Bees are some of the most fascinating creatures in nature. As pollinators, they help sustain plant life and contribute to the food chain in ways most people don’t even realize. However, not all bee encounters are pleasant. While many species are harmless when left undisturbed, certain aggressive varieties, such as Africanized honey bees, threaten people and pets. A hive too close to your home can quickly become a hazard, especially during swarming season.
If you find bees in Arizona nesting on your property, you need a professional approach to remove them without putting your or your family at risk. Let’s learn more about different bee species, why they choose certain nesting spots, bee safety tips, and how professional removal from Burns Pest Elimination can help you reclaim your space.
Different Types of Bees: Are All Bees Dangerous?
Interestingly, the most common bee species in North America—European honey bees—are not native to the continent. European settlers brought these bees in the 1600s and other now-common animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens. These settlers, along with people worldwide for thousands of years, valued honey for its nearly infinite shelf life, using it as a sweetener before refined sugar became widely available.
However, European honey bees are just one of many bee species found in North America. Other varieties you are likely to encounter include:
- Sweat bees. Small and often metallic-colored, these bees are attracted to human sweat and typically do not sting.
- Bumblebees. Larger and fuzzier than honey bees, bumblebees are essential pollinators that usually build nests underground.
- Carpenter bees. Unlike other bees, these burrow into wood to create nesting tunnels.
- Miner bees. These solitary bees dig burrows in the soil instead of forming large colonies.
- Africanized honey bees. Aggressive hybrids are responsible for numerous stinging incidents each year.
What Are Africanized Honey Bees?
The origins of Africanized honey bees, also known as killer bees, is a surprisingly interesting story.
These bees are descendants of colonies bred by Brazilian biologist Warwick E. Kerr. In 1957, Kerr attempted to create a hybrid species that could produce more honey in warm climates. Kerr interbred European and African bees, but an assistant accidentally released some of the hybrids before safety barriers were established. The bees quickly spread across the Americas, breeding with local European honey bees and establishing aggressive new colonies.
But what makes them different? Africanized honey bees are incredibly assertive and respond to threats with large-scale attacks, chasing their targets for long distances and stinging repeatedly. Unlike European honey bees, which only attack when provoked, Africanized bees can become agitated by minor disturbances, making them the worst bees to find in your home.
Where Do Bees Make Their Hives?
In the wild, bees look for natural cavities like hollow trees, rock crevices, and caves to protect themselves from predators and harsh weather. There are exceptions, though. Carpenter bees excavate tunnels in wood rather than forming traditional hives, and ground-dwelling species, such as miner bees, dig burrows in the soil, a nesting behavior more commonly associated with hornets.
Bees have adapted well to cities, making nests in walls, abandoned buildings, and even inside utility boxes or under bridges. One of their favorite places to nest is inside public trash cans, especially at amusement parks or outside gas stations where sugary drinks are commonly thrown away. Unfortunately, this is also one of the reasons why they like to target homes.
What Attracts Bees to Homes
Bees are naturally drawn to sheltered areas with easy access to food, and as you can see below, there are plenty of appealing places throughout your home for them:
- Attics and chimneys. These enclosed spaces offer warmth and security from predators.
- Wall voids and gaps. Openings in your home’s exterior provide excellent protection for hive-building.
- Wood structures. Carpenter bees drill into wooden decks, fences, and siding to make nesting chambers. Check for small piles of sawdust beneath your railing to find their tunnels.
- Outdoor barbecues and picnics. As we know, sugary drinks and sweet foods attract foraging bees looking for alternative food sources.
- Flower garden. Plants with abundant pollen and nectar are irresistible food sources for bees. Asters, lavender, and bee balm are favorites.
How Does Professional Bee Removal Work?
There are a variety of methods at our disposal for each bee removal job, and we carefully inspect your home to determine the scale of the infestation and the variety of bees on site. Then, we’ll plan our treatment to minimize the risk to your home and those inside.
Whenever possible, we prioritize relocation over extermination. Since bees play a central role in our ecosystem, we attempt to transport colonies to safer locations where they can continue pollinating plants without posing a risk to homeowners. However, relocation is not always feasible, especially for hives in hard-to-reach areas or colonies of aggressive Africanized bees.
Our professionals often use smoke to safely remove bees, which calms the insects by triggering a natural response that reduces their aggression. If the hive is severe and dangerous, insecticides may be used to eliminate the infestation. Expert intervention from a Burns Pest Elimination professional is the best way to prevent recurring infestations and minimize structural damage to your home.
Bee Safety and Risks of DIY Bee Removal
Attempting to remove a beehive on your own can be extremely dangerous. Large colonies defend their nests aggressively, and disturbing a hive can provoke a swarm attack. Additionally, as a hive grows, it causes increasing damage to your home, making removal more complex and expensive the longer you wait.
Most bees will likely avoid you if left undisturbed. That being said, if you find yourself near a bee colony, we highly advise following our bee safety tips:
- Stay calm and move away slowly. Sudden movements can provoke bees, making them more likely to sting.
- Avoid swatting at bees. Agitated bees release alarm pheromones, which attract more bees to the area.
- Seek shelter indoors. If bees become aggressive, find a safe indoor space to escape a potential swarm attack.
Schedule Your Bee Removal Service From Burns
If bees have taken up residence on your property, time is the most important factor. As a colony grows, it will become more aggressive. To remove them from your home without putting yourself at risk, make a beeline for the phone and call Burns Pest Elimination.
You can schedule an appointment within minutes, and one of our expert bee exterminators will be at your door to help you keep your home happy, healthy, and buzzing with excitement.