Bees
Bee Removal?
The honey bee belongs to the insect order Hymenoptera which also includes wasps and ants. Honey bees were introduced to the U.S. by European immigrants who knew of their importance to pollination and the production of honey. Feral honey bee colonies have become established and often become bothersome, even dangerous. When honey bees establish themselves in populated areas, people with allergies to bee stings are put at great risk.
During the months of March through September, clusters of bees can be found clinging to trees and shrubs. These bees will normally not sting unless disturbed. The presence of a large cluster of bees does not signify that a colony or hive has been established. Bees will often travel en masse to forage for nectar and nourishment of the colony. If a group of bees has been seen in the same area for four or more days, it becomes time to take action. Once the colony establishes itself inside a wall void or within an attic, removal of decaying bees and honey can generate a great expense. Unlike most ant problems which tend to be inside your home, bees are often found one the outside of your home.
What about those Killer bees?
Africanized "Killer" honey bees look identical to regular European honey bees. They carry the same amount of venom, produce honey and wax, pollinate flowers, protect their nests and sting in defense. The only real difference is found within their little bee psyches. They respond more quickly to a perceived attack, and in greater numbers. Though each bee can sting only once in their lives, huge numbers of bees will attack the same target. A person who passes within 50 feet of a nest is not in danger from the toxic venom of one killer bee, he is in danger of being stung by a hundred or more honey bees at once. And they will pursue for distances up to a quarter-mile.
What you can do to protect yourself from Africanized honey bees:
Remove possible nesting sites around your home. This includes empty boxes, unused trash cans, buckets, old tires, etc.
Seal openings greater than 1/8" in walls, around chimneys, and plumbing. Install screens over vents and rain spouts.
Stay away from all honey bee swarms. If it becomes necessary to run from a mobilized swarm, do so while protecting your face and eyes as much as possible. Take shelter inside a building or car - not under trees or within bushes.
If stung, scrape stinger from skin with a fingernail or credit card. If breathing becomes labored, seek medical attention.
BEE TIP: Even if all of the bees in a hive have been killed, foraging bees from neighboring colonies will be attracted to the abandoned hive and set up shop unless the physical hive itself is removed.
A TAC Exterminators offers a wide range of services for bee colony elimination, bee hive removal, and structural repair.
