Infestations of bees can be dangerous, so you have every right to get rid of them. Bees have been known to invade living areas and homes of people. In such circumstances it is necessary to get rid of them. Bees are an essential part of our eco system as they help produce honey. Nevertheless, if their presence puts your safety at risk, you should get rid of them right away. Professionals in bee removal in Phoenix say that getting rid of a bee problem is easy if you know what to do. Let’s discuss the methods that you can use to protect yourself and your home from a bee infestation.
Bees play an important role in pollinating plants and crops, so you generally want to avoid killing bee hives. However, if you have a bee hive located where it poses a threat, you may need to exterminate it. Killing a bee hive can be dangerous, so make sure to take proper safety precautions.
When You Should Kill a Bee Hive
-
If you or someone in your home is allergic to bee stings, having a hive nearby poses a serious health risk.
-
If the hive is attached to your house, the bees could work their way inside, as well as cause structural damage over time as the hive expands.
-
If the bees from the hive are aggressively defending their territory and stinging you frequently extermination may be necessary.
-
Late winter/early spring when the hive population is lowest is the best time to kill a troublesome hive.
Safety Gear Needed
Exterminating a bee hive requires proper protective clothing and equipment
-
Bee suit or white coveralls, gloves, and bee veil to prevent stings. Leather gloves work best.
-
Insecticide spray or dust made specifically for killing bees. General bug sprays aren’t as effective.
-
Flashlight with red cellophane covering if doing the job at night when bees are less active Bees can’t see red light,
-
Heavy duty trash bags for disposing of the dead hive.
-
Tools for hive removal like hammer, pry bar, utility knife, etc. if attached to a structure.
When to Spray the Hive
Timing is important when spraying a bee hive with insecticide:
-
Early morning or late evening are best, when most bees are in the hive.
-
Avoid spraying in the heat of the day when bees are most active and may swarm.
-
Spray on a mild, calm evening with no wind, so insecticide doesn’t blow away.
-
At night bees are inactive but it’s harder to see; use red light to avoid agitating them.
How to Apply Insecticide
Follow these steps when applying insecticide:
-
Locate the main entry hole to the hive if possible. Insert nozzle and spray inside for several seconds.
-
If entry hole can’t be found, spray liberally all over exterior of hive. Will take longer to penetrate hive.
-
Use long sweeping motions across hive surface to coat it thoroughly.
-
Spray from a safe distance of 3-4 feet to avoid angry bees.
-
Retreat hive daily until no more bee activity is seen entering or exiting.
-
Never try to rob honey from a sprayed hive – it will be toxic!
Removing the Dead Hive
After spraying, wait several days before removing the hive to allow the insecticide to fully penetrate it. Before starting:
-
Carefully observe hive entrance for any bee activity. None should be seen.
-
Bring tools to pry away hive material once bees are dead.
-
Have heavy contractor trash bags ready to contain and dispose of hive debris.
When removing hive:
-
Wear protective suit in case any bees survived inside hive.
-
Pry hive material off structure carefully using pry bar and utility knife.
-
Place all wax, honey, and brood comb material immediately into trash bags.
-
Seal bags tightly and dispose of as soon as possible.
Preventing Future Hives
To help prevent more bee hives from being established after removing one:
-
Completely seal off opening if hive was inside a structure. Bees love cavities!
-
Install 1/8″ metal mesh screen over openings bees can access.
-
Caulk cracks and crevices on exterior walls, roof eaves, etc.
-
Keep tree branches and shrubs trimmed back from house.
-
Use bee repellents around doors and windows.
Killing a bee hive is sometimes necessary, but should always be a last resort after trying relocation. Safety is paramount, so hire a professional exterminator if you have any doubts about doing it yourself. With proper planning and care, you can eliminate the hive risks and avoid getting stung.
Protect Yourself and Others
It’s important to treat bees with respect, but it’s also important to keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from bee stings. Bee stings can be painful and, in some cases, can cause severe allergic reactions.
Before attempting to deal with a bee infestation, make sure you’re properly equipped. Wear protective clothing that covers your entire body, including gloves and a veil to protect your face. Avoid wearing dark colors or floral prints, as these can attract bees.
Keep children and pets away from the area until the infestation has been dealt with. Bees can get mean if they think their hive is in danger, and pets and kids might not know they should stay away from the hive.
This is something that should only be done by professionals if you’re not sure what to do or if you are allergic to bee stings. They can handle the situation safely and effectively, minimizing the risk to you and your loved ones.
What is the Source?
Prior to taking any major steps to get rid of bees, it is important to first figure out where the problem started. This step is often overlooked, leading to misidentification of the actual pest causing the problem. Many insects, like wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets, look a lot like bees, and it’s easy to get them mixed up if you’re not careful.
The first step in dealing with a bee infestation is to observe the hive from a safe distance. The type of insect you’re dealing with can be guessed from the way the hive is built and how it moves. Bees, for example, like to build their hives in safe places like tree hollows or wall holes. Wasps and hornets, on the other hand, like to build their nests in trees or under eaves that are open to the elements. The way the bugs act can also give you clues: bees are usually less mean than wasps and hornets unless they are provoked.
Remember, though, that getting too close to the hive can be dangerous because these bugs can get violent if they think their home is in danger. So, it’s best to keep a safe distance and watch the hive. If you can, get help from a professional pest control service. They have the necessary training and equipment to handle these situations safely and effectively.
Remember, correct identification of the pest is the first step towards effective pest control. If you know exactly what you’re dealing with, you can pick the best and most effective ways to get rid of the infestation. So, before you take any drastic measures, make sure you’ve correctly identified the source of the problem.
2 Ways To Kill A In Ground Bees Nest / How to KILL Ground Wasp and Yellow Jackets
FAQ
How do you euthanize a bee hive?
Will vinegar kill a beehive?
What is the best homemade bee killer?