When you notice increased bee activity near your home, it is natural to wonder what is drawing them to the area. Bees are constantly searching for resources necessary for survival and colony maintenance. Their presence indicates they have found something within or immediately surrounding your structure that meets a basic biological need. These needs fall into three distinct categories: a reliable source of nutrition, accessible water, or a secure place to establish a permanent home.
Accidental Food Sources Near Your Home
Bees, particularly honey bees, are highly attuned to sugar and are opportunistic foragers when natural sources are scarce. Spilled soft drinks, open containers of sugary liquids, or discarded residues from outdoor gatherings are immediate, high-energy attractants. These insects possess a refined sense of smell and can detect fermenting sugars from fruit waste in uncovered garbage cans.
Anything mimicking a high-sugar nectar source can draw them in, which extends beyond visible food items. This includes the subtle, sweet scent profiles of certain laundry detergents, perfumes, or outdoor cleaning products that contain floral or fruity notes. Pet food left outside, especially wet varieties, can also attract certain bee species.
Even fruit trees or berry bushes planted close to the house can lead to increased bee traffic, particularly when overripe or fallen fruit begins to decay and ferment on the ground. Regular, thorough cleaning of outdoor surfaces and immediate disposal of all waste into sealed, airtight containers can quickly eliminate these localized food signals. Prompt cleanup of fruit drop from nearby trees is also an effective way to remove easy sources of sugar.
Essential Water Sources and Moisture
Water is a non-negotiable requirement for bee colonies, used both for hydration and for cooling the hive during warmer months through evaporative cooling. A small, persistent drip from an outdoor spigot or a slow leak in an irrigation line provides a highly reliable, easily accessible moisture source. Bees prefer shallow, muddy, or damp surfaces where they can safely land and drink without the risk of drowning.
Standing water in neglected bird baths, upturned planters, or poorly draining rain gutters can quickly become a major water collection point for nearby colonies. Areas near the house where condensation collects or where the soil is chronically damp, perhaps due to poor drainage or a foundation leak, are also highly attractive. Eliminating all sources of standing water and promptly repairing any plumbing leaks are the most effective ways to reduce this specific type of attraction near the home structure.
Structural Gaps That Offer Shelter
The most concerning type of attraction is the search for a secure, long-term nesting site, which is often the reason for persistent bee presence over several weeks. Bees seek protected, dark, and dry cavities that offer insulation against temperature fluctuations and defense against potential predators. The construction of a house often inadvertently provides numerous such voids.
Common entry points include unsealed gaps around utility lines, openings beneath fascia boards or eaves, and inadequately screened attic vents. Once inside a wall cavity, a colony can quickly establish itself, utilizing the void space for honeycomb construction and brood rearing. Gaps in exterior siding or mortar, even those only 1/4 inch wide, are sufficient for entry by smaller species like solitary bees or scout honey bees.
Other potential shelter sites are less integrated into the main structure but still adjacent, such as unused chimneys, hollow columns on porches, or storage sheds. Similarly, wood piles stacked directly against the house can provide sheltered nooks and crannies, especially for solitary wood-nesting species like carpenter bees. Sealing all exterior gaps, applying fine mesh screening to vents, and ensuring proper maintenance of the building envelope is the primary preventative measure against structural nesting.
Identifying the Visitor and Safe Next Steps
Before taking any action, it is important to accurately identify the insects visiting your property, as their behaviors and appropriate management differ significantly. True bees, such as fuzzy honey bees or the large, solitary bumble bee, are primarily attracted to pollen, nectar, and structural voids for nesting. Wasps and hornets, which typically have smoother, more streamlined bodies and a distinct pinched waist, are often more attracted to protein and garbage.
If you suspect a honey bee colony has taken up residence within a wall or other structural void, the recommended approach is to contact a local beekeeper or specialized bee removal service. These professionals are trained to safely remove the colony, including all honeycomb and residual materials, and relocate it without harm to the insects. Conversely, if the visitors are confirmed to be aggressive wasps or hornets, a licensed pest control professional is the appropriate contact for safe and effective elimination of the nest, especially if it is in an inaccessible location.