Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => RAPID BEEYARD GROWTH => Topic started by: gardeningfireman on January 11, 2011, 06:14:34 pm

Title: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: gardeningfireman on January 11, 2011, 06:14:34 pm
I have a backyard business selling plants and honey. I want to do live bee removals this year for a fee. I know from the dept. of taxation that it is a taxable service. BUT, do I need a license such as exterminator or pest control? Technically, it is not exterminating, and I would not be doing other pest removals or using pesticides. I looked at Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Agriculture, and Dept. of Taxation, and couldn't find the answer. I am in Ohio. JP, do you know the answer? :-\
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: Kathyp on January 11, 2011, 07:22:50 pm
don't need one here....but, your problem  may not be with pest control. it may be with construction unions.  make sure you are not going to step on toes there.  they can be nasty.

hey, if you don't get an answer, try calling some pest control companies.  not only may they know the answer, but they may refer business to you.  i am finding that many of them don't want to do it, and some have passed on my name.  don't even know how they know i do it unless they just looked on the computer.
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: rdy-b on January 11, 2011, 07:47:59 pm
  you may need business license-but YOU ARE A BEEKEEPER and are EXEMPT from
the need of a pest control operators CERTIFICATION OR LICENSE-just dont do pest control work-you are limited to beekeepers scope -dont use chems.--RDY-B
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: David McLeod on January 11, 2011, 08:09:32 pm
Check with your dept of natural resources or fish and game to verify that bees are not considered wildlife. I've drawn fire here for what I do or more specifically my opinions regarding it but if bees are considered wildlife it may fall under NWCO (nuisance wildlife control operations) licensing. If not then you're good to go. I really hope they are not as beeks don't need another busybody agency to have to deal with.
I would though, again this is JMO, seriously consider carrying some sort of general liability insurance if I were charging for my service. One slip off a ladder or disgruntled client and you can see where it could lead. I've been doing this for a number of years and despite my accusers I really want to see more new blood in the industry even if they only want to be a specialist in just one small part of what's available. All I would ask, as I would of any human being, is to be good people and do good work.
Just remember the day and age we operate in, as I am sure you already are with your other enterprises, and be sure to always keep CYA on your mind especially as it comes to business.
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: Beewrangler on January 11, 2011, 08:19:17 pm
I have been doing live bee removals  in Kansas for about 6 years now. In this state as long as you are not using chemicals (bleach, pesticides, wasp/hornet sprays) you don't need a pest control license. Of course this may differ from one state to the next. I have been considering getting a pest control license because I have found that as much as I hate to do it sometimes the bees just have to be killed. Usually in a case like this the bees are just in a place that is unaccessible. This is usually in a tree. I know this can be done as a trap out but the time it takes to do this is just not cost effective for me or my customers. Until I get a license I will just have to decline these types of removals. The one chemical that I have been able to use is soap with a little bleach. I get around this by saying that it is for "cleaning". And yes I do some actual cleaning with it but it also does a great job killing bees (usually the ones that return after all of the comb has been removed).

Hope this helps
If you have anymore questions put them on here or feel free to send me a PM
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: gardeningfireman on January 11, 2011, 08:30:53 pm
Thanks everyone! I would not be doing construction repairs, so the construction unions would have no beef. I would limit it to live honeybee removals only; no other critters. I have a sales vendor's license, but I would need to get one for service to do the cutouts. Of course, if the state wants an exterminators' license, then I would just do the cutouts for free and accept cash as payment for my charming presence! :-D
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: AllenF on January 11, 2011, 10:51:36 pm
Or barter for goods.   Do you know just how far a case of beer goes now.......................
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: hardwood on January 11, 2011, 11:05:56 pm
But be very careful...wouldn't want to get a R.U.I. (removal under the influence)

Scott
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: JP on January 12, 2011, 12:27:22 am
I have a backyard business selling plants and honey. I want to do live bee removals this year for a fee. I know from the dept. of taxation that it is a taxable service. BUT, do I need a license such as exterminator or pest control? Technically, it is not exterminating, and I would not be doing other pest removals or using pesticides. I looked at Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Agriculture, and Dept. of Taxation, and couldn't find the answer. I am in Ohio. JP, do you know the answer? :-\

Check with your state's particular set of rules governing bee removal. Don't be surprised if there aren't any.

If they try make you jump through too many hopes, consider subbing yourself out either to a pest control company or tree company, some entity that has to deal with bees on a regular basis.

You could also work with a contractor and y'all could offer repairs under his license, his insurance. I have two contractor friends who do jobs with me and they get all kinds of other jobs from our removals. Its a win win for them.


...JP
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: AllenF on January 12, 2011, 12:38:02 am
I don't know if the contractor's general liability would cover bee removal.   But look into it.   I know my gen liability only covers just so much with what I do.
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: JP on January 12, 2011, 12:44:41 am
Man, just go and remove some hives for God's sakes! Ain't hardly anybody really concerned with rules when they have bees living in their home. They just want them gone!

Don't use anything other than water or its considered a chemical.


...JP
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: AllenF on January 12, 2011, 12:51:14 am
 :-D
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: JP on January 12, 2011, 01:37:24 am
:-D

That was my point exactly!  :-D


...JP
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: VolunteerK9 on January 12, 2011, 01:24:24 pm
But be very careful...wouldn't want to get a R.U.I. (removal under the influence)

Scott

Yup and get tackled and probed by the neighbors satellite dish again  :-D
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: AllenF on January 12, 2011, 08:28:39 pm
Steve's Drunk and High DUI at Work (Arrested on Scissor Lift) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30InBgGhiSo#)
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: hardwood on January 12, 2011, 08:50:06 pm
 :lau: :lau: Now that thar's funny!

Scott
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: David McLeod on January 12, 2011, 10:07:40 pm
I know that guy. I wondered what ever happened to my old saw man. LOL Looks like quite a few of the old framing crews I used to run.
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: gardeningfireman on January 12, 2011, 10:40:10 pm
LOL!  I got my answer today. Per OH Dept. of Taxation, I need a service vendor's license ($25). That's it. They define exterminating as removing vermin or pests, not necessarily killing them or using chemicals. I can live with that.
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: AllenF on January 12, 2011, 10:50:50 pm
Bingo.
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: JP on January 13, 2011, 01:52:14 am
That was friggin' funny!


...JP
Title: Re: License for live honeybee removal needed?
Post by: Dave360 on January 14, 2011, 12:29:14 am
 :-D