How to Get Rid of Bees

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Dealing with a single bee is a rather easy task, but removing a whole colony can be a very complicated and potentially dangerous process. For this reason, you should arrange for a professional to deal with the problem. Before you do, though, you can use some clues about the bees’ appearance and nesting to help identify the species. With this information, you can then anticipate what will need to be done to remove them, which can help you compare costs when obtaining quotes from professionals. Finally, you can then take preventative measures to reduce the chance of having to deal with this problem again.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Identifying the Species

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  1. Whenever you spot what you think is a bee, take a good look at the insect before you attempt to do anything else. Confirm that it is indeed a bee and not a wasp or hornet. Tell the difference by:
    • Hair: Bees appear furry all over. Wasps and hornets may have a small amount of hair on their bodies, but you’d need to inspect them very closely to see it.
    • Food sources: Bees nourish themselves from flowers’ nectar. Wasps and hornets prey on other insects and/or scavenge food waste.
    • Thickness: Bees tend to be pretty plump in the middle, while wasps and hornets have thinner waists and more elongated bodies. [1]
  2. Expect different types of bees to require different approaches when it comes to getting rid of them. [2] Take a picture of them to show a professional exterminator or beekeeper, or compare it with online resources like https://friendsoftheearth.uk/nature/bee-identification-guide . If you're in the United States, you'll most likely be dealing with honeybees, bumblebees, carpenter bees, or possibly Africanized honey bees.
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  3. Expect these two to appear fairly similar at first glance. If you’re comparing photos online and believe that you have one or the other, do a little more digging to be sure. Tell the two apart by: [3]
    • Visual clues: Carpenter bees feature a black dot on the top of their thorax (the part where the wings and legs grow from). They also have less hair than a bumblebee.
    • Sociability: Carpenter bees are solitary, while bumblebees tend to swarm.
  4. If you’re unable to take a photo (or if your photos don’t come out that great), don’t worry. Look for their nest. Use that to help narrow down the species. [4]
    • Honeybees’ nests are often found within hollow spaces, such as tree trunks, logs, and fence posts. They usually don’t use home structures to build their nests but are sometimes found in roofs, attics, and wall cavities if there is access from the outside.
    • Bumblebees typically nest in or near the soil, such as in deserted rodent nests, compost piles, or underneath raised outdoor structures like sheds or porches.
    • Carpenter bees usually burrow into wood to build their nests. Look for bee activity around coin-sized holes in things like eaves, porches, and trimming. [5]
  5. If you can't figure out what type of bee it is, don't beat yourself up about it. Knowing what type it is will help you anticipate how much work will be needed to get rid of them (and thus cost-compare between companies and budget accordingly), but it's not necessary to start the process. Just contact a pest-control company specializing in bees and arrange for an inspection so they can identify them for you.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Dealing with the Problem

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  1. If the bees are only seen outside, consider leaving them alone unless someone is allergic to bees. Remember that they play a major role in the environment by promoting pollination and that honeybees, in particular, have been declining in population over recent years. [6] Also keep in mind that:
    • Although most bees have stingers, they usually only ever use them as a last resort, which means you really have to antagonize them before they sting you. As long as you stay relaxed when they’re around, you should be fine. In fact, some bees (like male carpenter bees) don’t even have stingers. [7]
    • One exception to this rule may be Africanized honey bees , which are much more likely to turn aggressive and stay that way once they’re disturbed. [8]
  2. If you’re seeing bees inside the house (or if you’ve spotted, say, carpenter bees burrowing into wooden portions of your house), consider this to be a situation where it’s appropriate to get rid of them. Any damage they may cause to the structure will be minimal in the beginning, but expect the risk and extent of damage to increase over time if left untreated. [9]
    • Carpenter bees will continue to expand their nests throughout wooden structures if left alone.
    • Honeybees create honeycombs. These can become quite heavy and possibly damage surrounding areas. [10] The honey may also attract other animals. [11]
  3. Killing a single bee is relatively easy, but expect to deal with a whole nest of them to be a much more involved and lengthy process. Keep in mind that if it isn’t done correctly and thoroughly, you’ll most likely end up with a new batch of bees appearing shortly. Also remember: [12]
    • Bees are usually happy to ignore you right up until you start messing with their nest. And though a single bee sting is pretty bearable, you may be faced with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of the little guys when you attack them at the source. [13]
    • Depending on the type of bee you have, the method for removing them may vary. Professionals may use smoke, pesticides, or other means of extraction for the bees themselves, plus using the second hive to extract honey from the left-behind nest.
    • Removal of the nest itself may also require carpentry work to gain access and repair damage to structures.
    EXPERT TIP

    Steve Downs

    Live Bee Removal Specialist
    Steve Downs is a Live Honey Bee Removal Specialist, Honey bee Preservationist, and the Owner of Beecasso Live Bee Removal Inc, a licensed bee removal and relocation business based in the Los Angeles, California metro area. Steve has over 20 years of humane bee capturing and bee removal experience for both commercial and residential locations. Working with beekeepers, agriculturalists, and bee hobbyists, Steve sets up bee hives throughout the Los Angeles area and promotes the survival of bees. He has a passion for honeybee preservation and has created his own Beecasso sanctuary where rescued bee hives are relocated and preserved.
    Steve Downs
    Live Bee Removal Specialist

    Our Expert Agrees: Don't use chemicals or soap and water to try to exterminate a bee hive. This will infuriate the bees, and it can be very dangerous. It's also not effective, as the cavity will remain full of wax comb, brood chambers, and honey. The only solution for this situation is to have professionals remove the entire hive to prevent bees from returning.

  4. First, determine if the bees’ nest is technically on public property instead of your own. If so, contact your local government and report it so they can deal with it. If not, call them anyway, since they may offer free services to have the nest removed, depending on your area. [14]
    • What free services (if any) are available will depend on your area. They may include extraction of both bees and nests or only the bees themselves. They may or may not include repairs to any structural damage.
    • Free services are more likely to be available if the nest is in a natural structure (like a tree) rather than your home or other manmade structure. However, it’s still worth calling and finding out for sure about their policy regarding manmade structures on your property.
  5. If your local government does provide free bee removal, don’t jump at it immediately. Keep in mind that even though the “free services” offered may technically be free, they won’t necessarily cover all the work that needs to be done. Find out exactly what those services cover and then contact private companies on your own to explore your options. [15]
    • This is of particular importance if the nest is located within your home’s structure. Gaining access to it may involve cutting into the structure to expose the nest. Free services may not include repairs needed afterwards.
    • If repairs aren’t done or are done improperly then new bees might take up residence in the same area. This means it may be cheaper in the long run to hire a private company that will remove the bees, make repairs, and offer a warranty covering future infestations.
  6. If you’re sure that you have honey bees, look up local beekeepers in your area. Have the beekeepers remove the honeybees from your property if possible rather than kill them. Remember that healthy honey bees are in decline, which is unfortunate because they play an integral part in pollinating fruit and vegetable crops. [16]
    • If you aren’t able to locate a beekeeper in your area, find a pest control company specializing in bees instead. They may also attempt to remove honeybees before resorting to extermination.
  7. If the bees have nested in your home’s structure (or any other on your property), expect whomever you may hire to possibly have to cut through walls, floors, and ceilings to gain access. Obviously, this means repair work will have to be done afterwards. For this reason, search for pest control companies that specifically specialize in bees.
    • Bee specialists are more likely to take care of repairs themselves, while a more general pest control company will probably only get rid of the bees. This means you will have to either do the repairs yourself or hire a contractor.
    • Bee specialists are also more likely to offer you a warranty in case bees return to the same area, which may save you more money in the long run.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Bees from Returning

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  1. Make sure that whoever you hire doesn’t kill or remove the bees and leave their nest and honeycomb behind. Expect these to attract new bees. Prevent a new problem by making sure that the old one is taken care of thoroughly. [17]
  2. If the company needed to cut into any part of your home’s structure to reach the nest and didn’t repair the damage themselves, do so immediately. Assume that if one bee colony found this area to be a good place to build a nest, others will, too. Seal off their access to it as soon as possible. [18]
    • Close any other gaps, cracks, or other points of access, too. Remember: if one bee colony set up shop within a structure, others will do the same. Assess the area and identify any points where bees could access it. Seal those points with caulk, insulation foam, or whatever the situation demands.
  3. Limit the number of places where bees can build a nest. Remove any unnecessary junk that has accumulated and now offers bees a perfect spot to build a nest. Depending on which types of bees live in your area, also consider:
    • Blocking access to crawl spaces and underneath raised structures like outdoor sheds, porches, or decks.
    • Filling in old rodent dens and other holes in the ground.
    • Putting compost into a container rather than leaving it as an open pile.
    • Removing hollowed trees and logs.
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  • Question
    How do I keep bees away from my backyard gathering?
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    Vinegar and mint extract are known to repel bees.
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    How can I know if I have bees in a wall cavity?
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    You can spot them traveling to and from their hive through nearby cracks, gaps, or other points of access. You can also listen for them buzzing behind the wall.
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    Is there an insecticide that will kill bumblebees?
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    There are a variety on the market. Talstar P and Spectracide are two examples.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/have-you-found-hornet
      2. ↑ https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-57
      3. ↑ https://extension.msstate.edu/blog/what%E2%80%99s-the-difference-carpenter-bees-and-bumble-bees
      4. ↑ https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/stinging-insects/carpenter-bees/
      5. ↑ https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/stinging-insects/carpenter-bees/
      6. ↑ https://bpca.org.uk/pest-aware/bee-control-how-to-get-rid-of-bees-bpca-a-z-of-pests/189185
      7. ↑ https://bpca.org.uk/pest-aware/bee-control-how-to-get-rid-of-bees-bpca-a-z-of-pests/189185
      8. ↑ https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/stinging-insects/africanized-killer-bees/
      9. ↑ https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/stinging-insects/africanized-killer-bees/
      1. ↑ https://www.bbka.org.uk/faqs/bee-produce-yes-honey-bees-make-alsorts-of-wonderful-things-as-well-as-honey
      2. ↑ https://www.lsu.edu/departments/entomology/assets/pub2874removingbees.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.lawestvector.org/africanized-bees/bee-protection-control/
      4. ↑ https://www.lawestvector.org/africanized-bees/bee-protection-control/
      5. ↑ https://browardbees.org/professional-rescues
      6. ↑ https://www.pesticide.org/bees_wasps
      7. ↑ https://www.pesticide.org/bees_wasps
      8. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74159.html
      9. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74159.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Dealing with bees in your home or garden can be a difficult problem, especially if they’re aggressive. But before you call an exterminator or reach for a can of pesticide, try to get a close look at the bees to determine what kind they are. For instance, if they’re slender and mostly hairless, they might be wasps or hornets instead of bees. On the other hand, true bees tend to be fuzzy and have wider waists. Big, round bees may be bumblebees or carpenter bees, while honeybees tend to be smaller and narrower. Keep in mind that most true bees aren’t that aggressive and many are helpful to the environment, so if they’re not actually inside your home, you may not need to get rid of them. Whatever kind of insect you’re dealing with, it’s best to call the professionals instead of trying to get rid of them yourself. If you’re pretty sure they’re bees, call a beekeeper or a pest removal service that specializes in bees. They can remove or relocate the bees safely, and may even be able to repair any damage to your home, such as holes left by carpenter bees. If you think it may be wasps instead, an exterminator will know how to safely kill them and destroy the nest. A pest control professional should also make sure there’s no trace of the nest left behind, since any remaining nest could attract more bees to the area. Depending on where you live, you might also be able to get free assistance from your local government in dealing with the bees. Once the bees are gone, seal up any gaps or cracks in your home where new bees could come in. Check the area around your home for ideal nesting sites, such as hollow logs, open crawl spaces, or old rodent dens, and close them up or fill them in. This should help prevent the bees from returning. For tips on identifying the different bee species, read on!

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