Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Tonight we’re high up on a roof in a quiet suburban neighbourhood. Because houses here are built so closely together and many families have pets, working at night is non-negotiable. African honeybees can be incredibly dangerous when defensive, and the “night shift” ensures the community stays safe while we work.

The “Fallen” Nest Mystery

As we pulled the first few tiles, we discovered a fascinating architectural quirk. It looked like a section of the comb had actually fallen deep into the wall cavity years ago. Instead of abandoning it, the bees simply continued to build around it, anchoring the old pieces to the new structure.

• The Challenge: Unlike hives built purely on the rafters, this one was a literal jigsaw puzzle of old and new comb, wedged between wooden beams and tiles.
• The Strategy: We had to move slowly to avoid breaking the fragile wax. If the honey-filled sections break, they create a sticky mess that drips down the walls and attracts pests.

Surgical Vacuuming

We fired up the BeeVac to clear the workers as we exposed each layer of comb.

• Managing Suction: Years of practice have taught us to find the “Goldilocks” setting—strong enough to catch the bees before they scatter, but gentle enough not to harm them or suck up heavy honey, which can damage the vacuum.
• The Rat’s Nest: Interestingly, we found signs that a rat had previously used this exact cavity. It’s a common theme: once a space is weather-proofed and insulated, it’s a prime “hotel” for all sorts of suburban wildlife before the bees eventually move in and take over.

Solving the Jigsaw

One of the best parts of this removal was discovering that the bees had built primarily on a top plate rather than directly onto the tiles.

• Clean Removal: This allowed us to “peel” the nest back in large, clean sections.
• Reading the Bees: We were thrilled to see that the colony remained exceptionally calm. Even as we cut through the honey and brood sections, they didn’t “run” down into the walls. Instead, they grouped upward, making it much easier to collect the entire colony.

The Verdict: Another Colony Secured

While not the largest roof removal we’ve done lately, this one was certainly one of the most interesting. We managed to secure a decent amount of healthy brood and a calm, productive workforce. These ladies are now heading back to the apiary to be settled into a standard hive.

Have you ever seen a hive built in such a strange, “jigsaw” fashion? It’s amazing how these bees adapt to their environment! Tell us your thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget to Subscribe and hit the Like button to support our humane removals.