Bee Pest Control

Bees come from the same family as wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination. There are more than 20,000 recorded bee species. The most common types of bees that home and business owners encounter are honey bees, carpenter bees, and bumble bees. Bees make a distinct buzzing sound when they fly. The larger the bee, the louder the volume of the buzzing. All bees have a head, thorax, abdomen, and four wings. Beyond that, however, their appearances will vary between species. Honey bees, for instance, are approximately ¾ of an inch long with hair and brownish-black and yellow-orange bands. Bumble bees, while also hairy, are larger and have darker bodies with yellow markings. Bees can pose a serious threat to human beings because of their ability to sting, as well as their tendency to transport unhealthy bacteria and debris which can cause severe allergies and reactions.

Often a home or business owner may notice there are dead bees next to the windowsill or lying lifeless on the floor. These signs could indicate a hive on the premises. Bees often nest in areas that are close to people. They may build nests under the eaves or ledges of buildings, in trees, or underground. Bees don’t stray far from the nest but they do tend to fly towards streams of light. Once indoors, they will typically be found buzzing against the windows or light sources in an attempt to find and return to the outdoors.

A common misconception is that bees enter the buildings through a window or door that has been left open. Although that may be the case for one single bee, it is not how large numbers enter. When you notice multiple bees indoors, it is most likely because the beehive is attached somewhere inside or around the building, like on a wall or in an attic, chimney, or crawl space. Bees tend to hover near garbage cans because they are attracted to the food scraps.

Bees’ activity throughout the year depends on the seasons of their favorite flowers as well as temperature. They hibernate during the winter but may be seen on warm days. Certain species prefer certain plants and are therefore more active while those plants are around. Some species, however, have no preference. Bees are generally active from the time warm weather arrives in spring until cold weather arrives in the fall.

Bees are attracted to sweet foods and drinks like soda, juice, and ice cream. A good way to minimize the appearance of bees is to eliminate any sources of attraction. This means taking precautions such as emptying the trash often, rinsing food containers before putting them in the trash, cleaning garbage bins regularly, and not having open food containers while outside. It can be hazardous to let a bee hive flourish near your home or business. EXCEL Termite and Pest Control offer professional bee control in an environmentally sound way.