Bee Removal Questions

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Bee Removal Question & Answer

How to Get Rid of Bees (Topics by location of bees) Bee ID Chart
Questions - Ask the Bee Man


Does anyone want my bees, isn't there a bee shortage?

Good question. Way back in the day beekeepers used to line up to collect your bees, however in the 1980's & 90's, two harsh changes caused many beekeepers to abandon beekeeping creating a greater scarcity of beekeepers.

In the 80's it was believed that diseases began plaguing and killing the common US honeybee. Several years later, reports from the News began spreading of killer bees, now more commonly called hybrid honeybees bees migrating from Central America. See the honey bee removal AHB map to learn more.

For these two reasons, as well as more time restraints of a busier world, it may be more difficult to find a beekeeper that will remove bees for free the link provided discusses further options regarding free bee removal. Bees in the structure of home or building are usually a challenge to remove, while recurring bee problems are not uncommon.

Questions - Ask the Bee Man

I came home and found bees near my window?

Often a phone call will come in with a home owner saying, "I have bees inside my house up aginst the window" or "I came home and found dead bees near my window?"

In both cases, the bees in question are either scouting the home, determining if the structure is suitable to move the swarm in and set up shop. Or else the bees have already moved in. If you think the bees are new and they are honeybees it's important to have the bees removed as soon as possible this way you avoid honeycomb being built into the structure. If you think the bees may be new visit how to prevent a bee problem.

With honeybees, many people leave it alone hoping the bees will go away, or they try spraying them, then when the bees disappear in the evening and the home owner doesn't see them before going to work in the morning. They may think the bees are gone. It's likely the bees simply went to sleep for the night and haven't started working yet in the morning. Learn more, about bees against the window or in the house, and how they're getting in.

Questions - Ask the Bee Man

I have a lot of flowers in my yard, is this causing a bee hive or nest to move near the property?

Bees typically fly up to two miles away, sometimes further, to gather nectar and pollen. The amount of shrubbery should has nothing to do with a hive moving onto the property.

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Questions - Ask the Bee Man

Why do I keep getting bees?

You probably have bad luck :). Actually, it is likely that the house or structure has a history of bee problems from the bees being extracting or killed and leaving the honeycomb in the wall, roof, chimney or other part of the structure. Leaving the hive honeycombs within the structure is the most common cause of recurring bee problems.

Typically, a house will get bees about every 30 to 40 years, but if honeycomb from a hive is left in the walls, roof, or other structural void bees come back very frequently. One home owner that was referred to me began getting several beehives each year. At that point, the best plan of action was to bee proof+ several areas of the house, not the normal solution.

Removing the beehive and honeycomb is an important to avoid recurring bee problems as well, not attract rodents, ants and other critters. Bees like building nests on the sides of the house were the sun rises. Visit how to get rid of bees for detailed help on a specific area of where the bees are including owl box, chimney, roof / wall basement and more.

Questions - Ask the Bee Man

Why did the bees choose my home?

Honeybees are somewhat random in their selection of where to start a hive, though it should help to know, hives left in walls will attract bees back to the area frequently. Eves, wall voids, and chimneys are common structural nesting locations that bees will exploit for a full list of nesting location visit the how to / self help bee removal page. Bees only need one small hole or gap to get in, though the cavity would need to be big enough to build a hive.

Hornets, wasps, yellowjackets and bumblebees are unlike honeybees in that they are all overwintering critters. For the survival of their species, the queens must leave the nest and find a safe place to overwinter. In spring time these critters commonly return to the same or a nearby area. -- see wasp identification chart.

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Questions - Ask the Bee Man

I found honeybees entering a hole in my wall. What if I seal it up really well?

It may work, and is a good idea if the hive has not moved in already. If a hive that already moved in gets sealed in the wall, the bees will dig to find a way out. Bee activity may dissipates for a few days, but nearly always reappears as the bees dig through the wall or void and resume their activity. Honeybees do not abandon the hive, though the do split the hive when the hive gets too large; half the hive migrate to a new location.

Trapped bees can survive for months before they deplete their honey reserves. If it were possible, to seal the bees in, normally the honey will begin to run down the structure, the smell can to attract rodents, bugs, and bees in the future. To solve the problem bee hive removal services may be required, this means opening the area and removing the honey and the bees and the beeswax, as well as cleaning it.See bees in the wall attic, roof, or eave. Another option is through trap out method, removing the bees and then extracting the honey.

Questions - Ask the Bee Man

How can I tell if these bees are the killer bees?

The "killer bees" from old media was a largely over hyped, however bees should be respected as a part of nature, in fact all bees should be respected especially when they have a home nearby. Africanized bees look the same as European honeybees.

In most cases, messing with the bees in hopes of making them go away will cause more problems than you started with. Generally, the bees attached to your house or on your property are docile unless they feel threatened. Visit africanized honey bees to learn more on the migration of hybrid honeybees in the US.

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Questions - Ask the Bee Man

The beehive on my property seem very calm and don't bother anyone.

Good question. A new swarm of bees are non aggressive and typically do not sting, that is because they have no hive or young to protect. As well, a new swarm on tree or a bush are normally resting, and continue to their destination within a few days.

With beehives that are established, people may say, "the bees have always been friendly, but lately they've become very aggressive." The common reason for this is that the hive has become more established and now the bees are more protective. Bees that have a friendly nature (when you are close to the hive), does not mean they will always behave friendly. Though typically it can take little effort to make a lot of bees angry.

The longer a beehive is left on their own, the more protective they can become of their home. Honeybees in winter season may behave more aggressively. During this time of the year most of the flowers and nectar sources are gone and bees want to protect their means of survival tell spring. Hot day time weather may also slightly have affect.

Questions - Ask the Bee Man
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What can I do to avoid recurring bee problems?

If you have recurring honeybee problems each year, it is likely the bees are being attracted back by the smell from a past hive that was not removed effectively or not removed at all. This could be in a chimney were a fire was lit and the honey has melted into the brick, or a bee hive that was killed on the side of the wall or roof,. -- More detailed info on how to keep bees away.

Questions - Ask the Bee Man

What will happen if a killer bee stings me?

A killer is actually an hybrid bee; a cross between the African and European honeybee. This bee has the same amount of bee toxin that any other honeybee has. European and africanized honeybees are equally painful and produce the same results; when stinging the ridged bees stinger tends to get caught in the skin dislodging and causing the bee to die shortly thereafter.

When stung by a bee it is best to remove the stinger asap. If not removed and the small muscle still attached to the stinger may plus for up to a minute increasing the amount of swelling.

Hybrid bees / africanized bees are said to attack in greater numbers when they feel threatened or if their hive is disturbed. And that the bees stay angry for longer.

Wasps, hornets, carpenter bees and bumblebees (wasp id chart) don't lose their stinger and can sting multiple times. Stings can be painful perhaps causing redness with slight swelling that may last one to three days. More regarding getting stung by bee.

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Questions - Ask the Bee Man

A honeybee stung my child, what should I do?

If stung by a honeybee, the bees stinger typically gets stuck in the skin as the bee pulls away, dislodging it from the bee. The small muscle on the end of the dislodged stinger will continue to pump through the hollow needle-like stinger for perhaps one minute and the bee die. The sooner the stinger is removed, the less swelling will occur.

Remove the stinger as soon as possible by scraping or pulling it out. When children are stung, it hurts and they normally get scared. It can help to wash the area and apply something to absorb out moisture and if possible a bit the toxin. Some people apply a bit of baking soda mixed with a touch or water or dirt mixed with water. Perhaps the most important thing is that the child has confidence that he or she will be okay. A good remedy is to stay calm, be reassuring, and perhaps include a dose of TLC.

Studies have found that most people that think they are allergic are actually not. eg. 15% to 20% of people who when asked, will say they're allergic to stings, yet medical evaluations find it's actually only about 1 or 2%. If you feel your child is allergic, consider seeking immediate medical advice or attention.

Questions - Ask the Bee Man

Choosing a bee company

Because it's not common to get bees, many people may go there entire life without having to deal with a beehive. The question of what is the right solution when you get bees can be a challenge and a learning experience. Some people that are more brave trydo it yourself bee removal. It's always nice if you can have someone you know refer you to a bee company, though that is not to common, you're in right place here by doing some research.

Some bee companies use scare tactics or try to intimidate or manipulate you into using their service. These companies may overcharge you and provide poor service. Calling a few companies, leaving messages, or request a callback can also help. Here is some cost/pricing info if the bees are in the structure and cost is a concern. Scare tactics are becoming less common as killer bee propaganda diminishes. -- See history of honeybee removal within the use.

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