Bees flying around or inside your home can be annoying and even dangerous. Finding where they are entering from is the first step to getting rid of them. With some detective work you can locate their access point and block it to prevent bees from returning.
Watch for Clues
The best way to start finding where bees are coming from is to observe where you see them. Pay attention to the rooms they seem to frequent and windows or walls they fly around. Also, listen closely to try and hear buzzing, which may indicate a hive inside the walls. Some signs bees may be nesting inside include:
- Bees near a certain window or wall repeatedly over several days
- Bees clustered on the same area outside
- Buzzing sounds coming from voids in walls, chimneys, attics
- Small holes in siding, cracks around windows, or gaps in brickwork
Be on the lookout for these clues to help pinpoint problem areas.
Inspect Outside
Take a tour of the exterior of your home to look for access points Check areas like
- Gaps around windows, doors, and siding
- Cracks or holes in the foundation
- Openings in exterior vents
- Underside of eaves and overhangs
- Chimney flues
- Areas where cables or pipes enter the house
Any small crack or crevice could allow bees to get inside. Look for the busiest spots where you see the most bees entering and exiting.
Check the Attic and Basement
Bees may find ways to access hidden voids inside your home’s walls from the attic or basement. In the attic, look along the interior roof line for gaps around chimneys, vents, and gables.
In the basement or crawlspace, check the sill plate, which is the wood beam running along where the foundation meets the wall framing. Look for cracks or deteriorating areas.
Listen at Walls
If you can narrow down the area bees seem focused on but can’t find an exterior access point, the hive may be inside a wall void. Turn out the lights and listen closely along walls in the room. Get your ear right up to the drywall and listen for buzzing or humming. This is a sign of bees inside.
Inspect Vents
Vents provide another way for bees to sneak inside. Bathroom vents, stove vents, and dryer vents all lead outside and could have an opening. Lean close and listen at each vent to check for bee activity. The buzzing will be loudest at the problem vent where they are entering.
Call a Professional
If the bees have gotten into voids inside your home’s walls, attic, or chimney, removal can be tricky. Trying to seal holes while the hive is still active inside won’t solve the problem. Filling cracks could even trap bees inside the walls to die.
The best solution is calling a pest control professional or beekeeper who can safely remove the bees and hive first before sealing up entrance points. They have the proper tools and techniques to relocate bees without harming them.
After removal, they can then identify all access holes and gaps so you can seal these up. Look for companies experienced in bee control and exclusion techniques to fully eliminate bees from your home.
Prevent Bees from Returning
Sealing cracks and blocking entrance ways is key to keeping bees out after removing a hive. Some tips include:
- Caulk around windows, doors, pipes, vents, etc.
- Seal openings in siding and the foundation with expanding foam
- Cover vents with fine mesh screen
- Install door sweeps and weatherstripping
- Screen chimney flues and tops
Maintenance is important to keep seals intact. Check for new gaps or cracks annually and re-caulk as needed to avoid providing entryways again.
With diligence, detective work, and proper exclusion methods, you can successfully rid your home of unwanted bees for good. Pay attention to signs of new bee activity and address it promptly to prevent another infestation.
StepsPart
- Will a bee lead you back to its hive? Steve Downs is the owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc., a licensed bee removal and relocation business in the Los Angeles, California metro area. He is also a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist and a Honey bee Preservationist. Steve has more than 20 years of experience capturing and removing bees in a humane way from both businesses and homes. Steve works with beekeepers, farmers, and bee hobbyists to set up beehives all over the Los Angeles area and fights for bees’ survival. He really wants to protect honeybees, so he made his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued beehives are moved and kept safe. Expert Answer from Steve Downs: If you see bees on your property, you can try to follow them as they fly back to their hive to figure out where they are going. However, this only works sometimes.
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- Long-sleeved shirt and pants
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Gloves
- Hat with veil
- Honeycomb
- Artificial nectar
- Bee box
- Stopwatch
- Compass
- GPS tool (optional)
- Lemongrass oil (optional)
- Clippers (optional)
- Bee brush (optional)
How To Know If Bees Are Living In Your House
FAQ
How to get rid of bees when you can’t find the nest?
How do you find where bees are getting in?
What does it mean when bees keep coming in your house?
Why do I have bees all of a sudden?
How do you find a bee hive?
Look for their hive in a tree or other sheltered place. Keep watching the bees to ensure they are traveling in the same direction you are. As you follow the bees, inspect each tree that you pass, looking for holes or cavities that could hold a hive. Some hives can be found in fallen logs or even on the ground, as well.
Where did you find BeEs in your home?
One important question to ask yourself whenever you encounter bees inside your home is where specifically in the house did you find them. If you find a few bees in your living room, some of their possible entry points are your chimney, an open window, or a door.
How do bees get into your home?
Bees can find their way into your home through small openings and crevices. Attics and crawl spaces are common areas where bees may build their nests. Inspect these spaces carefully, looking for any signs of bee presence. Look for small holes or gaps in the walls or ceilings, as these can serve as entry points for bees.
How do bees hive?
Just wanted to add a little two cents worth, having been successful on three occasions of capturing a wild hive. Bees have a distinctive method for setting direction and distance. They use the angle of the Sun at a particular time of day, primarily, but setting this often requires circling, if it is more than a quarter mile away.
Where do bees build a hive?
Bees often choose eaves and overhangs to build their nests. These areas provide shelter and protection from the elements, making them attractive to bees seeking a suitable location for their hive. Check the undersides of your roof overhangs, as well as any external structures such as sheds or porches.
Where do bees live?
Mike Russo (Massachusetts fisherman who has fished cod for 18 years, on environmentalists)-Provided by Matthew Shepherd Bees are nearly ubiquitous; they occur essentially everywhere.