How Can We Protect Workers from Honey Bee Hazards at Our Construction Site?

In our plant, we are constructing a large shed for our material storage. The maximum height of the shed is around 35 meters. The workers are working at the top of the shed while wearing reflective jackets.

In this scenario, while the workers are at the top, honey bees suddenly appear and rest on their bodies and on the top of their helmets. It is unclear whether these bees are attracted by the reflective jackets or for another reason. One day, the honey bees even built a comb on a worker's helmet and came down to the worker's neck. The worker remained still, and after about 25-30 minutes, the bees eventually left, and the worker came down safely.

Seeking Honey Bee Repellent Solutions

Is there any honey bee repellent available in the market that we could provide to the workers to apply on their jackets or directly on their bodies to prevent honey bee attacks?

If anyone knows of such a product or has any other solutions to address this issue, please come forward and help. Currently, we have advised all workers to remove their jackets, but this measure has not been effective as the bees continue to come.

This honey bee issue is the most significant hazard we are facing in our project at the moment.

Thank you.

We are also building a high structure. Although this problem has not occurred at our site, the bee hives do rest on the horizontal surfaces of any tall building. I am unsure if the reflective jacket is attracting the bees. However, you may try applying a thin layer of high-temperature grease on the helmet. Additionally, you can consider pest control at that height. With pest control, the bees should not return for at least 2 months. If you are interested, I can provide you with the contact information of a pest control service provider with whom you can discuss the chemicals that are being sprayed.

In our case, the bee hives (bee comb) used to develop on the structure, causing a delay in the roofing work of at least 15 days. Finally, after we removed the bee hives, we applied a thin layer of high-temperature grease which acted as a repellent. Please try these suggestions and provide feedback.

NB: Honey bees will not attack humans unless they are provoked.

Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir

Bee Hives in Construction Sites

Bee hives are common in construction sites, particularly in steel structures. Pest control applicators are available in every town/city. I have used pest control professionals in many sites to prevent the bee menace.

Regards,
Pon

Please contact the government institute; they may guide you with better options. I used their advice in my earlier factory, with nearly 50 to 70 beehives at a time in the production area.

Central Bee Research and Training Institute

Pune
Telefax: 020-25655351, 020-25675865

Capt. Rajeshwar Singh