How to get rid of bees (without harming them)

Bees and spring are in the air! Now that spring has arrived and flowers are blooming, it is time to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, bees can present a problem, especially if you are allergic. So how do you get rid of bees without harming them?

Getting rid of bees without harming them.

Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and NYS Integrated Pest Management share that “Bees and wasps are a part of life. Some can cause trouble, but most are harmless and beneficial, whether as pollinators or as predators of caterpillars and other potentially damaging insects.”

When wondering how to get rid of bees’ nests, you should consider the type of bee, the location of the nest or hive, and the possibility of saving the hive.

• Natural deterrents, including plants and spices that bees find offensive, can be used. These include cucumber, basil, marigolds, geranium, eucalyptus, wormwood, mint, pennyroyal, and pitcher plant. Planting these in your garden can discourage bees from visiting. Sprinkling cinnamon or garlic powder around the yard and exterior of their home can also act as a quick and easy deterrent.
• Hive removal is an effective way to remove bees from your home and outdoor living area. Professional beekeepers and even local bee enthusiasts are skilled at working with bees. They can work with you and your pest control professional to relocate the hive without our destroying the bees.

How to get rid of ground bees

Watering your lawn regularly can help get rid of bees in the ground. Ground bees create nests in the ground, especially on dry patches of land. These nests often look like holes in lawns. If you’re wondering how to kill ground bees or how to keep bees away, you will want to be sure to water their lawns regularly: These bees prefer dry soil that’s easy to burrow into. Simply keeping lawns well-hydrated can make it difficult for ground bees to burrow and build an underground nest. (Bob Vila)

Please do not attempt to approach a ground beehive, bury the hive, or spray into the hole. Ground bees are highly aggressive and should only be treated by a professional pest control service.

Did you know that not all bees and wasps sting? Do you know the difference?

• Many bees sport a fuzzy coat of branched hair (called pile) that readily gathers pollen grains. However, wasps tend to have few or no pollen-collecting hairs, so their bodies appear smooth.
• Solitary of Social? This is not a differentiator between bees and wasps. Each group has solitary (one insect and her offspring per nest) and social (many insects in one colony) species.
• Bees are pollinators that feed on nectar and pollen from flowering plants. Wasps, on the other hand, are predators of other arthropods. Some wasps scavenge for their meals, and others are parasitic.

How to get rid of bees inside your house

According to How to Get Rid of Bees,

Setting up a beehive inside or near your house can be dangerous because it ensures a constant presence of many flying insects inside and around your house. One single bee colony usually contains around 8,000 to 60,000 bees, and sometimes even more. People who are allergic to bees hence have to remain extra careful as a single bee sting can lead to severe health problems such as vomiting, the closing of the throat, breathlessness, unconsciousness, choking, and even anaphylactic shock or cardiac arrest. In addition, a bee sting releases a compound called apitoxin in the bloodstream, which contains high amounts of intense toxins, and if an average person is stung ten times at once by a bee, it might also result in an allergic reaction which can even result in death.

Bees are organized pests, so getting rid of them by traditional methods does not usually work. The prolonged presence of a beehive inside your home can also lead to permanent damage on the walls, roof, or even chimneys which can only be solved through a complete renovation. Besides this, the strong odor of the hive also tends to attract other rodents and dangerous insects.

Keeping bees away from and out of your house

The best thing to do is to be vigilant and make your home uninviting for bees to take up residence.  Simple things can make a big difference:

• Keep your garage door closed. This will help keep out bees, mice, squirrels, and other pests and wildlife.
• Check your attic and roof soffits for signs of a hive or nest.
• Carpenter bees love wood, including decks and sheds. You will see their tell-tale round holes as they bore into the wood.
• While there is no such thing as bee spray, vinegar spray does the job! If you intend to spray the hive or nest, spray it when the bees are asleep; yes, they do sleep.
• Hire a professional pest control service that will remove the bees (making sure they are not hornets or wasps), relocate them whenever possible, and keep you, your family, and your pets safe from harm.

I need help getting rid of bees!

Getting rid of bees is more than one size fits all approach. Contact us for professional bee removal. Our technicians are licensed by the DEC and certified by New York State. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about us and our services.

Please note: Please seek immediate medical attention if you have been stung by a bee, wasp, or yellowjacket and are unsure of your reaction. Please do not delay.

Resources: Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Bob Vila, How to Get Rid of Bees