Category Archives for "Bees"

0 Carpenter Bee Traps – DIY Bee Traps & Bee Butter Bait

Carpenter bees are large bees that can be found all over the world. There are more than five hundred species and their name comes from the way they construct their nests in dead wood, structural timber, and bamboo. These insects build nests by tunneling through wood with their mandibles. While there are many cases in which carpenter bees are beneficial for homeowners, in most cases they become a nuisance. When this happens, homeowners are looking for methods or getting rid of the insects and one of these methods is trapping.

Why should carpenter bees be trapped?

There are a lot of reasons to trap these creatures. They can drill hundreds of holes and tunnels in the wooden parts of your house. These insects can be ironically compared with cordless drills, as the damage that they can do is quite similar. Every year, these creatures can drill further into the wood to deploy their eggs, causing significant damage to your property. The wooden support of various house components can eventually fail. While the carpenter bees that live in the forests find rotting wood to do their drilling, in houses they use any wood that they find. The following problems can be created by carpenter bees in general: noise, erratic flying, stains, stinging and damaged wood.

How can carpenter bees be trapped?

Trapping carpenter bees can be tricky and even dangerous, because these insects are not very cooperative or easy to fool. It is said that the best defense is to attack first, so you have to build a trap yourself of buy one from the stores. Carpenter bees drill holes and tunnels in wood and you can use this to your advantage. The simplest idea of a trap can be to drill holes in a piece of wood with tunnels that will lead to an empty jar.

Things to do before using a trap

Before you actually use a trap to catch these insects, you need to be prepared. You will have to observe the bees and their tracks and identify them so you are sure they are carpenter bees. You should try to identify their nests as well. Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees a lot, but you must know how to differentiate these two types of insects. While bumblebees are hairy and build their nests in the ground, carpenter bees are bald and build their nests in wood. A first measure that people may take to attract the bees out of their homes is to plant flowers in the garden. This may work for other types of bees, but carpenter bees are clever. Prior to beginning a trapping operation, you should also ask yourself if the carpenter bees on your property really have to be caught. Many times these insects can prove to be useful.

How to make a basic trap for carpenter bees?

The basic type of carpenter bee trap exploits the idea that carpenter bees not only drill their own holes and tunnels to lay eggs but their also use already existing holes in wood as starting points for their tunnels. You can use a drill to make holes in a wooden box that you can hang near the places where the insects have been spotted. The holes have to be drilled on each side of the box, at an upward angle. At the base of the box, you will have to attach an empty plastic bottle. The bees will enter the already drilled holes and then they will see the light from the hole made in the base of the wooden box. They will go to it thinking it leads outside, but they will fall into the plastic bottle, becoming trapped.

What other solutions besides basic traps exist?

There are more complex traps as well. You can find various plans for building these traps on the Internet and some of them don’t even cost a thing. Besides basic traps that are easy to make but that may not be the most efficient, there are complex traps that you can find in the form of trap plans in hardware stores. Not all of these plans are complex, as some may be simple but ingenious. In fact, when people see them, they may wonder how these simple traps could be as effective as manufacturers may claim that they are.

Store Bought Carpenter Bee Traps

There are quite a few different Carpenter Bee Traps on the market that actually work great.  One of them that works pretty well is the Chrisman Mill Farms Wood Bee Gone Carpenter Bee Trap.  You can actually pick up the Wood Bee Gone Bee Trap here for around 20 bucks, although the price does vary.

Benefits of using traps for carpenter bee removal

Some plans are made specifically to be environmentally toxin-free and effective in eliminating the insects. The main idea behind each plan is to make the tunnels in the wood smooth enough so that bees will fall into the trap without any chance to get out. These plans try to imitate the natural habitat of the bees and they are easy to install. You can also visit hardware stores to see exactly how such plans look and work. Different trap plans are available for different types of infestations, like small or large.

How to choose the right trap plan for carpenter bees?

From the multitude of bee traps and trap plans that you can find on the market, homeowners can find it difficult to choose. You can find items at any complexity on the market, from simple plans that use a plastic recipient to catch the insects to plans that can be able to help you catch hundreds of bees in a short period of time. Once you have the right trap plan for your needs, you will see how easy it can be to deal with the infestation.

What are the benefits of using a carpenter bee trap?

By using a bee trap, you avoid the use of poisons and sprays, which can be detrimental to the health of your children and pets if they are not used with care. A trap can help you to catch the insects in a convenient way. All you have to do to catch them is to place the trap in position and wait. Carpenter bee traps will protect your home, in combination with preventive measures to stop new bees from drilling in to the wood of your house.

Using professional services to trap the bees

Companies who are specialized in the control and elimination of carpenter bees can have the experience and equipment to find all the holes and choose the most suitable method of trapping the insects. A pest control company is the best way to deal with a carpenter bee infestation. The staff of such a company can perform an inspection and choose the best method of trapping. Professionals in the field can have all the state licensing, skills and expertise to trap the bees in the best ways.

Carpenter Bee Prevention

While trapping carpenter bees can be a good way to control them no matter how you do it, there are things that you can do before an infestation occurs and also after it has been eliminated. There are preventive measures that you can take, such as treating the wood and maintaining it in the best shape. After you have dealt with an infestation, you need to make sure that the insects will not come back again. The damaged wood should be removed in order to stop attracting new bees to the already made tunnels.

Carpenter Bee Trap Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you kill carpenter bees?

2. How can I build a homemade carpenter bee trap?

3. What is the best way to trap carpenter bees?

4. Are carpenter bee stings dangerous and do they hurt?

5. Where can I buy carpenter bee traps?

6. What is good bait for carpenter bees?

7. How can I get rid of carpenter bees for good?

8. How big should the hole be in a carpenter bee trap?

9. How do carpenter bee traps work?

10. Can you make a carpenter bee trap from mason jars?

11. How can I keep wood bees away from my deck?

Additional Carpenter Bee Resources:

• Carpenter Bees – NC State University Department of Etymology
• Carpenter Bees – University of California Integrated Pest Management Program
• Large Carpenter Bees – University of Florida’s “Featured Creatures”

2 How to Get Rid of Bee’s Nest in House, Wall, or Yard Naturally & Safely

The first and most important thing that we should note is that you should never kill honey bees. They are extremely important to the ecosystem and our food supply. You can get rid of them, but in the case that the bees are honey bees you should first contact a local beekeeper. They may be able to help you with getting rid of your bees for free. This is because the population has dropped by around 3 percent. Beekeepers can take care of bees without using chemicals and other harmful ways. Bee keepers are always looking for a way to increase their population and many will love to take your infestation off of your hands.

Bees

Bees dance to communicate between each other. They also use this form of communication to tell each other where food is located. Bees can be annoying, or even hazardous to us when they build their home near our own home. They build their homes under your porch, eaves and cracks in your walls. Since bees are annoying, and can be dangerous in large numbers, here are some ways to get rid of bees and avoid getting stung. By following these directions completely, you may be able to avoid them returning at a later date.

Getting Rid of Your Bee Problem

The first step you should take is to make sure that you aren’t dealing with wasps. If you decide that what you are dealing with is a bee than here is the next step to dealing with them.

Now you have to find the bee hive. In order to find the hive you should look for them leaving or returning home at dusk or dawn. These are the times that they are most active.

Once you find the hive, the only way to get rid of them is by killing them. You can use Raid to spray in their hive to accomplish this. It is best to do this at dark or in the evening. You can help to protect yourself by wearing sweat pants, gloves, and any other types of clothing to help keep any holes closed. This will help keep the bees from getting to you and stinging you.

Once you have sprayed the hive. Do this a second time the next day to make sure that you have gotten them all. Allow for another day before you check the hive to make sure that you have killed all of the bees.

Now that you have killed all of the bees you need to dispose of the beehive. If you find that the beehive is underground, you need to fill the hole with dirt. This will save you a lot of time and effort in getting rid of your bees.

Bee Killer and Pesticides

Other than Raid, Borax can be used as a pesticide against bees. This is sold as a powder and can be used without having to get near the hive. Borax is taken to the hive when the bees travel back and forth by attaching to them. Since Borax is a sweet powder, bees will willingly land in it hoping that it is pollen from flowers. This is a slow but good method in taking out bees.

If you have small children or animals who play in the area, you should avoid using Borax because it can be toxic to children and animals. Borax will also kill other bugs and insects in the area, so make sure that you do not have a population that you want to protect before using this product.

Natural Bee Control

You can use a 2 liter bottle to create a bee trap. It is in no way going to stop bees but it can help deter some of them. Simply cut the top of the bottle to the point where it is the same all the way down the sides. Staple the top upside down in the bottle. Now fill up the inside of the bottle with soda or juice. This will attract the bees in but make it difficult for them to get out. The majority of the bees will not be able to get out. Since they are trapped, eventually they will become tired and fall, killing them when they fall in the liquid.

Long-term Bee Problem

If you have a bee problem that outlasts being sprayed twice, or you are allergic to the type of bee you have, it is best to call a professional. Professional exterminators know exactly what they are doing when it comes to bees. A professional exterminator will be able to get rid of your bee problem in just a few visits, giving you back important space and removing the risk of you, your family and your pets being stung by your unwelcome visitors.

How A Professional Will Handle the Problem

A professional exterminator will determine what type of bee you have and choose chemicals or pesticides that have a proven track record for getting rid of that particular species. Depending on how large your bee population is, it may take a few visits to either kill off or remove the bee population (depending on which approach is most appropriate for the situation).

0 Bee Hive Removal From Attics, Walls, and Yards

Bees can be dangerous if you have them building a bee hive around your home. They are great little insects, but not right outside your home. They can choose a number of place to start their hive on and it usually consists of areas where there is little movement. They may choose a high area in a tree or in or on your home. They particularly like chimneys that are not being used. They can build their hives in the chimney especially if you don’t have any kind of protective screen over the top or within your chimney to block a hive from occurring. They can get into the walls of your home if there is a large enough opening from outside to start a small hive and eventually expanding into a large one. Other places of choice include bird houses, attic, trash cans, and any opening structure where the bees can get into that isn’t disturbed.

Dangers of Bees

Having bees around are not a bad thing. It is when they start creating and building their hive too close to your home where you can get stung and many people are allergic to bee stings. If they build their hive in your walls they can ruin the structure of your home by pushing the sheet rock. Sometimes they will bring water to soften the sheet rock and expand it for more space for the hive. You will see water stains from inside the home and eventually you will have honey oozing down the walls and possibly ceiling depending on if it is a two or one story home. You can hear the buzzing of the bees before all of this happens so you will know if you have a possible bee problem. As a hive can carry up to 80 pounds of honey you may see a lot of damage occur to your home. They could a cause a health problem too so it is best to get the hive removed as early as possible.

When is the best time to remove bees from your property?

Bees sleep at night and come out during the day time. If you choose to use an insecticide you can choose to use it when most of the bees are gone during the day. This will prevent the bees from returning to their hive and will kill any that are in the hive. Typically during the late Winter or early Spring is the best time to try to remove the hive. Sevin is a good insecticide to use but it will need to be applied several times until they are all gone. When you do choose to attempt to get rid of the hive make sure you wear all of the protective clothing as possible because bees tend to gather together over their hive and it could be more than 20,000 bees. You don’t want to make any attempt to remove the hive when it is this bad. You will need to wear leather gloves, thick clothing, and a beekeepers vinyl . Once the bees are aware that you are trying to remove the hive they can swarm at you to try to protect it and you will probably get stung in areas where you are not wearing the proper attire.

Safe Bee Hive Removal: Getting Rid of Bees Without Harming Them

Call your local beekeeper. They will have the equipment and the knowledge on how to remove these insects without killing them. They can try to remove the hive with the bees and place them safely into the containers that they have available. Another alternative is simply removing the bees by sucking them into a vacuum that is lined with containers to protect the bees until they are later released.

Prevent Future Bee Invasions

In the case that you didn’t remove the hive with the bees, you will want to remove the hive that was left behind as it can carry an odor and attract other bees to start up a hive. Cover up all the holes around the building or home with caulking and screening to prevent the bees from building hives withing the walls, attic, and chimney.

Follow these steps:

• Look for signs of bees
• Locate the bee hive
• Remove the bees by calling upon a beekeeper or remove with insecticide
• Remove the bee hive so no other bees choose to use it
• Screen and caulk any openings around your home to prevent bees from returning

4 How to Get Rid of Bumble Bees – Control & Nest Removal

Chances are you’ve encountered a bumble bee at some point in your life. Because the very sight of them – combined with the potential of their sting – is enough to make most of us seek shelter, it’s easy to forget that they’re considered beneficial insects because they pollinate crops and plants.

Nonetheless, if bumble bees nest close to an enclosed structure, such as a house or recreational area, then it’s a good idea to get rid of them.

What Is A Bumble Bee?

Perhaps best described as big, hairy, black and yellow, bumble bees can range in size from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch. There are around 50 different species of bumble bees in North America. Again, they’re beneficial insects because they pollinate plants and flowers as they forage for food.

One thing to keep in mind about bumble bees is that they’re often mistaken for carpenter bees.

What’s The Difference Between A Bumble Bee And Carpenter Bee?

The best ways to tell the difference between a bumble bee and a carpenter bee is by appearance, location, and activity.

Appearance – Bumble bees have a fuzzy abdomen while the abdomen of a carpenter bee is smooth and shiny.

Location – Carpenter bees build their nests in wood structures. You’ll know it’s a carpenter bee nest by the perfectly round hole they bore into wood.

Activity – Carpenter bees are typically noticed when they are building their nests in wood. Bumble bees do not nest in wood, but instead nest under piles of grass clippings, in abandoned rodent burrows, or under leaves, stones, logs, etc.

Why Do Bumble Bees Sting?

Bumble bees rarely pose a threat to humans when they’re busy searching for food; in fact, they will go out of their way to avoid contact with humans in most cases. But if they’re cornered and sense that they cannot escape, or are defending their nest, they will bite.

Are Bumble Bee Stings Harmful?

Bumble bees stings can produce a variety of reactions, from temporary pain and discomfort to a potentially dangerous allergic reaction. In most people, the swelling and pain go away in a matter of hours. Some people will have a more extensive reaction in which swelling and redness may last for days.

A severe allergic reaction to a bee sting is potentially life-threatening and emergency medical treatment is required. This reaction happens to a small percentage of people. Symptoms include:

• Skin reactions such as hives and itching.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Swelling of the throat and tongue.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• A weak or rapid pulse.

How Do I Get Rid Of Bumble Bees?

Allowing bumble bees to nest in areas where children and pets frequent is not desirable. Moreover, bees have few natural predators (skunks are an exception) and most other animals cannot tolerate bee stings. But there are a variety of methods that can be used to avoid a bumble bee problem:

1. Clean up your yard of any mulch or organic debris that isn’t being used for anything.
2. Remove flat stones, bricks or rocks unless they are being used for decorative purposes. When these objects are removed, check the ground to make sure any holes are filled in. If you are using these items for decoration, make sure they are packed down and have good contact with the ground.
3. Seal all holes in your house or building’s exterior and place tight-fitting screens around all vents.
4. Identify the location of a bee’s nest during the day but only apply pesticides at night when bees are less active. Make sure to wear appropriate protective gear, including a bee veil.
5. Insecticide dust is effective when applied around and into the nest area. These dusts can kill quickly and are often effective for up to six months.
6. Removing a hive will not automatically eliminate your bee problem, because bumble bees leave behind a very strong scent that will attract other bees. Clean the nesting area with strong disinfectants while sealing all openings near it with caulk. A rule of thumb says that if you can slip a piece of paper in a crack or hole, then you need to caulk it.
7. Certain trees and shrubs that attract bumble bees because of their sweet nectar can be removed or treated with insecticides that will repel bees (and don’t harm the plant).