The sudden appearance of bees in a backyard can cause anxiety, especially for those with allergies or small children. While safety is the immediate concern, bees are important pollinators whose populations are declining. The goal of removal should focus on relocating the colony without destruction. This process begins with accurate identification and uses specific strategies for effective, humane management, ensuring safety while preserving these insects.
Identifying the Intruder
The first step in any removal strategy is correctly identifying the insect, as methods differ significantly between bees and other stinging insects like wasps or hornets. Honey bees and bumble bees are generally rounder and possess a stocky, fuzzy body covered in fine hairs that collect pollen. They typically display less aggressive behavior, stinging only when their hive or themselves are directly threatened. A honey bee can only sting once before dying.
Bumble bees are large and fuzzy, often nesting in small, existing cavities like old rodent burrows or under dense grass tussocks. In contrast, wasps and hornets have a smooth, slender body with a distinct, narrow “waist.” These insects are often more aggressive, can sting repeatedly, and frequently construct exposed paper nests under eaves, in trees, or sometimes in the ground. Correct identification is necessary because only honey bees are typically relocated by specialists, while pest control manages wasp or hornet nests differently.
Safe and Temporary Deterrence Methods
For stray bees foraging in the backyard, immediate non-lethal methods can discourage their presence in localized areas like patios. Bees are highly attracted to sweet scents, so promptly covering sugary drinks, fruit, and open food containers during outdoor gatherings is the most effective initial deterrent. Removing standing water sources, such as leaky faucets or pet bowls, can also eliminate a resource bees seek during hot weather.
Introducing strong, non-toxic scents can temporarily repel bees from a small area without harming them. Bees rely heavily on their sense of smell and dislike pungent natural odors like peppermint oil, cinnamon, or citronella. Diffusing essential oils or sprinkling ground cinnamon around an area can create a localized zone they avoid. These methods are only for temporary nuisance control and will not resolve the issue of an established hive or nest.
When to Call a Professional for Relocation
When a bee colony establishes a nest near or inside a structure, professional intervention is necessary for safe, permanent removal. A large cluster of bees, known as a swarm, resting on a tree branch is often docile and can sometimes be collected quickly by a local beekeeper, sometimes for a nominal fee or even free. If the bees have settled into a wall void, chimney, or attic, they are considered an established hive and require a more complex procedure known as a live cutout.
A hive inside a wall poses a significant risk because the honeycomb and honey left behind can melt, seep into drywall, attract other pests, or cause structural damage. The live removal process involves a specialist carefully cutting into the structure to access the entire colony, including the queen, and removing all the comb, honey, and bees using a specialized vacuum. This structural removal is labor-intensive and expensive, typically ranging from $800 to over $1,200 depending on the hive size and accessibility, and requires subsequent carpentry repair. Contact a beekeeper or live bee removal specialist for bees, as traditional pest control often uses chemical treatments that kill the colony but do not remove the damaging hive materials.
Preventing Future Nesting
After a successful removal, the focus must shift to modifying the environment to prevent the next swarm from moving in. Honey bees are attracted to small, dark, sheltered cavities and can enter openings as small as 3/16 of an inch. Homeowners should conduct a thorough inspection, sealing all cracks, gaps, and small holes in the exterior of the house. This includes sealing soffits, foundation vents, and utility entry points.
Use caulk to seal narrow gaps and install fine metal mesh screening over larger openings like vents to ensure a physical barrier is in place. Eliminating debris and clutter in the yard, such as old tires, overturned pots, or wood piles, removes potential secondary nesting sites for bumble bees and other cavity-nesting species. Finally, if a hive was removed from a structure, the area should be thoroughly cleaned to remove the residual scent of beeswax and pheromones, which can signal to scout bees that the location is ideal for a new colony.