Q&A for How to Identify Honey Bees

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Question

How can you tell honey bees from carpenter bees?

David Williams
Beekeeper & Bee Removal Specialist
David Williams is a Professional Beekeeper and Bee Removal Specialist with over 28 years of beekeeping experience. He is the Owner of Bzz Bee Removal, a bee removal company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bzz Bee Removal locates, captures, and transports bees to local beekeepers to prevent colony collapse disorder.

David Williams

Beekeeper & Bee Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

If you see pencil-sized holes, piles of sawdust near wood in your home, or bees near your eaves, you may be dealing with carpenter bees instead.

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Question

Are honey bees aggressive?

CanisChiroptera

Community Answer

Unless they feel that their hive is in danger, not at all. If a bee stings you, it will die, so it will only do so if absolutely necessary. Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone!

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Question

I have a hive above the door of our house. How long will the bees stay at the hive?

Gabriella Calderon

Community Answer

The hive will remain there until something disturbs the hive or the bees are killed. If you plan to remove the bees yourself, only do so at night. The bees will not leave the hive at night because they would not be able to make it back. You might want to check out the article How to Get Rid of Bees , as there is info in there about how to get the hive moved without having to kill the bees.

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Question

I have removed my garden shed and there is a bees nest under the soil. How do I remove them without harming them?

Community Answer

The best thing to do is find a beekeeper in your area, as they are trained to remove hives without hurting the bees. Your local city/town hall may have information on who you can contact. Check out How to Get Rid of Bees for more information.

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