How to Keep Bees from Nesting in Your Home
While having visitors over to your home can be fun, there are some guests that are unwanted. We’re not talking about your in-laws- we’re talking about honey bees!
Honey bees play a huge role in pollination. As they travel from flower to flower, they are one of the primary means of transferring pollen, fertilization and reproduction for all types of plants and flowers. Without their hard work, we wouldn’t have nearly the amount of fruits and vegetables that we enjoy today.
The stinging and the buzzing can be unnerving for lots of people, and that is completely understandable. Especially for those who are allergic to bee stings, bee safety is very important. Many people contact us wondering how they can prevent bees from nesting in their home or on their properties. Here, we will share our top tips for keeping bees from moving in!
5 Ways to Keep Bees from Nesting in Your Home
When bees infest your home, it is most likely because they are trying to find a new home after their original colony split due to its size. When a colony is growing too large, a new queen is produced. She will remain in the original hive with about half of the bees, while the old queen leaves with the other half of the colony. Scout bees will seek out the best location for their new home while the rest of the hive swarms for a short time, usually a few hours but up to a few days.
While there isn’t much you can do to stop this natural process, you can do some things to make your home an unappealing piece of property for honey bees.
Close All Possible Access Points
Bees have to enter your home somehow- and they rarely use the front door. Any available crack, crevice or open seam in your home can be an access point for honey bees. Do a thorough check around your home to identify possible entrances for bees and seal them with a natural, chemical free sealant. Don’t forget to look at your roof and around your windows.
Clean Up Your Yard
Bees also like to build their homes in concealed and protected areas in your yard. Places like downed tree branches or unused cars, lawn furniture or landscaping machines can be great places to house bees. They provide protection from predators and help to maintain ideal temperatures for bees. Avoid leaving many items around your property. Throw away unused items or store them indoors.
Plant Plants Bees Don’t Like
Bees don’t love every plant. In fact, there are plenty of species that will actually deter bees. Plants like red geraniums, wormwood and citronella are just a few plants that bees don’t dig. Plant these around your property to discourage bees from hanging around too long.
Remove All Signs of a Previous Infestation
When bees smell the odors leftover from a previous bee infestation, they are attracted to the area and will come buzzing over to build a nest. To prevent this, it is vital that you eliminate all traces of an old infestation by removing all of the honey comb, honey and dead bees that may be found in the area.
Call Professional Live Bee Removal Experts
If you are still struggling with a bee infestation on your property, the best thing to do is call expert San Diego bee removal technicians at D-Tek Live Bee Removal. We can come to your property right away and give you a fast and honest quote for services. Call our office today to schedule your inspection and get the advice of our bee professionals.