It may seem like something from a science fiction movie, but bee invasions in homes, garages, and other structures occur frequently, in both rural and urban areas. A prime example occurred in July of 2017 when a Brooklyn bedroom was found to have been invaded by some 35,000 bees. Even more frightening than a bedroom full of bees is the fact that experts believe the hive may have been active in that location for years before it was discovered.
For most, the presence of bees in the home may only result in annoyance or a few painful stings. But for those who suffer from severe bee allergies, just one sting could lead to a serious health emergency, or even death. If you are concerned about the possibility of a bee invasion in your own home or neighborhood, the following information can be helpful in recognizing and dealing with this type of pest control problem.
Signs of a bee infestation problem
In rural areas, bees typically choose hollow trees to establish new hives, but bees are opportunistic, and their scouts may explore buildings for the purpose of establishing a new colony in more populated areas. Initially, people may not notice this type of exploration. Once the colony moves in, however, bees may become more aggressive as they seek to defend their new home.
Seeing a sudden uptick in the number of bees on your property generally means they are either attracted to a food source, such as flowering plants, ripening fruit, or open trash bins, or they are nesting in the immediate vicinity. Other signs of infestation can include observing bees entering or exiting in cracks or seams of the structure, finding bees inside the home, or even hearing noises or finding drips of honey seeping through walls, in cases where the infestation is large.
Removing bee infestations
Removing an infestation of bees from your home should begin by trying to find someone in the area who can remove the bees safely. Colony collapse disorder has decimated bee populations all across the nation, so working to remove them alive should always be the first priority, if possible. Local beekeeping groups can often provide assistance with the removing and relocating populations of bees from homes and structures through the use of special vacuums or bee traps.
Using repellents to rid your home of scouting bees
Homeowners who find a few bees scouting their home or garage may be able to discourage their interest through the use of natural repellents. Bees do not like strong smells, such as garlic powder or citronella, so spreading garlic powder or lighting a citronella candle in areas where bee activity is spotted can encourage them to leave voluntarily.
Once bees have vacated the property, it will be necessary to use caulking, spray insulation, or another type of sealant to close off any access points where the bees were known to enter the home. It can also be helpful to use expanding foam insulation to seal wall cavities and help prevent future bee infestation issues.
When professional pest control is best
When efforts to repel or trap and move the bees fail, the next option should always be to contact a professional pest control expert. This is especially important in cases where a family member has bee allergies or when the hive is causing damage to the home or property.
Pest control experts who offer bee control services can often work with beekeeping groups to remove and relocate the offending bees, before treating the area to prevent future infestations. In addition, they can inspect the home and other structures and help homeowners determine if any other infestations are developing.
Share14 May 2018
After marrying my sweet husband ten years ago, I moved into a fixer-upper. I immediately started making a list of remodeling projects I wold need to complete before the house would be comfortable to live in. For instance, I had to rip out the old linoleum flooring in the kitchen, mud room, and bathrooms. I also had to buy a complete set of new furniture. Only a few days after moving into this house, I also discovered my need to contact a reputable pest control specialist. The house contained huge, disgusting roaches. After a local pest control technician visiting my house, my home was free of potentially health damaging roaches. On this blog, you will discover the latest trends in the pest control industry for successfully removing roaches from a home.
