Safely Removing Bees and Hornets From Your Home

Bees and hornets can be beneficial insects that help pollinate plants and control pest populations. However, having them build nests around your home can pose safety risks, especially if someone is allergic to stings. Learning the best methods for bee and hornet removal will allow you to keep your outdoor spaces safe.

Identifying Bees vs Hornets

The first step is identifying whether you are dealing with bees or hornets Here are some key identification tips

• Bees have fuzzy, round bodies with broad black and yellow stripes. They range from 0.4-0.6 inches long. Honeybees have small barbs on their stingers that get stuck in skin, so they can only sting once. Bumblebees are larger and furrier.

• Hornets have smooth, slender bodies with black and yellow or white stripes. They range from 075-15 inches long. Hornets can sting repeatedly. The two common hornets in the U.S. are European hornets (reddish-brown with yellow stripes) and bald-faced hornets (black and white stripes on head).

• Wasps include both hornets and paper wasps. Paper wasps have long, thin waists and make small open nests. Yellowjackets are black and yellow, with smooth bodies, and make nests underground.

• Bees make nests in hollow trees, while hornets make paper-like nests hanging from branches and eaves. Wasps make wavy gray nests with multiple entrances.

Dangers of Bee and Hornet Nests

While bees are generally docile, wasps and hornets are more aggressive, especially when defending a nest. Their stings can be very painful. People with allergies can also suffer life-threatening reactions to just one sting.

Having stinging insects nesting in or on your home also increases the chances of getting stung. Hornets and wasps may fly inside if nest entrances are nearby. Disturbing a nest often provokes an attack as they swarm to defend it.

Removal is safest when nests are small. Large nests with hundreds of insects pose greater risks. Trying to remove them yourself without proper preparation puts you in danger of being stung repeatedly.

When to Call a Professional

Here are some cases when it’s best to hire a professional bee or hornet removal service:

• The nest is very large (bigger than a basketball).
• It is located high up or hard to access, like on the roof.
• You are uncomfortable with heights, using ladders, or getting stung.
• You or someone in your home has bee/hornet allergies.
• You’ve tried DIY removal but bees/hornets keep returning.

Licensed exterminators have the right gear and expertise to remove nests safely. They also know how to prevent new nests in the future.

DIY Bee Removal

If you have a small honeybee hive located low on a tree or building, you may be able to remove it yourself:

• Wear protective clothing such as a bee suit, veil, and thick gloves.
• Work at night when most bees are in the hive and less active.
• Use a flat tool like a paint scraper to dislodge the hive and direct it into a trash bag.
• Seal the bag tightly and put it in a freezer overnight to kill the bees.
• Fill the gap where the hive was with caulk or expanding foam to prevent a new nest.

Contact a local beekeeper to safely relocate the hive if you want to save the bees. Never spray insecticides on honeybees.

DIY Wasp and Hornet Removal

Removing small wasp and hornet nests yourself is possible with caution and the right tools:

• Wear protective clothing to avoid stings on your body.
• Work at night when insects are less active and all are inside the nest.
• Use a flashlight to locate the nest. Look under eaves and porch railings.
• Spray nests thoroughly with wasp and hornet spray or dust insecticide. These can shoot 10-20 feet.
• Wait at least 24 hours and check the nest. Respray if any activity remains.
• Knock down the nest with a broom or pruner. Place it in a sealed plastic bag.
• Fill holes and gaps with caulk to discourage new nests from forming.

Natural Wasp and Hornet Control

If you want to avoid pesticides, these natural methods can help eliminate wasps and hornets:

• Make traps using 2-liter soda bottles filled with fruit juice or soda to lure insects inside. Add dish soap to drown them.
• Spray nests with soapy water which suffocates insects and neutralizes pheromones so others don’t return.
• Apply essential oils like peppermint, cinnamon, or tea tree oil which repel wasps. Spray around windows, doors, and other entry points.
• Use fake nests which mimic pheromones of live colonies to deter new ones from forming.
• Hang mesh bags of water near nests. Reflections confuse wasps and cause them to abandon the area.
• Encourage natural predators like birds, spiders, and dragonflies which feed on stinging insects.

Being attentive and taking action at the first signs of nests will allow you to resolve bee and hornet problems before they escalate. Seek help from professionals when DIY removal seems too difficult or dangerous. With the right techniques, you can reclaim your outdoor living spaces and prevent stinging insects from returning in the future.