Rare bees rehomed for Gwynedd manor house restoration

Beekeepers have carefully rehomed the bees living in the roof of Plas yn Rhiw in Gwynedd

Beekeepers have successfully rehomed 50,000 rare bees from a National Trust property while it gets a new roof.

Five swarms of Welsh black honey bees were living in the roof of Plas yn Rhiw, a manor house on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd.

The house, which was rescued from neglect, needs a completely new roof to replace the original from 1820.

When the house was placed in National Trust care in 1952, it came with an instruction not to disturb the bees.

Black honey bees were believed to be nearly extinct by the early 20th Century in all but the most remote parts of northern Britain.

The bees will be returned to their old home

The bees were collected and moved to hives nearby. 

"Additional small gaps around the eaves and under the slates at the ends of the building will be carefully added so the bees can return to their old home," the National Trust said.

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It said the beekeepers would then bring the hives back to Plas yn Rhiw's orchard this spring and allow the bees to find their own way back into their former home.

Plas yn Rhiw dates back to the 17th century

Eileen, Lorna and Honora Keating acquired the house, which has ornamental gardens, in 1938.

When they handed it over to the National Trust, they said: "We earnestly wish that the wild bees be undisturbed.

"May all occupiers of the property be requested to refrain from using poisonous sprays and preparations for the control of pests and advice on harmless methods be sought."The National Trust said it was uncommon to find bees in roof spaces, adding it was more typical with old houses for bats to be accommodated when new roofs are needed.

Beekeepers would then bring the hives back to Plas yn Rhiw this spring

"Plas yn Rhiw is home to common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and whiskered/Brandt's bats which are also being protected during the re-roofing project," the National Trust said.

The roof of the manor house has only been repaired in small patches over the past 200 years, but recent severe weather has caused it to deteriorate, the conservation organisation said.

Old slates will be reused where possible for the repairs, as well as more than 4,000 new Welsh slates from the Penrhyn quarry. 

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