People who are gardeners or farmers appreciate bees because the insects are industrious pollinators. However, problems ensue if bees happen to build their nest somewhere inside of or too close to a man-made structure.
The bumble bee, honey bee and carpenter bee all are commonly seen throughout the Langhorne area. Mainly beneficial, people often pay little attention when they occasionally encounter a bee. If bees are regularly found indoors or if they dart at people as they enter or leave a building, then they become difficult to ignore.
Anyone who receives a bee sting will remember it as a painful experience, but it is even worse for people who are allergic or those who are stung multiple times. Bees can be territorial, particularly when they are close to their nest, so the opportunity to be stung multiple times increases dramatically whenever a nest is placed close to a building.
To eliminate the danger, it is necessary to remove the bees' nest. This is a dangerous task that is best left in the hands of a well-trained professional. In both residential and commercial settings, the best way to ensure that a bees' nest is properly removed is to ask an exterminator to handle the job.
WHAT DO BEES LOOK LIKE?
With their yellow and black stripes, bumble bees are a familiar sight to most people. Their bodies are round and covered in dense hair, and although their demeanor is friendly, their one-inch size can make them seem intimidating to some people. Yellow and black is the most common coloration, but some subspecies may be orange or red. Females of the species have a stinger and a more slender abdomen while males have a rounder abdomen and no stinger. A pollen basket for gathering food is located on the hind legs.
Honey bee workers are non-reproductive females that are equipped with extra-long tongues for gathering nectar. The sides of the bee's head have compound eyes that are placed on the sides. Like bumble bees, they usually have yellow and black stripes, but they are far more slender and less hairy. The rear legs are equipped with a pollen basket.
People also may see the male drones from the honey bee colony. Stouter and longer than the workers, the drones exist only to mate with the queen, but they may be seen outside the nest, darting aggressively at anyone who draws near.
Occasionally, carpenter bees are mistaken for bumble bees because of their similar appearance, but their bodies usually are less hairy and may appear shiny. They sport the familiar black and yellow stripes and may grow to about one-half to one-and-a-half inches long.
WHERE DO BEES LIVE?
Most bee species are social and live in large colonies. This is the case with bumble bees and honey bees. Bumble bees prefer a nest that is at or beneath the surface of the ground. A pile of firewood, lumber or yard debris may serve as a ready-made nest, and the species also may use an abandoned animal burrow.
Honey bees look for nesting habitat beneath a rock or in a fallen tree. Forests, orchards and gardens are likely nesting places. The worker bees build the nest using wax that they secrete from their abdominal glands.
By contrast, carpenter bees tend to be solitary insects that prefer to nest in wood. They excavate tunnels, frequently in wood that is already damaged. Trees are the most frequent nesting site, but carpenter bees will use wooden building frames, door and window frames, outdoor furniture, siding or decks as well.
WHAT DO BEES EAT?
Pollen and nectar fulfill the main nutritional needs of most bee species. Nectar is gathered by honey bees and then convert it into honey, which is used to feed the colony's larvae. Additionally, royal jelly is excreted by workers to be fed to young that are designated to be queens in new honey bee colonies.
Bumble bees also make honey from a mixture of saliva and pollen. Honey is used to feed the queen and the colony's young.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY BEES
When bees establish a nest that is located outdoors and well away from structures, it is extremely unlikely that they will cause any property damage. However, a nest that is constructed within a building can become bulky and heavy. When hanging from the eaves or built in a wall void, this can cause structural damage. Moreover, the nest is abandoned at the end of the summer, leaving it to rot. Some structures develop serious mold and mildew issues when this process begins.
Carpenter bees actually seek wood that is already damaged when they want to build a nest. A building that has suffered an earlier pest infestation or a water leak is particularly susceptible, but carpenter bees also will burrow into any wood that is unpainted or otherwise unprotected. Accordingly, it is sensible to replace damaged wood and ensure that it is painted or stained.
ARE BEES AGGRESSIVE?
Most bees do not behave in a particularly aggressive manner until they are within the vicinity of their nest. Then, a previously docile-seeming insect can begin to dart and swoop in a combative manner. In the case of males, which do not have stingers, this behavior is merely for show. Females do have stingers, but these can only be used once. Unfortunately, if a stinging attack occurs close to the nest, then many colony members may join the barrage, resulting in serious physical harm.
DO BEES CARRY DISEASE?
Bee stings usually do not make people sick. Symptoms such as redness, pain and localized swelling are the most common reactions. Certain people are allergic to such stings, and they may have a harsher reaction that involves extreme swelling, difficulty breathing and potentially anaphylaxis. This reaction can be lethal if proper medical treatment is not provided.
HOW TO DETECT BEES
Signs of a bee problem include:
• Frequent incidents of "dive bombing" • Reports of numerous stinging incidents • Walls or ceilings marred by unexplained dark patches • Loud buzzing sounds outdoors or somewhere in the building • Hives located on or close to structures
HOW TO PREVENT BEES
To help prevent bee issues the following steps should be taken:
• Remove old bees' nests • Get rid of clutter outdoors • Ensure that all wood is in good repair and painted or stained • Keep blooming trees and plants well away from structures • Cover up exterior cracks and holes in buildings
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.
