What's All the Buzz About Bees?

Bees, you can't live with em' and you definitely can't live without em'! Bees are responsible for pollinating trees and plants that produce fruits, nuts and vegetables absolutely essential to the nation's food industry. (Karimi, 2016) In fact, bees contribute to billions of dollars toward U.S. agriculture each year making them a highly valued asset to our economy and (let's be honest) our kitchens and pantries.

As Black Knight has seen a significant rise in bee related phone calls, we wanted to touch upon the importance of bees and why they are so fascinating and essential. We know that having a raging beehive right outside your front door is neither comforting nor welcoming, so we wanted to put your mind at ease. Here are a couple of things to consider when you encounter a beehive on your property and your weighing your options between relocating or exterminating the bees.

Exterminating an entire hive is not always the best option although sometimes necessary given the location of the hive. If the hive is located in a chimney, for example, or even an attic, a professional beekeeper is really limited to preserving the hive or even having appropriate access to the bees. In other cases, if a beehive is located on a fascia board or neighboring tree outside your home, the chances of relocating the bees successfully is very likely. Something to also remember is to never try to exterminate or relocate a beehive yourself. This is very dangerous and just an all-round bad idea. Simply put - just don't do it. 

Surprisingly, the cost of relocating bees is sometimes equal to if not less than if you were to exterminate them. So if you are unsure of which option is more budget friendly, our suggestion is to call around and ask. You may find that most professionals will need to come out to your home first and inspect the area where the hive is located before they can come out and do what they need to do. This is normal, because giving a bid over the phone can range in price, drastically.  

Overall, while we are a pest control company, bees hold a special place in our hearts given the weight of impact that they have on our environment. If you have an active beehive on your property, give us a call and we can help put you in contact with a local beekeeper that we have partnered with. If your interested in learning more information, feel free to check out the clip below which covers Colony Collapse Disorder which is plaguing the bee population, globally. 

References

Karimi, F. (2016, October 1). Bees place on endangered species list -- a first in the US. CNN News. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/01/us/hawaii-bee-species-endangered/

Spivak, M. (2013). Why bees are disappearing. TED Talks. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/marla_spivak_why_bees_are_disappearing?utm_source=tedcomshare&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tedspread 

How To Avoid Giving A Shelter To Bees In Your Own Home

bees-in-homes

Many people every year fall victim to bee or wasp stings. Pest control offices report that a good number encounter them in the forests but most of the stings actually occur near residential areas. Bees, especially the African bees, are not very choosy as to where they make their homes and your own home can be as well as a suitable location. To avoid such an occurrence, make sure that you observe the following: Leave no spaces

Bees make homes in areas that are dry, safe, and quiet. The top corner on the outside of your home fits the description hence why most bees will make their nests near the roof of your home. Once you spot any crack near the ceiling or even in the wall make sure you fill it up at once. Get some steel wool or caulk and fill these spaces completely.

Inspect your property

Just because you have not seen a bee or heard a buzz around you, does not mean there are no bees on your property. Ensure you inspect your home often especially if you have kids or aged persons living with you. Check the high areas of the house for any signs of a bee nest. Better safe than sorry and you would rather remove a small nest than a full colony. The earlier you get rid of any bee inhabitancy, the better it is for you.

In order to perform a proper inspection you need to know the areas bees are likely to inhabit. Check these places:

• Pile of wood behind the house

• The wheel barrow behind the house or in the shed

• The shed walls or the floor beneath

• Roof vents all over the house

• The eaves and the soffits

• The gutters especially if it has not rained in a while

• Empty flower pots and containers

• Cinder blocks

• Bird houses in trees

• The Barbecue grill especially one kept outside

• Chimney holes

• Air conditioner systems

Remove any early nests

When you spot the bees, find a way to remove the bees at once, no matter how small the nest is. Call a professional to get rid of the nest completely and safely.

You must never close the entrance of the nest. The bees may be stuck in there but it will take them a long time before they die. When they do, they will decay and cause a stink on top of the dripping wax and honey, which in turn will invite other pests.

You should not only smoke them out, because the bees may leave but with an empty nest around more bees will come and inhabit it.

Ensure you always do these for the best results!

Tackle the bees with protective gear on you. Never use a stick without covering your body or disturb the nest without a concrete plan. Do not think you will outrun the bees or hide from them. If you encounter the African bees, the encounter can be fatal.

The best solution is getting professional pest removal services to remove the bees completely and inspect your home. The best thing with professionals is that they will do a thorough job, which will not harm you or the bees in the process.