How Drone Surveys Help Identify and Manage Insect Nests Safely!

Case Study No. 011
 
Client. Principle Estates Management
 
Overview. Client asked to carry out a bee survey
  
Industry. Private/Residential
 
Project Name. Moor Croft
 
Project Location. Birmingham
 
Brief / Challenge.  TLC Pest Control was tasked with identifying a potential insect infestation at a block of maisonettes in Birmingham. The primary challenge lay in determining whether the nest belonged to honey bees or wasps, as each species requires a different approach to management. Given the nest’s difficult-to-reach location, our team needed a safe, accurate, and non-intrusive method to carry out the survey. By leveraging drone technology, we aimed to conduct a thorough assessment while ensuring the safety of residents and protecting beneficial pollinators if bees were present.
                 

Survey Finding. Our drone survey provided a clear, high-resolution view of the nest, allowing our team to observe the insects’ physical characteristics and behaviour from a safe distance. The footage revealed sleek, shiny bodies with bold black and yellow colouring, along with flat legs that hung down during flight—key indicators of wasps. Their behaviour also matched the typical aggression of wasps, especially as we approached late summer.

By confirming the presence of wasps rather than honey bees, we were able to formulate a safe and effective removal plan, ensuring the safety of the residents while avoiding unnecessary harm to valuable pollinators.

The service we delivered. Following the drone survey, we identified the bee nest on the left-hand side of the property. Given our commitment to preserving pollinators, we recommended scheduling the bee extraction for April when temperatures consistently reach 14 degrees Celsius or higher. This timing ensures the maximum survival rate of the bees, as attempting to relocate them during colder months could be fatal to the colony.

Our approach prioritises both safety and sustainability—keeping residents secure while protecting an essential species for our ecosystem. We’ll return in the spring to do the extraction.

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