement after removal.
Use of Insecticides
Insecticides might be necessary as part of emergency procedures during live removals. However, under the Control of Pesticide Regulations (1986), only technicians trained in the appropriate use of insecticides and associated application equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), should conduct such tasks. Only insecticides approved for use by the HSE should be employed.
Stings
Honeybees possess stingers that typically cause local swelling and skin irritation in most individuals. This discomfort can be
alleviated with antihistamine tablets and creams. However, for some individuals, bee stings can trigger a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock.
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock may include:
Shortness of breath
Swelling of the throat and tongue
Weak or rapid pulse
Raised and lowered blotches known as hives across the body
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Loss of consciousness
If any of these symptoms are experienced, immediate medical attention should be sought. Individuals known to be at risk of anaphylaxis should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (commonly known as an EpiPen) to administer when necessary. Emergency services must be contacted promptly in such situations.
RAMS and COSHH
Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), in conjunction with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) assessments, should be integral components of any work undertaken, following the guidelines outlined in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999).
First Aid
Having someone trained in first aid present on-site during bee removal operations is highly advisable.
Asbestos
Asbestos checks are imperative for buildings constructed before 2000 due to the widespread use of asbestos in construction materials until its ban in the late 20th century. Asbestos was extensively utilised for its fire-resistant and insulating properties in various building components, including insulation, roofing, chimneys, and ceiling tiles. However, prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres poses severe health risks, including lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Buildings erected before 2000 are more likely to contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), and as these materials degrade over time, they can release harmful fibers into the air, endangering the health of occupants and workers during renovation, maintenance, or demolition activities. Therefore, conducting asbestos checks and surveys in pre-2000 buildings is crucial to identify and manage any ACMs present, ensuring the safety and well-being of anyone who may be removing building fabric to access and remove bees.
Waste Management
Bee removal activities may generate waste materials that must be disposed of responsibly and lawfully. BBRA members should adhere to pertinent regulations and guidelines regarding the disposal of contaminated or surplus comb, honey, and bees.
Disposal of Contaminated Comb, Honey, and Bees
In certain instances during cut-out removals, insecticide use may be necessary for safety reasons or to secure an area after removing the primary colony. Any materials (comb, honey, and bees) coming into contact with insecticides must be treated as hazardous and disposed of solely through incineration. Such materials should be considered controlled waste and must not be sent to landfill to prevent contamination of nearby managed colonies and their honey. A “Duty of Care Transfer Note” should accompany disposal, utilizing the recommended EWC Code 20.01.99.
Disposal of Comb
Uncontaminated comb not used to house the removed colony can be processed into clean wax blocks through various methods and then sold or exchanged. Alternatively, it can be incinerated, but must not be sent to landfill to prevent the spread of bee diseases and harmful bacteria.
Disposal of Honey
Even apparently uncontaminated honey should not be consumed by humans due to potential contamination with building materials during removal. It may be suitable for feeding back to the original bees or disposed of cautiously to avoid transmitting harmful bacteria and pathogens to healthy colonies.
Disposal of Bees
Dead bees not contaminated with insecticide can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste to prevent attracting flies and odor issues. Live bees should be handled with proper beekeeping practices during removal and can be rehomed by the remover or transferred to local beekeeping associations or beekeepers registered with Bee Base, ensuring appropriate bee welfare standards are followed.