Honey bees play an integral role in the Earth's ecosystem. They pollinate over 100 crops in the United States alone! Still, as cute and as helpful as honey bees are, they should not be allowed to run rampant in or around our homes. Luckily, with a little honey bee knowledge about stinging insect pest control in Los Angeles, every resident can be equipped to handle honey bees on their property.
There are two species of honeybee that are abundant in the United States: the European honeybee and the Africanized honeybee. The only physical difference between the two is that the Africanized honey bee is slightly smaller than the European honey bee. Both species of honey bee are gold and black, with bodies covered in peach fuzz. They have six legs and two sets of wings. Only females have stingers. Africanized honey bees are far more aggressive and will chase down their victims for up to a quarter-mile.
How To Tell If Honey Bees Have Invaded Your Yard
There are three main telltale signs of a bee invasion on your Los Angeles property. The first is seeing honey bees flying around your yard or inside of your home. This may mean that honey bees are nesting nearby.
Secondly, if you see honey bees in your vents, they're likely becoming a nuisance. This is a common place that honey bees will hide and nest within manmade structures.
Lastly, hearing buzzing in or around your home is a big red flag, signaling bees may be near. Some honey bees have even been known to get in between the walls, with their buzzing noises being what gives them away.
The Places Honey Bees Like To Build Their Nests
Honey bees are social insects that live within colonies numbering tens of thousands. Honey bees use their hive, or nest, to store food, raise young, and hibernate during winter. The queen can lay 2,000 eggs per day and has a lifespan of up to five years. This is all well and good outdoors, where honey bees build their hives in tree hollows. However, sometimes honey bees nest inside of homes. Honey bees have been known to build their hives within fences, roofs, vents, and inside of wall cavities.
Natural Ways To Prevent Bees From Returning To Your Yard
There are a few tips that Los Angeles homeowners can use to keep honey bees away from their yard, such as:
- Keep sugar sealed away. Sugar is a major attractant for honey bees, so after a backyard barbecue, all arrant marshmallows and stray soda cans should be tossed immediately.
- Keeping food in airtight containers will also mitigate the chances of a honeybee infestation.
- Avoiding standing water, like birdbaths and pottery, will offer no place for honey bees to quench their thirst.
- Planting flowers far away from doorways and windows will keep honey bees from gaining easy access to your home.
- Cutting all white clover, a popular plant for honey bees, out of your yard will be one less attractive for honey bees.
Having honey bees in your yard isn't necessarily a problem. After all, they will pollinate your flowers, adding to the aesthetic appeal of your property. However, if you have an abundance of bees, it could be time to consult a pest professional.
Call The Pros For The Safe Removal Of A Bees Nest
If honey bees are already swarming on your Los Angeles property, it is best not to disturb them. If honey bees, especially Africanized honey bees, feel threatened, they are likely to attack. Honey bees are equipped with barbed stingers that release toxins into their victims. This causes mild pain and swelling for most, but those with allergies could be at risk of anaphylactic shock.
For safe removal of honey bees, call the professionals like A Step Above Pest Control & Termite. We specialize in pest control for Los Angeles residences. With years of experience and knowledge, we are prepared to quickly and safely treat your home for any pests and remove beehives. Give A Step Above Pest Control & Termite a call today to protect your Los Angeles home.