West Midlands retirement village discover 12,500 honeybees living in roof
“It’s not every day you discover that thousands of honeybees have been living alongside you for years!”
Residents at a West Midlands retirement village have discovered that thousands of honeybees that had been living in the roof and chimney of their historic building for years.
The two bee colonies are believed to have been there for several years, with one bee potentially calling the historic building home as long as seven years. The buildings roof tiles were temporarily removed to access one of the colonies and the chimney had to be carefully opened in stages. Just two bricks were removed at a time.
Residents at freedom living’s Mount Battenhall were visited by bee expert Locky Deeming who returned to the retirement village November 6 to meet residents post bee rescue.
He revealed how up to 12,500 honeybees were carefully rescued from the Grade 2 house before being rehomed with a beekeeper near Birmingham.
Locky Deeming from TLC pest control said: “removing established colonies from a historic roof and chimney takes time and care. Our priority throughout was to protect the bees, the fabric of Battenhall House and everyone living and working at Mount Battenhall.”
Locky and his team used a bee vacuum, to gently transfer the bees into secure boxes.
Pat Chater, a resident at Mount Battenhall, said: “It was fascinating to learn how the colonies had made their home at Battenhall House and just how much care went into moving them safely. What really stayed with us was how vital bees are to our environment. We’d love to continue the conversation by inviting a local beekeeper to speak at the village next.”
Clare Davies, village manager of Mount Battenhall said: “It’s not every day you discover that thousands of honeybees have been living alongside you for years!”
For more information about Mount Battenhall, visit: https://www.freedomvillages.co.uk/retirement-villages/mount-battenhall