FINCHforum

Well I just joined the board and I already need help.

My dad has just informed me that we have a large bumblebee nest in our basement. They have tunneled through from the garage. He is calling an exterminator tommorow and I need to know how long my babies need to be out of the house!

I can hopefully take them to my Aunts house, but for how long? Please advise as I need them out by Thursday. Thanks a lot.

Oh and the garage is on the other side of the house and I assume they will spray mostly in there. The nest is all wrapped into the insulation so they will be in the house in the basement. They are buzzing angrily over my head at the moment. Man this is going to be a real pain!! I just jope they don't need to tent the house, cause then all my other pets need to go as well.

Thanks for any help.

Wow, I would hate to be in your shoes right now. I hate bumble bees!

As for the evacuation... I would guesstimate 48 hours to be long enough.

I've never been in this kinda situation though, hopefully someone will come along with a better idea.

Good luck!!

I suggest calling the pest control company that's doing the fumigation and ask them how long they suggest. And add a couple of days to it.

Well my dad called the company and they said that it was safe for birds and small animals. They said it is a chemical dust that supposedly does not spread in the air, so they need only be out of the house for the day. However she, of course, is trying to make a sale...

My mom called my avian vet and he said that the chemical they are going to use is absolutely deadly to small birds! If they inhale even one particle, it will kill them outright. So deadly in fact, he suggested asking them not to use it at all. He says the risk of it spreading may be small, but is it worth it just to save a bit of work on my part? I think not!
He suggested that I take all of them out of the house for at least a week! So my aunt is putting my birds(and I) up for the week starting next wednesday. I have to go as well because of the parrot. I can't leave her in the care of someone she doesn't know.

Thanks for the help. Wish me luck...Man, this is going to be a pain in the arse...

Wow, I'm glad you got the name of the chemical from the company. Great idea to call the vet!

Too bad you have to go to all this trouble because of some stupid bees. Darn things!

Actually I quite like bumbles. I used to play with them when was a kid. They are quite docile and rarely sting.

However we can't have them in the house. Especially since they are doing damage to the insulation. The Orkin guy said they are carpenter bees, but I looked closly at one that drowned in my aquarium, and they are definatly bumbles. Fuzzy bums=bumbles. Shiny bums=carpenter bees.

Oh well, part of living in the country...

Lucky you to have a place to go! Hope it all goes smoothly and you get moved back in soon.

Hilary

I know it's probably a little late, but I don't think I would leave any pets in the house while it's being chemically treated. It might be safe for some animals, but then again I wouldn't want to take that chance.

Tracie

Yeah I thought that too. I'm taking all the pocket pets with me. The cats and the dog will have to stay though. They are being kept upstairs in my mom's room.

Thanks for the thought.