Bees In Walls, Roofs & Other Cavities

Feral honey bees may establish colonies inside protected cavities that provide sufficient space and shelter.

Potential locations can include:

• Wall cavities

• Roof spaces

• Eaves

• Chimneys

• Sheds and outbuildings

• Tree hollows

• Meter or service areas

• Other enclosed structures

A common sign of a concealed hive is a consistent stream of bees entering and leaving a small opening.

The visible opening may only be the bees' access point and does not necessarily indicate the exact position or size of the colony inside the structure.

Don't Seal an Active Bee Entry Point

If bees are actively using an opening, do not simply seal it while the colony remains inside.

Blocking the normal entrance can cause additional problems and may result in bees attempting to find another way out, including towards internal areas of a building.

The colony should first be assessed and appropriately managed. Entry points can then be considered as part of prevention once the situation has been resolved.