Bees
mediumBehavior & Habits
Bees, particularly honey bees, are highly social insects that live in large, organized colonies. They are known primarily as essential pollinators. They are generally non-aggressive and will only sting when they feel their hive is directly threatened or when they are accidentally stepped on or squashed. Unlike wasps, honey bees have barbed stingers and can only sting once, dying afterward.Swarming is a natural reproductive process where a portion of the colony leaves to establish a new hive; this behavior looks alarming but the bees are typically docile during a swarm.
Habitat & Signs
Bees seek secure, sheltered cavities to build their hives and store honey and pollen. Their preferred habitats include:
- Hollow Structures: Tree hollows, rock cavities, and undisturbed wall voids, chimney flues, or crawl spaces within buildings.
- Small Cavities: Some species, like solitary or carpenter bees, bore into or utilize small tunnels in wood (e.g., untreated deck wood, fascia boards) or in the ground.
- A new swarm may temporarily cluster on a tree branch or post before finding a permanent, protected location. Bees are drawn to properties with abundant flowering plants that serve as a source of nectar and pollen.
Prevention & Control
- Seal Entry Points: Prevent bees from entering structural voids by sealing gaps and crevices in walls, eaves, window frames, and foundations. Use screens on vents and chimney caps.
- Maintain Exterior Wood: Treat and paint all exterior raw wood, like fascia boards and trim, to discourage wood-boring species like Carpenter Bees. Fill existing bore holes with wood putty.
- Avoid Disturbing Nests: If a bee hive is discovered, do not attempt to spray, seal, or remove it yourself, as this can provoke a dangerous defensive attack and cause honey/wax damage inside walls.
- Focus on Relocation: Always prioritize live bee removal and relocation performed by a professional beekeeper or pest control company specializing in bee relocation, especially for protected species like honey bees.
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