Find the Bees Before They Find You!
There are many things that arrive with Spring. Flowers begin to bloom, trees begin to fill with leaves, and bees begin to build hives. In open spaces where there is no potential for harm, these bee hives are a good thing. Bees pollinate the trees, the flowers, and all the other vegetation that we need to survive.
Beehives in residential settings can be a harmful thing, however, and you may need a professional Las Vegas bee removal. Besides the obvious reasons of people being stung and potential allergic reactions, there is also the damage that bees can do the structural setting of your home. Hanging beehives can weigh as much as 60 pounds, causing structural damage to eaves and roof shingles. Bees that burrow into cracks in your home’s siding or foundation can destroy your home from the inside out.
Before you attempt to remove a beehive, there are certain things that you should know about bees and their hives.
Are Bees Dangerous?
In most cases, if left alone, a bee is not interested in anything except for the task it has been sent to do. Bees live in a worker society and they are programmed to perform certain tasks each day. These bees are only interested in completing these tasks.
However, bees are also programmed to defend their queen and protect their hive. If they feel that the hive or the queen is in danger, regardless of their species, they will swarm and attack in an effort to drive the threat away. Since most bees die once they have used their stinger, this is always a last resort. Everyone reacts differently when dealing with bee or wasp stings. Get medical treatment as soon as possible if you experience severe allergic reactions.
One exception to the rule is the Africanized Honey Bee (AHB) or Killer Bee. This species of bee is a hybrid between the African Honey Bee and the European Honey Bee. This species is very aggressive and is known to overtake other hives by killing the queen and establishing their own. South and Central American bee farmers often use these bees because they are very hardy. However, they are known to travel very long distances and have begun appearing in the American Southwest.
Killer bees are also very aggressive towards people and animals and have been known to swarm and kill. If there is even the slightest chance that the hive in your yard or on your home is a killer bee hive, you need to call a professional exterminator.
Common Areas To Find Beehives
Depending on the breed of bee, a bee will either create a hanging hive or burrow into something to create a hive.
Hanging hives are generally found around the eves of a home, a bottom tree branch, clothesline poles, or shed and carport areas. The place must be free of direct sunlight, windy conditions, and must offer some protection from the rain.
Burrowing bees will look for anywhere that is dark and damp. Think holes in your siding, house foundation, rotten tree stump, wood pile, or patch of undergrowth. Access only needs to be the size of a bee, so many holes that do not seem at risk really are. Bees also like to enter the dryer and other house vents.
How To Prevent Bees From Building On Your Property
The only way to prevent bees from building a hive on your property is to be very proactive about making it undesirable. Seal holes around your home, install vent covers, and remove unwanted or rotting vegetation.
Make sure to frequently spray down your leaves and other hanging areas. Carefully watch trees for any sign of hive building. At first sign, have a professional come and remove the hive before it becomes fully inhabited.