When bees are quickly awakening & swarming, what does this mean?

When bees are swarming into your home, that becomes a major problem for a homeowner. Bees can easily enter through open doors, windows or cracks in your home and the situation must be addressed immediately.

What are bees?

Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees live in colonies that consist of the queen, worker bees, and drones. Worker bees clean the hive, collecting pollen and nectar to feed the colony and they take care of the offspring. The drone’s only job is to mate with the queen and the queen’s only job is to lay eggs.  There are about 20,000 different species of bees in the world, the most commonly known are the honey bee, the bumble bee, and the carpenter bee. 

How to get rid of bees

Never try to remove a swarm or hive yourself. Swarms are dangerous and require proper equipment. If you have a non-aggressive swarm and they are easily accessible, a live removal might be the best way to handle the problem, however, not all bees can be saved or relocated.  Assuming the bees are not aggressive we can relocate the swarm by smoking them and putting them in a box. Not only do the bees get to live happily in a new home, but there are also no pesticides involved and it’s environmentally friendly. The goal is to get them to a beekeeper that will re-queen the colony and help preserve the bee population.

Why should I address the problem?

Bees will become aggressive if they feel threatened. While one sting may not be life-threatening, multiple stings can send your body into a state of shock and cause an extreme, often life-threatening allergic reaction to an antigen to which the body has become hypersensitive to. This is called an anaphylactic shock.

What are the most common diseases spread by bees?

Bee stings can cause very serious symptoms and illness associated with allergic reactions and hypersensitivity to bee venom. Perhaps the most recognized reactions are seen when a bee stings a person, particularly children, who are hypersensitive to the bee’s venom. This may result in serious, maybe even life-threatening conditions. These stings generally create lesions and may also involve intense pain, swelling, itching, and potential of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that causes shock. Secondary infections to stings can occur if the bites and stings are not kept clean and properly disinfected.

What are some preventative measures I can take?

The most effective prevention is not trying to attract bees.

• Avoid fragrances like perfume or hairspray, which will attract bees. Be careful around flowers.
• Do not wear bright color clothing, especially clothing with floral patterns.
• Be careful with foods, especially soda cans.

How expensive is it to remove bees?

The cost is variable and depends on the size and location of the hive. Call Summit Environmental Solutions for a free, no-obligation quote. Contact us or visit 703-520-5868.