Finding unexpected insect activity in your landscaping can be unsettling, especially when the insects are buzzing around a high-traffic area like a bush near your home. The instinct to quickly remove them is understandable, but approaching the situation responsibly is important for both your safety and the health of the local ecosystem. Bees are necessary pollinators for food crops and flowers, meaning their preservation is an important consideration. Meanwhile, other stinging insects, such as wasps and hornets, pose different risks and require a different removal strategy. Understanding exactly which insect is in your bush is the first step toward a safe and non-lethal resolution.
Identifying the Insect in Your Bushes
The first step in any removal process must be an accurate identification of the insect, as their behavior and nesting habits differ greatly. Bees, including Honey Bees and Bumble Bees, are generally rounder and have visibly fuzzy or hairy bodies with alternating black and light brown bands. They feed on nectar and pollen, which makes them less aggressive unless their nest is directly threatened. Honey bees typically build wax hives in sheltered spots, while Bumble Bees often nest in existing holes, sometimes near the ground.
Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets, on the other hand, are predatory and have a much different appearance and temperament. They have slender, smooth bodies with a distinct “waist” between their thorax and abdomen, lacking the visible hair of a bee. These insects often have brighter, sharper yellow and black markings and tend to be highly aggressive. Unlike the honey bee, they can sting multiple times without dying.
Yellow jackets are particularly prone to building nests in the ground or in low-lying areas, making a bush a common location for activity. Their nests are constructed from a gray, paper-like material made from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. Correctly identifying the insect—fuzzy and docile (a bee) versus smooth and aggressive (a wasp or hornet)—will determine whether a non-lethal relocation is safe or if immediate professional intervention is necessary.
Safe and Non-Lethal Removal Strategies
If you have confirmed that the insects are non-aggressive bees, such as a temporary swarm of honey bees or a small bumble bee nest, the most responsible action is to seek live relocation. Contacting a local beekeeper association or a specialized live bee removal service is often the best approach. Many specialists will collect and relocate a honey bee swarm or hive for a low fee, or sometimes even for free, because they value the bees and can incorporate them into their apiary.
Beekeepers have the training and equipment to safely remove the entire colony and honeycomb, which prevents future infestations. If a hive is exterminated and the honey is left behind, the residue can attract other pests, lead to mold, or cause structural damage as the honey melts and leaks. Live removal ensures the bees continue their work as pollinators and avoids the complications of a decaying hive.
For minor bee activity or after a relocation, non-lethal deterrents can be applied to the bush to discourage the insects from returning. Bees are sensitive to strong odors, and certain natural substances can make an area unattractive to them. A spray solution made with water and several drops of peppermint oil is a popular choice, as the menthol scent is unpleasant to bees.
You can also use household items like cinnamon or garlic powder, sprinkling them lightly around the base of the bush or the area where the bees were active. The goal of these deterrents is to signal to scouting bees that the location is undesirable, prompting them to establish a new nest elsewhere. These substances are meant to repel, not kill, and should be used sparingly, avoiding direct application onto the bees themselves.
Pruning your bushes at the appropriate time of year, typically during the off-season when bees are less active, modifies the habitat to be less appealing. Reducing the presence of attractive flowering weeds or ground cover near the bush minimizes the available food source. Eliminating sources of standing water, which insects use for drinking, can also make your immediate landscape less hospitable to a colony looking to settle.
Criteria for Calling a Professional
While non-lethal relocation is the preferred method for bees, certain situations and insect types require the immediate involvement of a licensed professional. If you have identified the insect as an aggressive species like a yellow jacket or a bald-faced hornet, attempting a do-it-yourself removal is unsafe and can provoke a mass attack. These pests defend their nests fiercely and can sting repeatedly, creating a significant risk, especially for those with severe allergic reactions.
Nests located in structurally difficult or dangerous areas, such as inside a wall void adjacent to the bush or very close to an entrance, also necessitate expert help. A pest control specialist has the necessary training and equipment to eliminate aggressive nests completely and safely, often using tightly regulated chemical treatments. In these cases, the priority shifts to human safety and property protection over insect preservation.
A professional should also be called if the hive or nest is exceptionally large, indicating a mature colony. Although federal law does not outlaw killing honey bees, some areas may have local regulations encouraging live removal, and a professional can navigate these legal considerations. For bees, a specialized live bee removal company, rather than a general pest control company, should be contacted, as they are trained to relocate the colony without extermination.