How to Get Rid of a Bee Infestation in Your House

Discovering bees in or around your home can be alarming. A few stray bees are usually nothing to worry about, but a full-blown bee infestation requires swift action. When bees invade your living spaces, it’s time to take control of the situation before things get out of hand.

Identifying the Type of Bees

The first step is identifying what type of bee you’re dealing with This will determine the best way to remove them Common house-infesting bees include

• Honeybees – Live in hives of up to 60,000 bees. Nest in hollow trees, logs, attics, wall voids.
• Bumblebees – Live in smaller colonies of up to 400. Nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows.
• Carpenter bees – Solitary bees that burrow into wood. Look for quarter-sized holes in eaves, siding, etc.

Take photos of the bees and compare to guides online, Knowing the species will help you and the pros determine the scope of the infestation,

Signs of an Infestation

How do you know if you have a full-blown bee infestation versus just a few stray bees? Signs include:

• Seeing 10+ bees per day inside the home or emerging from a single area outside.
• Lots of buzzing noises coming from a void in walls, attic, etc.
• Accumulation of wax, honeycomb, or bee droppings around the nesting area.
• Multiple bees hovering outside at night around light fixtures.

If you observe these signs, it likely indicates a sizable bee colony has moved in. Act quickly before the colony grows even larger.

Dangers of Bee Infestations

Bee infestations aren’t just a nuisance – they also pose health and safety risks such as:

• Stings – Getting stung becomes more likely with hundreds or thousands of bees around. Stings can be dangerous for those allergic.
• Structural damage – Large amounts of wax and honeycomb can damage walls, attics, etc. Carpenter bees bore into wood.
• Attracting pests – Beeswax and honey attract rodents, insects, and other unwanted visitors.
• Swarming behavior – Disturbing large hives may cause aggressive swarming. Very dangerous!

The longer an infestation goes untreated, the worse these dangers can become. Don’t delay in taking care of it.

Removing Bee Infestations from Inside Your House

If you have bees in your home’s walls, attic, or other voids, professional removal is strongly recommended. DIY methods like spraying insecticides into wall voids are unsafe and rarely effective. Here are your best options:

Call beekeepers – They can often safely remove live honeybee colonies for relocation. This helps the environment since honeybees are declining.

Hire a bee removal specialist – They have the proper tools and training to remove bee colonies and their entire nests. This prevents reinfestation. They can also make necessary repairs.

Seal entry points – After removal, sealing cracks, holes, and other entryways is crucial for keeping new swarms out. Use caulk, expanding foam, hardware cloth, or other sealants.

Following up removal with preventative exclusion work is key to keeping your house bee-free long-term.

Getting Rid of Bees Nesting Outdoors

For outdoor nests not directly attached to your home’s structure, you may have other options:

Insecticidal dust – Products like Sevin dust, when applied correctly into nest openings, can safely eliminate ground nests. Wear protective equipment.

Remove attractants – Bees gravitate toward certain areas due to nearby water sources, fragrant plants, etc. Eliminating attractants can discourage nesting.

Install traps – Bee traps lure them in but prevent escape. Traps must be regularly emptied to maintain effectiveness.

Call a pro – For nests inside outdoor structures or high up on eaves, professional removal may still be required. DIY methods can disturb large hives.

As a last resort if the infestation is contained and away from people, doing nothing is an option. The colony may die out come winter or relocate on their own. But monitor it closely.

DIY Removal Dangers

It may be tempting to tackle a bee problem yourself, but this often backfires badly. Dangers of DIY removal include:

• Spraying insecticides into wall voids or nests angers bees and causes swarming.

• Attempting to suck up bees with a vacuum cleaner releases pheromones that attract more bees.

• Knocking down an exterior nest can miss the hidden brood comb deep in wall spaces leading to reinfestation.

• Attempting removal without proper protective gear leads to multiple stings.

Unless you have professional-level training and equipment, it’s too risky. Paying a pro is worthwhile to avoid DIY dangers.

Preventing Bee Infestations

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to avoiding future bee issues:

• Install 1⁄4 inch hardware cloth over areas bees can access like vents, chimneys, weep holes, etc.

• Caulk and seal cracks, crevices, and openings along exterior walls, rooflines, windows, and doors.

• Remove food waste, fallen fruit, and other attractants quickly.

• Prune back trees and shrubs touching the structure.

• Reduce outdoor lighting which draws in foraging bees at night.

With diligence, these measures can deter bees from infiltrating your house in the first place. An ounce of prevention beats a pound of bees!

When to Call a Professional

If you spot more than a few stray bees or other worrisome signs, don’t delay in calling a pro. DIY removal of infestations often makes problems worse. Bee experts have the tools, protective gear, and knowledge for safe, effective removal.

Getting rid of a stubborn bee infestation requires patience and proper technique. With a professional handling it, you can breathe easy knowing your home is bee-free.