swarm-list Mailing List: Re: Extraction from bathroom vent fan duct in Oakland Hills Condo HOA

[Jeff Horwitz (jeff.horwitz]

Hey, just to close this one out for stats etc:

Bumbles again! I think I persuaded the unit owner / property manager to not evict them and to wait until early fall to screen in the external vent. Definitely happy to do some pro-bumble-bono phone calls, but if it's of value to anyone who's doing the yeoman's work of answering calls, I figured I'd send my notes from recent consults on removals just to see if a few callers can be removed from the pool of people who need swarm/extraction help.

It seems like if the caller is reporting entry via a vent or pipe, they're almost invariably not a honey bee extraction. 

1. "buzzing in a vent/pipe" translates to "likely bumbles, maybe some confused scouts."

2. "Flying/dying honey bees in kitchen/bathroom" translates to "inadequately screened external vents vents and confused scouts."

In both cases, I've found that asking for people to send some pictures / videos would have rendered a site visit unnecessary. 

I'm working with limited data points, and there are people on this list who I'm sure have done 50x the extractions that I have. I'd be glad to buy anybody a drink who falls in that category. I also saw this book and am definitely curious if anybody has read it / has other recommendations for a guide to lower-level extractions, ie those that can be handled with a utility knife, stud finder, hammer and screwdriver. 

At the contacts below if anyone wants to talk further. 

Best,Jeff

--------------------------------------

Jeff Horwitz

(202) 480 4453

jeff.horwitz [at] gmail.com

On Tue, Apr 8, 2025 at 2:17 PM Gerald Przybylski via swarm-list <swarm-list [at] alamedabees.org> wrote:

René 51- 227 9088 says she's heard the bees in there for a couple of weeks.
There's no screen on the vent at the wall, nor apparently, a flapper (or
the flapper isn't working).

The HOA contact is Susy Garcia 510 564 2839
750 Canyon Oaks  Unit A
Oakland

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