In general, bees are not considered pests in Warminster. This is because most of these helpful insects such as bumble bees and honey bee are industrious pollinators that tend to leave people alone.
Another common local bee species is the carpenter bee. Although this insect does engage in some pollinating activity, it also is recognized for the damage that it does to man-made structures. Accordingly, this bee species is not afforded the same consideration that other species receive. While honey bees or bumble bees may be re-located, carpenter bees tend to be destroyed.
Bees are an essential component of the environments in which they are found. Their pollination behavior is indispensable in all landscapes, gardens and agricultural settings. Nonetheless, their presence can become problematic when their nests are placed in spots where people need to be. The result is frequent confrontations and stings.
When the number of bees in a particular area grows large, people may become uncomfortable with spending any time outdoors. Handling the issue is as easy as contacting a licensed pest control company. With their training and experience, they can diagnose the problem and propose a sensible and efficient treatment for remedying it.
WHAT DO BEES LOOK LIKE?
Bumble bees have round, heavy-looking bodies that are covered in hair. Their black and yellow stripes are easily recognized by most people, but their one-inch length may make them seem threatening. Identification of the species is made more complicated by the presence of red, orange or other colorations. All bumble bees have a pollen basket on the rear legs, and the sexes may be differentiated by the female's thinner profile and her stinger.
The most commonly seen honey bees are the workers. These are non-reproductive females that have yellow and black stripes. Members of this species are more slender than bumble bees and are virtually free of hair. Workers have long tongues for gathering nectar as well as a pollen basket on the hind legs.
It also is possible to see male honey bee drones out and about. They are longer and stouter than the female workers. Their only job is mating with the queen, but they may buzz around the exterior of the nest, darting aggressively at anyone who draws near.
Carpenter bees and bumble bees do share some characteristics that can make the species difficult to distinguish. However, carpenter bees tend to be shiny as they have very little hair on their bodies. Measuring anywhere from one-half to one-and-a-half inches, carpenter bees have black and yellow stripes on their bodies.
WHAT DO BEES EAT?
Most bees eat nectar and pollen. Nectar is sugary, providing essential energy, while pollen is a good source of protein. Honey is made in bumblebee colonies by mixing pollen with saliva and then chewing. Bumblebees feed honey to the queen and the growing young of the colony.
Honey bees also eat nectar and pollen, and this species converts nectar into honey that is fed to larvae. If certain young have been designated as future queens, then they are fed royal jelly, which is secreted by worker bees. Royal jelly consists of pollen and chemicals that worker bees secrete from glands.
WHERE DO BEES LIVE?
Bees tend to be social insects that live in sizable colonies consisting of thousands of members. Both honey bees and bumble bees are examples of these social insects.
Honey bees may nest at ground level beneath the shelter of a fallen tree or a large rock. Wax that is secreted from the abdominal glands of the colony's workers is used to build the nest. Such nests may be located in gardens, landscaping, orchards and forests. Honey bees will occasionally build a nest within a wall void or other opening in a man-made structure.
Bumble bees similarly tend to build nests that are close to ground level. They may be found nesting in a wild animal's abandoned burrow, but a woodpile or yard debris pile can be turned into a ready-made nest. Like honey bees, bumble bees are known to sometimes build nests inside or adjacent to buildings.
Unlike the social bee species, the carpenter bee is solitary. Nests are constructed in wood, preferably wood that is already damaged to make excavation easier. Accordingly, carpenter bees may nest in trees either living or dead, fences, decks, outdoor furniture, exterior doors, window frames or the siding of buildings.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY BEES
Bees that nest in natural areas or at least well away from residences and commercial buildings in Warminster are unlikely to cause damage. When nests are constructed on or within a man-made structure, these bulky, heavy additions can cause damage. Nests are abandoned with the end of summer, which means that rotting will soon begin. This can contribute to serious mold and mildew problems.
Carpenter bees are more likely to cause damage. Any wood that is unfinished or was damaged by water or an earlier pest infestation is particularly prone to being used as a nest.
ARE BEES AGGRESSIVE?
Although generally less aggressive than wasps, bees can exhibit threatening behavior when they are close to their nest. Both males and females may fly aggressively in these areas, but only females are equipped to sting. Still, since people usually cannot distinguish between the genders, it is best to act with caution and avoid places where known bees' nests are located.
DO BEES CARRY DISEASE?
Bee species do not carry illnesses that they transmit to people. Even their stings tend to be painful, red and slightly swollen but not a cause for serious concern. Of course, anyone who is allergic to stings may find that their life is in danger from an encounter with a single bee. Allergic reactions can include all-over swelling, problems with breathing and anaphylaxis.
HOW TO DETECT BEES
Signs of a bee issue include:
• Hives found at ground level or somewhere on or inside a structure • Buzzing sounds are heard indoors and outside • Dark patches are seen on ceilings or walls • Many people report being stung • People being flown at in an aggressive manner by bees
HOW TO PREVENT BEES
To help protect against a bee problem the following steps should be taken:
• Ensuring that structures are pest proof by sealing up gaps and cracks • Placing any blooming plant life away from buildings • Painting or staining wood to make it less susceptible to damage • Getting rid of old bee nests so that they cannot be re-used • Eliminating outdoor clutter to minimize nesting opportunities
HOW TO TREAT FOR BEES
Newtown Termite & Pest Control understands how vital bumblebees and honeybees are to the local ecosystem. As such, we recommend contacting a local bee keeper for the safe removal of bumblebees and honeybees 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.
