The proximity of the nest and a large bee population so close to people means that stings are more likely to happen. Ordinarily, common species such as the bumblebee, honey bee and carpenter bee are slow to attack, but they can behave in an aggressively territorial manner in the vicinity of their nests.
With bees constantly buzzing around the property, many people opt for professional bee removal and control. Most responsible pest management professionals will seek to relocate bumblebees and honey bees as they are beneficial pollinators. However, they are more likely to recommend destroying carpenter bees because these insects are indifferent pollinators and can cause considerable property damage.
People who believe that bees have established a nest on their property are encouraged to contact an exterminator at the earliest opportunity. This makes it possible to address the problem before many stings can occur.
WHAT DO BEES LOOK LIKE?
Big, round and fuzzy, bumblebees have a friendly appearance and usually display a demeanor to match. Still, at about one-inch long, they can look intimidating to some people. Most bumblebees have yellow and black stripes, though red and orange species also are fairly common. Males may be distinguished from females by their lack of stinger and round abdomen. On the rear legs, bumblebees have a pollen basket for gathering food.
The most numerous members of honey bee colonies are the workers. Usually the smallest colony members, the workers are all non-reproductive females that have long tongues that are suitable for collecting nectar. Compound eyes are found on the sides of the bee's head, and they have slender bodies that are covered in black and yellow stripes. Like the bumblebee, they have pollen baskets on their rear legs.
Also in the honey bee colony are the male drones. Their sole purpose is to mate with the queen, and they may be distinguished from workers by their stouter, longer bodies. The queen is the largest member of the colony, but as she does not leave the nest, she is rarely seen.
Carpenter bees look similar to bumblebees, but they may be identified by their shiny bodies that have only sparse hairs. Another distinguishing characteristic is that they tend to be mostly black with fewer yellow markings. The various carpenter bee species range in size between one-half inch to one-and-a-half inches.
WHAT DO BEES EAT?
Sugary nectar is sought after by most bees as it provides the energy that is necessary to keep colony members active. The bee's nutritional needs also are met through pollen, an important protein source.
Honey bees convert some of the nectar that they gather into honey, which serves as food for the larvae in the nest. Worker bees also secrete a substance called royal jelly that is fed to young that are identified as future queens.
Similarly, bumblebees chew pollen and saliva to produce honey. This is then fed to the colony's larvae and queen.
WHERE DO BEES LIVE?
Honey bees and bumblebees both are social insects that live in colonies that may have hundreds of members. However, their choice of habitat can be quite different.
Honey bees may be found nesting in gardens, meadows, orchards and forests. Sometimes, a fallen log or a large rock provides the perfect nesting site, while other colonies may be established inside a hollow tree. Workers secrete wax from their abdominal glands to build the nest.
Bumblebees may construct a nest on the ground's surface, but they are far more likely to burrow beneath it. If they find a pile of yard debris or wood, they may build a nest there. Abandoned animal burrows also provide a ready nesting site.
Carpenter bees are quite different in that they are a solitary species that prefers to tunnel into wood for nesting. Trees frequently host carpenter bee infestations, but it is not unusual to find these pests nesting in a fence, deck, siding, outdoor furniture or a woodpile. Longtime infestations can result in widespread damage.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY BEES
Most bee species are unlikely to cause structural harm. Nonetheless, nests are sometimes constructed either hanging from or within a man-made structure. A mature nest may have hundreds of colony members, making it large and extremely heavy. A nest that is suspended from the eaves accordingly can cause damage as can a nest that is concealed within a wall void. At the end of the season, the nest will be abandoned and left to rot. The structure in which the nest is placed is then in danger of developing mold and mildew problems.
Carpenter bees cause a great deal more damage than other bee species as they tunnel into damaged or vulnerable wood. In the early stages of an infestation, the damage is minimal, but the structural integrity of some homes has been compromised by a large, long-standing infestation.
ARE BEES AGGRESSIVE?
Bees are capable of appearing more aggressive than they are. This is especially true with the male drones, which may dart around trying to intimidate people who come too close to the nest. As males do not have stingers, this behavior is not actually dangerous.
Still, females do have stingers. They can sting only once, and they die within a short time. Typically, they do not sting unless provoked by swatting or handling.
DO BEES CARRY DISEASE?
Painful stings may be accompanied by some localized swelling and redness, but these are little more than an inconvenience. Allergic people are susceptible to large local reactions and anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening if it is not promptly treated.
HOW TO DETECT BEES
Signs of a potential bee problem include:
• Bees congregate inside or close to homes • Dark patches are found on ceilings or walls • Round holes found in damaged wood • Loud buzzing • Hives found on buildings
HOW TO PREVENT BEES
To help avoid bee control issues, apply the following precautions:
• Fix holes and cracks in buildings • Place blooming plants away from houses • Treat, paint or stain outside wood • Eliminate outdoor clutter • Get rid of old nests
HOW TO TREAT FOR BEES
Newtown Termite & Pest Control understands how vital bumble bees and honey bees are to the local ecosystem. As such, we recommend contacting a local bee keeper for the safe removal of bumble bees and honey bees from area homes and businesses.
At the same time, we also utilize a multi-faceted approach for treating problematic species. Our methodology involves making use of the most appropriate detection, prevention, and treatment methods available. By combining these measures, we ensure that your home or business remains free of wasps, hornets, and carpenter bees.
