Par, St Austell, CornwallOpen 24 hours, 7 days a week p.clarkey84@gmail.com07974 278830 AboutServices Areas ContactCall 07974 278830Call - Home/ - Pest control services/ - Bee Removal & Rehoming # Bee Removal & Rehomingfrom Chimneys, Cavities & RoofsAcross St Austell & Cornwall Bees are never killed here — they're rehomed. Paul Clarke identifies exactly what you've got before doing anything, then removes and relocates honey bee colonies safely. Call 07974 278830Request an estimate Call or message Paul directly to describe what you're seeing and hearing — no call centre, no hard sell. - 15 years' hands-on experience◆ - Bees rehomed — never exterminated◆ - Poison-free methods used wherever possible◆ - Humane & legal techniques — live-trapping specialists◆ - Rats, mice, wasps, moles, squirrels, rabbits & pigeons◆ - Sub-12 ft/lb air rifle control on grounds, farms & estates◆ - Gull & bird proofing — netting, spikes & deterrents◆ - Homes & businesses — pubs, restaurants, farms, holiday lets & landlords◆ - One-off call-outs & ongoing prevention plans◆ - Locally owned & run by Paul Clarke◆ - Covering St Austell, Truro, Newquay, Bodmin, Fowey & across mid-Cornwall◆ - 15 years' hands-on experience◆ - Bees rehomed — never exterminated◆ - Poison-free methods used wherever possible◆ - Humane & legal techniques — live-trapping specialists◆ - Rats, mice, wasps, moles, squirrels, rabbits & pigeons◆ - Sub-12 ft/lb air rifle control on grounds, farms & estates◆ - Gull & bird proofing — netting, spikes & deterrents◆ - Homes & businesses — pubs, restaurants, farms, holiday lets & landlords◆ - One-off call-outs & ongoing prevention plans◆ - Locally owned & run by Paul Clarke◆ - Covering St Austell, Truro, Newquay, Bodmin, Fowey & across mid-Cornwall◆ ## Approach Bees never exterminated — always rehomed ## Experience Around 10 years rehoming bees ## Availability Open 24 hours, 7 days a week ## Coverage St Austell, Par, Truro, Newquay and beyond The service ## Bee removal that starts with getting the identification right Not every buzzing insect around a chimney, roofline or garden wall is the same problem, and treating them all the same way is where a lot of well-meaning advice goes wrong. Honey bees form large, established colonies and are never killed here — they're rehomed, because a healthy honey bee colony is worth protecting rather than destroying. Bumblebees nesting in a compost heap or under a shed are usually a short-lived, low-impact seasonal presence that often doesn't need removing at all. Solitary and masonry bees drilling into old mortar joints are different again, and wasps — despite getting lumped in with bees by a lot of callers — need an entirely different approach. Getting the identification right before doing anything is the first and most important part of the job. Paul Clarke has around 10 years' experience rehoming bees, alongside 15 years in pest control and restoration building more broadly. That building background is genuinely useful with bees, because established honey bee colonies in a chimney breast, a cavity wall or a roof void need to be accessed and removed carefully to avoid damaging the structure or leaving comb and honey behind, which can attract further pests later if it isn't dealt with properly. Removal and rehoming is a slower, more careful process than a straightforward pest treatment, and it's carried out that way deliberately. This work covers homes, pubs, restaurants and holiday lets across the St Austell and Par area and wider Cornwall, including situations where guests, diners or tenants are present and need the situation handled with minimum disruption and no unnecessary alarm. ### Who it's for - Homeowners with a honey bee swarm settled in a chimney, wall cavity or roof void - Property owners with an established colony that's been present for a season or longer - Pubs and restaurants with bees present near entrances, seating areas or in the building fabric - Holiday let owners needing bees dealt with discreetly before or between guest bookings - Anyone unsure whether what they're seeing is honey bees, bumblebees, masonry bees or waspsCall 07974 278830 Left alone ## Why identification matters more than speed The instinct when bees turn up somewhere inconvenient — a chimney, a wall, near a doorway — is to want them gone as fast as possible. With bees, that instinct can cause more problems than it solves. Killing a honey bee colony rather than removing it doesn't just end the immediate nuisance; it leaves comb and honey behind in the cavity or chimney, which can ferment, leak, attract other insects and rodents, and in some cases cause damage to plasterwork or chimney breasts months later once nobody's thinking about bees any more. There's also a simple risk of dealing with the wrong problem altogether. Bumblebees are calm, rarely aggressive, and often gone naturally within a matter of weeks — spending money removing them is usually unnecessary. Masonry bees drilling into soft old mortar look alarming in numbers but are solitary and not aggressive. Wasps, on the other hand, do need proper nest treatment and behave very differently from any bee species. Getting this wrong at the identification stage means either an unnecessary call-out, or worse, the wrong approach applied to an aggressive wasp nest treated like a docile bee colony. ### Comb and honey left behind Killing rather than removing a colony leaves comb and honey in the cavity, which can ferment, leak and attract further pests later. ### Structural mess from an unmanaged colony Established colonies left too long can lead to staining, odour and damage to plasterwork or chimney breasts as comb breaks down. ### Unnecessary treatment of harmless bees Bumblebees and masonry bees are frequently mistaken for a problem needing removal when they're low-risk and often short-lived. ### Guests and customers unsettled For pubs, restaurants and holiday lets, an unmanaged bee or wasp situation near entrances or seating can put off customers and guests until it's properly dealt with. ### Common mistakes worth avoiding - Assuming any bee is a wasp, or any wasp is a bee, and treating the wrong problem entirely - Killing a honey bee colony rather than having it identified and rehomed - Blocking up an entry point with an active colony still inside, which traps bees and can force them to find another way into the building - Leaving an established colony for a long period without any assessment, allowing comb and honey to build up further Our process ## How bee removal and rehoming is carried out The process is slower and more deliberate than a standard pest treatment, because the goal is a live, healthy colony safely relocated, not a quick kill. - 1 ### Identification Paul establishes exactly what species is present — honey bee, bumblebee, masonry bee or wasp — since each needs a completely different approach, and some need no action at all. - 2 ### Assessment of the site For honey bees, the location and accessibility of the colony is assessed — chimney, cavity wall, roof void — to work out the safest way to access it without unnecessary damage to the building. - 3 ### Removal and rehoming The colony is carefully removed, including comb where practical, and relocated rather than destroyed. This takes more time and care than pest treatments generally do, and is scheduled accordingly. - 4 ### Site made good and advice given Once the colony is out, the entry point is discussed — sealing it properly to stop a repeat swarm settling in the same spot, along with any advice on comb or honey residue that needs cleaning up. What you get ## Why work with Paul directly ### Bees are never exterminated Every honey bee colony is treated as worth saving and rehomed rather than killed, regardless of how inconvenient the location. ### Around 10 years of rehoming experience Established, practical experience specifically with live bee removal and relocation, not just general pest treatment. ### Correct identification first Time is taken to establish exactly what's present before recommending any action, which sometimes means the honest answer is that nothing needs doing. ### A building-trained eye for access 15 years of restoration building experience helps when accessing a colony in a chimney, cavity or roof void without unnecessary damage. In detail ## Bee removal and rehoming in detail Some of the detail worth knowing before you call, covering identification, swarm season timing and how removal is handled around guests and customers. ### Telling honey bees, bumblebees, masonry bees and wasps apart This is the first and most important step, because the right response is completely different for each. Honey bees are golden-brown, form large organised colonies, and are the species that gets rehomed rather than left or destroyed. Bumblebees are rounder, fuzzier, nest in smaller numbers underground or in loose material, and are rarely worth disturbing. Masonry bees are solitary, drill into soft old mortar in numbers that look alarming but aren't aggressive. Wasps are narrower, more aggressive later in the season, and build a papery nest that needs an entirely different treatment. - Honey bees: large organised colonies, golden-brown, rehomed rather than treated - Bumblebees: smaller nests, calm, often gone naturally within weeks - Masonry bees: solitary, drilling into old mortar, not aggressive - Wasps: papery nests, more aggressive, need dedicated nest treatment ### Honey bee swarms vs established colonies A swarm is a temporary cluster of bees, often seen hanging from a branch or fixture, that's moved on from an old colony and is looking for a new home — these can sometimes be collected and relocated quickly and with minimal disruption. An established colony, by contrast, has already settled into a chimney, cavity or roof void, built comb, and is functioning as a permanent home. Established colonies take more time to remove properly because the comb, brood and honey stores need to be dealt with as part of the process, not just the bees themselves. - Swarms are temporary and can often be collected quickly once located - Established colonies have comb, brood and stores that need careful removal - The longer a colony is established, the more comb and honey there typically is to deal with ### Swarm season and timing Swarming activity is heavily seasonal, with most swarms appearing in late spring and early summer as colonies split and look for new locations. This is when call-outs for bees clustering on branches, fence posts or building fixtures are most common. Established colonies discovered in a chimney or wall can be found at any time of year, but the busiest period for genuinely new activity is that late spring and early summer window. - Swarming activity concentrated in late spring and early summer - Swarms can appear suddenly on branches, fences or building fixtures - Established colonies in chimneys or cavities may only be noticed once activity increases with the season ### Removing bees from chimneys, cavities and roofs These are the trickiest jobs, because the colony is usually out of direct sight and access has to be planned around the structure of the building. Chimney breasts, cavity walls and roof voids all need a slightly different approach to reach the comb without unnecessary disruption to brickwork, plaster or roofing. Paul's building background helps here — the same understanding of how a property is put together that applies to reading roof lines for squirrels or rodent entry points is just as relevant when working out how to access a colony safely. - Chimney colonies accessed with care to avoid unnecessary damage to the flue or breast - Cavity wall colonies assessed for the safest access point - Roof void colonies dealt with alongside checking for any related entry points ### Pubs, restaurants and holiday lets with guests present Bees near an entrance, terrace or seating area are a genuine concern for hospitality and holiday let businesses, both for guest comfort and for the practical worry of stings around food and drink service. Work is carried out as discreetly as possible, with timing discussed around service hours, guest changeovers or quieter periods where that helps, and clear communication about what's actually present so staff aren't unnecessarily alarmed. - Timing arranged around service hours or guest changeovers where practical - Clear identification given so staff know whether it's bees, wasps or something else entirely - Discreet handling suited to customer-facing premises ### Aftercare and preventing a repeat swarm Once a colony has been removed and rehomed, the entry point is worth sealing properly, because an empty cavity that previously held a colony can still smell attractive to a future swarm looking for a new home. Any leftover comb or honey residue is also worth cleaning up where accessible, to avoid attracting other pests afterwards. - Entry points sealed after removal to discourage a repeat swarm - Residual comb or honey addressed where access allows - Advice given on monitoring the same spot in future swarming seasons ### Related services - Wasp Nest Removal - Squirrel Removal - Rats, Mice & Rodents - All services ### Areas covered Bee Removal & Rehoming across mid and south Cornwall, from the Par, St Austell base. - St Austell - Par - Charlestown - Lostwithiel - Polgooth - Fowey - Mevagissey - St Mawes - Truro - Newquay - St Columb Major - Bodmin FAQs ## Bee Removal & Rehoming — your questions Still unsure? The line is open 24 hours, 7 days a week — call 07974 278830 and describe what you have seen. How much does bee removal and rehoming cost?There's no fixed published price because every job is different — a swarm clustered on a branch is a very different job to an established colony inside a chimney breast with comb and stores to remove. Paul quotes after seeing the site or hearing a clear description of the location and how long bees have been present. Call to describe what you're seeing and you'll get an honest, specific quote. Will the bees definitely be killed?No — bees are never exterminated. Honey bee colonies are rehomed rather than destroyed, which is the whole basis of how this work is carried out. If what you actually have turns out to be bumblebees or masonry bees, in many cases no removal is needed at all, since they're low-impact and often short-lived. How do I know if it's bees or wasps?Bees tend to be rounder and fuzzier with a golden-brown colour, while wasps are narrower, smoother and more aggressive, particularly later in the season. A wasp nest is greyish and papery in appearance, quite different from bee comb. If you're not sure, describe what you're seeing and hearing when you call — Paul can often narrow it down before even visiting, and the right approach depends entirely on getting this correct. How long does removal take?A swarm clustered somewhere accessible can sometimes be collected and relocated in a single visit. An established colony inside a chimney, cavity wall or roof void takes longer, since comb and stores need to be carefully removed alongside the bees themselves, and the entry point needs sealing afterwards. Paul will give a realistic timeframe once he's seen where the colony actually is. When is swarm season in Cornwall?Swarming activity is at its busiest in late spring and early summer, when colonies split and look for new locations, so this is when most new call-outs for bees clustering on branches, fences or buildings tend to happen. Established colonies in chimneys or walls can be found at any time of year, but activity usually becomes more noticeable as the warmer months progress. Can you remove bees from a chimney or wall cavity without damaging the property?That's the aim, and it's where a building-trained approach helps. Access is planned around how the chimney, cavity or roof void is actually constructed, to reach the colony with as little disruption as possible to brickwork, plaster or roofing. Some access work is sometimes unavoidable, but it's kept to the minimum needed to remove the colony properly. What happens after the bees are removed — will they come back?Once a colony is out, the entry point is sealed to discourage a future swarm from settling in the same spot, since an old, empty cavity can still be attractive to bees looking for a new home. Any leftover comb or honey is addressed where it's accessible, since residue left behind can attract other pests later if it isn't dealt with. Do you deal with bees at pubs, restaurants and holiday lets with guests around?Yes, and this is handled with particular care given customers or guests may be present. Timing can be arranged around service hours or changeovers, and the situation is dealt with discreetly and explained clearly to staff so there's no unnecessary alarm about something that, in many cases, turns out to be low-risk. Is bee removal available out of hours?Pest Management Cornwall is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, so you can call any time to discuss a bee situation. Removal and rehoming itself is generally scheduled at a sensible time for the colony and the site rather than treated as a same-hour emergency, but call as soon as you notice activity so it can be assessed properly. Do you cover areas outside St Austell and Par?Yes — alongside St Austell and Par, work is regularly carried out across Charlestown, Lostwithiel, Polgooth, Fowey, Mevagissey, St Mawes, Truro, Newquay, St Columb Major and Bodmin. Call to check your specific location if you're unsure. ## Get bees identified and safely rehomed Call or message Paul Clarke directly on 07974 278830 to describe what you're seeing and where. You'll get honest identification first, then a plan to remove and rehome the colony properly — bees are never exterminated here. Call 07974 278830Request an estimate - Open 24 hours, 7 days a week - Par, St Austell, Cornwall - p.clarkey84@gmail.com Owner-operated pest control across mid and south Cornwall. 15 years on the tools, poisons avoided wherever possible, bees rehomed rather than destroyed. ## Services - Rats, mice & rodents - Moles - Squirrels - Rabbits - Air rifle pest control - Wasp nest removal - Gull & bird proofing - Pigeons - Bees — rehomed, never killed - All services ## Areas covered - St Austell - Par - Charlestown - Lostwithiel - Polgooth - Fowey - Mevagissey - St Mawes - Truro - Newquay - St Columb Major - Bodmin - All areas covered ## Get in touch - 07974 278830 - p.clarkey84@gmail.com - 74 Polgover Way, St BlazeyPar, St AustellCornwall PL24 2RD - Open 24 hours, 7 days a week ## Popular pest control searches in Cornwall - Rat control St Austell - Wasp nest removal Cornwall - Mole catcher Cornwall - Bee removal and rehoming Cornwall - Seagull proofing Cornwall - Air rifle squirrel & rabbit control Cornwall - Pest control St Austell - Pest control Truro - Pest control Newquay - Pest control Bodmin © 2026 Pest Management Cornwall. 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