Get rid of bees before they sting. Bee and wasp stings not only hurt, to some people their stings can be life-threatening.
There are hundreds of species and they're found everywhere in the world. Some species are communal and live in colonies in hives or nests. Others are solitary and do not sting since they have no colony to protect. Most species of bees and wasps are an important part of the ecosystem. Predatory wasps eat harmful insects like ticks, houseflies, and blowflies. Other wasps help pollinate certain crops. Honeybees are valuable pollinators and produce honey. When controlling bees and wasps, your goal should be to identify them and take steps to reduce your exposure to certain species rather than eliminate them if at all possible. There is a plethora of websites and handbooks available to help you identify bees and wasps. The most common are honey bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, paper wasps, and yellowjackets.
Before you look into bee removal, know what you're dealing with. Honeybees are orangish brown or black and about half an inch long. They nest in hives and are not aggressive unless the colony is threatened. Bumblebees are fuzzy and have black and yellow markings. They can measure up to an inch in length. Their nests are found in dense grass or in the ground. Carpenter bees resemble bumble bees except for their large shiny upper abdomens. They're between a half inch and an inch long. They bore into wood to make their nests. Yellowjackets are black and yellow and less than an inch long. They make paper-like basketball-sized nests. Paper wasp are brownish in color and build paper-like nests that hang in an umbrella shape.
Signs of bees and wasps. It's normal to see a few bees buzzing around in the backyard, especially if you have flowers. However, more than a few can signal a nearby hive. Round, smooth holes bored into the wood structures around your home can indicate a carpenter bee infestation. Decks and porches are especially vulnerable. Most people encounter wasps flying around inside and outside. Since queen wasps survive the winter and create new colonies in the spring, you're more likely to see them during the hotter months. If you see wasps in the house in late summer, it can indicate a nest in your walls or chimney. Listen for buzzing noises.
Preventing bees and wasps. When working in the yard or garden, avoid wearing yellow or white. These two colors attract wasps and other insects. Opt for reds since most insects can't see this color. Bees can be attracted to floral prints. Don't wear any fragrances. Wear shoes when walking outdoors to prevent stings on your feet. Since garbage attracts wasps, keep cans lidded and clean on the outside. Don't feed your pets outdoors or on the patio or porch. Plug the end pipes of playground equipment so wasps can't settle and build nests in them. Seal cracks around your home to discourage carpenter bees.
Removal methods. If a family member is allergic to bee stings, removal should be aggressive. Since honeybees have been threatened in recent years, do try to remove them without deadly pesticides. Use your local agriculture extension office or social media to find a beekeeper for help. For carpenter bees, use a residual insecticide dust in holes and galleries. If you've checked under eaves, overhangs, decks, and porches and haven't spotted a wasp colony, they're likely harmless solitary insects. Depending on the severity and location of the nest, you may be able to eradicate the colony with a hand-held spray can or larger container with a spray nozzle. Wear protective clothing and a safety mask.
DIY or professional. If you're interested in getting rid of stinging wasps in an environmentally-friendly way, there are directions for soap sprays and DIY wasp traps available online. For those with allergies, large infestations, or nests in hard-to-reach areas, it's best to contact a professional exterminator. Small containers of sprays will only antagonize a large colony of wasps. There are several types of wasps and they can be confused with hornets. Knowing the type of wasps you have is important for the correct treatment. A professional exterminator will have the knowledge to identify the wasps and use the proper removal method.