Insurance doesn't cover this

[Bakersdozen]

I received a phone call from my sister-in-law regarding this oozing from the overhang of their house.

I put her in touch with a beekeeper that will tackle this type of project.  He starts work this afternoon.  I hope to get back over there in time to see how it's going and take more pictures.
If I were the betting type, I would bet there aren't any bees alive in there.  What does everyone else think?

[Gypsi]

the bees usually stop the honey from dripping  Hope that beekeeper takes tools that can have the bug spray removed from them easily.

[Riverrat]

Another good example of someone not wanting to pay to have bees removed and spraying instead. I hope they get the contaminated honey removed before the robber bees start in on it. 

[riverbee]

i am betting the same bakers, no live bees, and what rat said about the robbers. it is unfortunate.  keep us posted.

[Perry]

Did I miss something? Were these sprayed? My guess is probably, but there wasn't a mention of it.

[Riverrat]

A quick test to see if they have been sprayed.  1st Ask the homeowner if they like honey. 2nd once hive is opened up and comb honey is visible ask them if they would like to try some of the honey telling them how good it is.  You will find  if they have sprayed the hive they will turn down the offer to try the honey

[Gypsi]

Good suggestion Riverrat!

[Bakersdozen]

Everyone's responses are very interesting.  These bees were never sprayed.  My sister in law called me to see if I knew someone that could save the bees.  I explained to her that all the honey and comb would have to come out of there because of ants, mice and future bees.  I don't think there are any bees still alive because, although I saw 2 bees working some flowers right below the drip, there was no activity around that area of the house.  Also, I wondered why there weren't any bees robbing that honey.  That made me think that the honey had fermented or had been slimed by wax moth larvae or something.
Another interesting side note: they never saw any bee activity.  The dripping honey was the first sign that they had a problem.  I suppose their routine is to enter and leave the house by the garage door. 

[Riverrat]

How long have they lived there.  If they never saw signs of bees I wonder if the previous owner sprayed them and sealed up the opening

[riverbee]

bakers i wasn't certain they had been sprayed.....being the beekeeper in the family, i thought maybe your sister in law would have called you when they saw bees coming and going?  when i saw the honey dripping, i thought there's no live bees in there...interesting that there are no robbers?  perhaps as you said, wax moth, or other pest moved in, but what caused the bees either to die out or move out? very curious.

[Bakersdozen]

How long have they lived there.  If they never saw signs of bees I wonder if the previous owner sprayed them and sealed up the opening

The family raised their kids there and they are now all, but one, out of college.  So, they have lived there for about 20 years.  With the kids away at college the last few years, they probably didn't spend much time out front, except to mow the grass and such.  My sister in law said that they had that area repaired about 4 years ago and didn't notice bees then. 
I haven't had a chance to go or call over there to see what they found.

[Gypsi]

Small Hive Beetle active in that area?  That will foul some honey for sure.

[Riverrat]

Small Hive Beetle active in that area?  That will foul some honey for sure.

I had the same thought.  And we do have SHB in this area

[Bakersdozen]

The verdict is in.  Time to update everyone on what was found at my sister-in-law's house.  It wasn't honey at all, it was resin from the relatively new repair work that had been done.  Good news for sure.
I had asked my sister-in-law if anyone had tasted it.  No one had, but they were sure if her youngest had been home from college, he would have.  I was not able to reach the drippy stuff, but I would have at least touched it.