hello , we live pretty close to farm country here in Zuchwil , and recently quite a few bees have decided it would be nice to move into our window frames (kitchen and bedroom)- not a problem but we do leave the bedroom window open at night and yesterday found a buzzing bee trying to infiltrate the wardrobe in the bedroom(slipped under the screen). also got some under the railing on the balcony.
after extensive go googling i am at a lose on how to get them to move on.(can't imagine they have alot of room there).all i get is call a bee keeper .
i use garlic (just throw the scrapes around the balcony) to keep the ants away - works like a charm.
really don't want to involve the hausewart as i know he will just spray, and i would rather have them move than be killed.
any ideas would be appreciated

I know someone who had a simular problem with Wasps. Apparently the Fire service are the people to deal with this. Think there was a charge for about 150chf, but this is a one off even if they come back.

Must admit I did spray my wasps nest, after the traps and other solutions did not work.

Bees and Wasps are searching for new homes right now, have seen them checking out several locations, so worth keeping an eye out for this and destroy any atempts to build a nest and/or block any holes they might try using.

I'm sorry I know zilch about bees, but your garlic strategy in dealing with ants got me smiling. You must not have many witches hovering around your house then.

If it is actually 'real' bees that are trying to take up house with you, I would suggest contacting a local bee keeper or asking a farmer, as there is a huge problem in Switzerland with the bees dying (Bienensterben). This is a problem not only for the honey industry, but also especially for apples, pears and cherries in CH. A beekeeper may come and 'rescue' the bees for you.

Good advice, if you can find a local Bee keeper, then worth contacting them and/or the Gemeinde for help.

I view Wasps as pests, but Bees with more respect (even though I have been stung by a Bee on at least one occasion, but that another story ).

If i might follow up the similar question as OP....

I am always a 'city girl' till moving to switzerland. I am not shameful to admit that I'm afraid of bee/wasp. In a way to avoid it, I try not to have any plant/color thing in my balcony but there're still quite of number of those flying in my apartment through the window gap...

I don't want them kill simply because I don't even want to get close to their dead bodies (yes, i'm freak out with this kind of lovely insects from the nature).

so my question is...other than leaving the country or keep my window shut in summer , both of which are not very nice to myself, what else could i do to discourage those bees/wasps from approaching my balcony e.g special plant, color, setting, smell etc? (mosquito net is one option but it's technically impossible to fix in my rented apartment.)

Your 'mercy' and help is appreciated.

Unfortunately I would not know about the plants (I have had suggestions in the past though and am almost sure some should be on the forum as well). However I used to have a Mosquito-net on the window, fixed by Velcro, sure they sell that at the DIY shops...

Good luck with the bees then!

Plants normally atract them, especially flowers. Also any food smells espcially 'sweet' smelling food or drinks.

Mosquito nets can be easily attached to windows using velcro that sticks the the frame (comes in the packet with the nets normally).

You can also setup traps to catch one's that do come to visit.

For nets and traps, checkout your local DIY (Bau & Hobby) i.e. Jumbo, Migros, Coop etc Not sure which is the nearest for you as I'm not sure where you are located.

thank you for all your advice , have been at the hospital with the wife all day (hip surgery, but thats another story).
i have the DIY window screens but they elastic and attach with a hook type thing at each corner (have to come down when the window is closed or the window locking locking bolts will cut the screen) - if i had "normal" up/down windows i would have gotten the velcro type screens.

they are real bee's but i live on the second (3rd) floor and i think a beekeeper would pass on getting them out of their aluminum window frame home. but i will certainly ask .

and yes i have a Swiss wife so the balcony is a flower garden. and thats not gonna change .

i kill Wasps all the time with my spray bottle of soapy water , and if i didn't want to "get near their dead bodies" after i would just use the vacuum cleaner

Thanks again for all your help - don't think i wanna call the fire dept as the neighbors (especially the hausewart) might not appreciate that., gonna see if i can velcro around the latch hole of these windows , and talk to a beekeeper.

Oh and Szhjcn i live near Solothurn - you know the town with zero witch population- about halfway between Biel and Olten, have all those shops near me