Swarm of Bees Turns Boiler Repair into Sticky Situation

Boiler breakdowns are nothing unusual for Gas Safe engineers, but one callout in Littleport turned into something extraordinary. Instead of a simple repair, an engineer discovered a swarm of 10,000 bees nesting inside the boiler.

The unusual job came from M8trix Precision Engineering, where manager Colin Burbidge reported that his new boiler had stopped working just five months after installation.

A Hive Inside the Boiler

When the engineer removed the cover, he was met with a buzzing surprise a fully formed beehive coating the inside of the appliance. Not something taught in a standard gas appliance repair course!

Boiler Service

Ensure your boiler runs efficiently and safely with our professional boiler servicing. Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run and potentially prevent breakdowns.

Schedule a Boiler Service

Beekeepers Called to Help

Local beekeepers Carol and Stuart Palmer of Ten Mile Bank were called in to handle the infestation. The couple had only recently started their beekeeping journey and had never faced a challenge like this before.

Carol explained that the bees most likely entered through the air intake pipe and had been building their colony for six to eight weeks. With advice from more experienced aspirants, the Palmers cut out the honeycomb to encourage the bees to move along.

Pest Control Services

Don’t let pests take over your home. From wasps and hornets to rats and mice, our professional pest control team removes infestations fast, restoring comfort and hygiene.

Buy Pest Control!

Four Hours of Careful Work

The majority of bees were safely guided into a nucleus box to start a new hive the Palmers’ second one. “The bees seemed perfectly happy in the boiler until we turned up,” Carol joked.

The process took about four hours, but the aftermath left the engineer with more than just a repair job. The inside of the boiler was coated in honey, creating a very sticky clean-up.

A Story to Remember

Mr. Burbidge admitted he had no idea the bees were there. “The boiler was sealed, so I didn’t hear any buzzing,” he said. While strange noises from a boiler don’t usually signal a pest problem, this case proved to be the exception.

The bees were safely rehomed, the hive removed, and the boiler repaired. But for everyone involved, it was a repair job they’ll never forget.

Need Boiler Help?

While it’s unlikely you’ll find a hive inside your boiler, unexpected issues do happen. If your boiler, heating system, or home appliances let you down, our Gas Safe engineers are here to help.

Call us today on 0345 3192 247 for quick diagnostics and repairs, getting you back up and running without the sticky surprises.

Boiler Insurance You Can Trust

Get boiler breakdown and landlord cover including free annual boiler service.

Choose your policy type

Get Boiler Cover Get Landlord Cover