Protect your home or business from bees by learning techniques for identification and control. Clade AnthophilaSuper-family ApoideaUp to 3. 9 cmBlack or brown.
Bees are winged insects with more than 20,000 recorded species found globally. Bees can be black or brown with red, yellow or lustrous blue stripes. Megachile pluto, the largest of these creatures, is reported to be 3. 9 cm long, while Perdita minima, the most diminutive of bees, are shorter than 2 mm long.
If you have an unwanted bee infestation on your property, you may be tempted to call the first exterminator you find. However, not all pest control companies are equipped to properly remove bee colonies. When it comes to bees, it’s important to find an experienced bee exterminator to safely and humanely remove the colony.
As a homeowner how do you go about finding a qualified bee exterminator near you? Here are some tips to help you choose the right pro for the job.
Confirm You Have Bees
Before calling an exterminator you’ll want to confirm that you are actually dealing with honey bees rather than wasps, hornets or other stinging insects. Honey bees have fuzzy brown and amber striped bodies while wasps are smooth and brightly colored yellow and black.
You can double check by texting a photo of the insects to a local beekeeper or exterminator and asking them to identify it. Only get close to snap a photo if it is completely safe to do so
Understand Your Removal Options
If you do have honey bees, you have a couple of options for removal:
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Beekeeper removal – Many beekeepers offer swarm removal services, safely relocating the bees to an apiary. This is the most humane option when done properly.
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Exterminator removal – Some exterminators will eliminate bee colonies with pesticides. This kills the bees rather than relocating them.
While beekeeper removal is ideal, it may not always be readily available in your area. Talk to the exterminator about their specific removal practices to understand if and how they will kill the colony.
Look for Specific Bee Experience
General pest control companies may eliminate bee infestations, but they don’t always have specialized training and equipment. Look for an exterminator that advertises specific expertise in:
- Bee identification
- Bee biology and behavior
- Safe bee removal techniques
- Bee relocation methods
This helps ensure they can properly identify your insects, remove nests safely, and handle bees humanely if relocating them.
Ask About Licensing and Insurance
States require exterminators to hold certain licenses to apply pesticides or perform wildlife control. Ask to see the company’s licenses and certifications.
Liability insurance and workers compensation coverage is also important protection for you as the property owner. Reputable companies will carry adequate policies.
Get Estimates from Multiple Exterminators
Don’t go with the first bee exterminator you find. Contact 3-5 highly rated companies in your area to compare services and pricing. Be sure to get written estimates detailing exactly what is included.
Ask questions about their specific approach, equipment, relocation methods and any warranties. Go with the exterminator that makes you feel most confident in their experience, practices and professionalism.
Can You DIY Bee Removal?
Attempting to remove a bee colony without proper training and protective equipment is extremely risky and not advisable. The swarm will become highly defensive, making stings likely.
Leave bee removal to the professionals. They have the right tools and knowledge to complete the job as safely as possible, for both you and the bees.
Call Bee Experts for Help
Dealing with an unwanted bee colony on your property can be stressful. By taking time to research and choosing an experienced local bee exterminator, you can ensure the situation is handled properly. Prioritize companies that offer bee relocation over extermination whenever possible.
If you need fast help removing a bee infestation near your home, contact a [bee expert from our exterminator directory] today! Our licensed pros can quickly assess your situation and take care of your bee problem humanely and efficiently.
How do I get rid of bees?
Consider contacting a local beekeeper to relocate the nest. If it’s a honey bee nest, a beekeeper can look at the situation and decide if it’s possible to get rid of the nest. For more information on honey bee nest relocation, contact a local bee keeper or an apiary society. If a beekeeper cannot remove the nest, contact us for assistance.
People often mistake bees for wasps, so it’s important to know which species is living near your home. Each needs a different treatment plan.
It’s also important to know the best ways to apply it, as well as the risks and limitations of each method. In many regions, special licenses are required to treat infestations.
The only way to rid a home of bees is to remove the hive entirely. For safety and efficiency purposes, contact your local pest management professional for help with bee control.
Bees sometimes make their way into homes while looking for a place to nest. The insects prefer dark and protected areas, so wall voids or chimneys often fit their needs. Any living space exposed to the outside is at risk for bee infestations. Some species that nest in holes in walls can get into the living space through baseboards, electrical outlets, and wall cracks.
Bees are good for the environment in many ways, but letting a beehive grow near your home is annoying and could be dangerous. In general, bees only sting to protect themselves or defend a nest. Most stings are only mildly painful, but some people may have an allergic reaction.
Hives filled with honey inside wall voids may ferment over time. This can:
- Attract other insects
- Damage support structures
- Stain surrounding structures
What do bees eat?
Pollen can only be transferred by female bees, but all bees have a tongue-like organ that they can use to drink nectar from flowers. This nectar is their primary source of energy. Pollen is food for both adult and larval bees because it has protein and other nutrients they need to stay alive. Bees have an organ that turns nectar into honey. Depending on the species, honey is stored in the hive or colony.
The most well-documented and encountered bee swarms are those of honey bees. Typically, honey bee swarms are not a major threat, unless when dealing with Africanized honey bees. The bees do not have a nest or young and, therefore, are less defensive. But, they will sting if provoked.
Bee swarming typically occurs in colonies that are thriving and with robust populations. Weak colonies may not swarm until they become stronger and larger in population. Starvation, disease, or failing queens are common factors that make a colony weak. Seasonal changes and overcrowding a just a couple reasons swarms occur.
Swarming involves a contingent of workers and a queen departing the original colony. The swarm typically gathers at a resting site, often in a tree, after leaving the colony. Scouts are sent to locate a new location, such as in a log or other cavity. Once a suitable location is found, the swarm will move to the site and begin to nest.
Two kinds of bee swarms occur: primary and secondary. The queen bees are in charge of primary swarms, which have a lot of workers who look out for the egg-laying queen. Two or three virgin female bees lead secondary swarms. These swarms are half as big as primary swarms and don’t happen as often.
Learn about different types of bee stings and the varying levels of allergic reactions people may have.
The temperature outside and the flowering season are two of the most important things that determine when bees are most active.
The life cycle of bees starts with the queen, who can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day.
Nests can help you identify which species of bees are near your home.
An easy way to attract bees is to fill your garden with bee-friendly plants like daisies and zinnias.
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Pest Control : How to Get Rid of Bees
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