Posts Tagged ‘bees’

Is it a Bee? Or a Wasp?

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

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When you see something yellow and black flying around in the air, you may automatically think it’s a bee. Or, you may always wonder if it’s a bee, or a wasp? The difference can be hard to tell, because bees and wasps do have so much in common, such as how they both seem to have a waist with a bauble of a body on either end. They both also have stingers and antennae, and they both fly around in the air. But what is the difference? The first major difference is that people tend to be more scared of wasps, even if they don’t know what they’re looking at. But this is for very good reason.

Although both bees and wasps have stingers, a bee’s stinger is ripped off of their body when they sting someone. This causes the bee to die after stinging and is the reason why bees can only sting once. Wasps, on the other hand, have incredibly strong stingers and they remain with the wasp even after the wasp has stung someone. Because of this, not only will a wasp not die if it stings you, but it will be able to sting you over and over again.

If you want to be able to tell if you’re near a bee or wasp, and you want to be able to tell before it stings you, you might be able to determine what the insect is just by looking at it. Bees are often much fuzzier than wasps and tend to have many hairs along their entire body, especially their legs. Wasps on the other hand, have a much more slender and smooth appearance.

Lastly, look at what the insect is near or eating if you want to be able to tell whether it’s a bee or wasp. Bees are workers and their job in life is to go out during the day and collect pollen for honey. Because of this, bees will usually be seen around flowers or live plants. Wasps, on the other hand, are scavengers and so, they will collect around anything that they can eat. This includes things like food, waste, and decaying plants.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258.

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Getting Bees to Buzz Off

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

When you have a bee problem, it can be quite a problem. Even though bees are amazing creatures, and they do a world of good in nature and for the environment, they can become quite the pest when you have them in or around your home. The problem is that swatting them or killing them upon sight won’t be enough to do the trick. You’ll need to find the nest that the bees live in, kill the bees inside, and then remove the hive. And before you do any of that, you first need to make sure that you know that you’re actually dealing with bees.

Start by identifying that it’s actually a bee that you’re trying to get rid of. Creatures like wasps and hornets are a whole different matter when trying to get rid of them. Do some research on the different types of infestations and then continue on with trying to get rid of your own. Once you’ve identified the bee, you’ll need to find out where it lives.

Bees are very active during the day. They’re busy going from flower to flower and collecting all of that wonderful and useful pollen. So, trying to track down the hive during daylight hours will probably prove to be futile. Instead, find the bees at dusk, preferably a group of them, and follow them as they return to their hive for the evening. Once you’ve found the hive, you’ll need to kill all the bees inside if you want to get rid of your problem.

Killing bees inside of beehive is actually pretty simple, even though it can seem quite intimidating. Dress in sweatpants, sweatshirt, gloves, and a hat, and make sure to roll your socks up over your pants so that a bee doesn’t fly up. Then, use a can of bee remover to completely spray the nest. Remember that up to six to eight thousand bees can live in one hive, so make sure it’s completely saturated with the bee killer. Once you’ve applied this once, repeat again the next evening to make sure that all the bees are gone. Once you’re sure, you’ll need to remove the hive so that it doesn’t become a home for future colonies.

If the hive is in a tree, knock it down and completely destroy it. The hive may smell like honey for awhile after the bees are gone, which will only make it a nice home for other bees. Make sure it’s completely destroyed and throw it out. If the hive is in the siding of a house, a professional may be necessary for removal. And if the hive is in a hole in the ground, destroy the hive and then fill the hole up completely with mud or sand to remove the honey smell entirely.

Always make sure that you’re well protected when trying to get rid of bees. Their stings can be quite nasty and when you have that many of them, can be a real health risk if you’re not careful.

For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258.

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Bees!

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Bees are one of the most beneficial species of insects for humankind.  Not only do they ensure the annual blooming of important plants and flowers, but they make honey and wax which we use for everything from food to cosmetics. However, bees aren’t always the most welcome addition to your property.   Despite their usefulness bees can also be dangerous, particularly to children and pets that inadvertently disturb them.  They can also be a serious health threat to people who have allergic reactions to bee stings.

Since bees are social creatures, they often live in large colonies which can survive for years.  If you see them around in a specific area, you can assume there is a hive containing several hundred to a thousand of these critters somewhere close by. 

Other insects related to common honey bees include wasps and hornets, both of which are substantially dangerous and can be highly aggressive, especially if provoked.  This makes removing them en masse a risky proposition, and not something that is recommended to the average homeowner. Professional pest control services have both experience and specialized tools which help them to remove these colonies.

Bees, wasps and hornets can build their nests indoors or out.  It is not unheard of for bees to chew through soft wall structures and set up shop within.  Signs that you have bees in your walls include hearing noise, dead bees, shed skins and pieces of wax combs scattered about.   Once they are removed you should seal up the entrance and check the rest of the perimeter of your home to make sure there are not other entry points.

Unless you’ve been trained in handling bees, it is best to call a pest control services like Accuracy Plus California.  These professionals can help you get rid of your bee colony and advise you on the best ways to prevent any future reoccurrence.  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com.

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How To Rid Your Home Of Bees and Hornets

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Bees and Hornets are extremely dangerous and treating them should be done with great care.  Remember that any time you attempt to engage with bees or hornets you run the risk of being attacked, so if you see a hive or nest on your property you should think long and hard about how you want to handle it before you do anything.

Even if you are only going to inspect the hive, try to do so at night when the insects are less likely to be active.  You should also wear protective clothing including light colored overalls, gloves with high sleeves, and a hat with a secure veil.   However, unless you have been specifically trained to handle bees or hornets, it is not wise to poke around much at all.

You have two options for removing them from your property.  First, find out if there is a local beekeeper who would be willing to come out and transfer the hive to their property.  There are many small honey producing beekeepers who may be interested in acquiring a new colony.  These individuals are experienced in handling bees and will have the equipment needed to remove them safely from your property.

The other option is to call a professional pest control service.  Obviously they will have to kill the bees, but if there is no other option for disposing of them, it is certainly a better option that putting your family at risk for serious injury.  A professional pest control service will also be trained in handling these creatures safely. 

Remember, if you have any known allergy to bee or hornet stings, or if you aren’t sure you are allergic do not risk going anywhere near a hive or colony.  Call for help immediately and stay safe!  For a free Los Angles pest control inspection, give us a call at 888-675-0258 or go to www.accuracypluscalifornia.com

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