How To Get Rid Of Bees Safely
Bees play a vital role in an ecosystem – they produce honey and, most importantly, are excellent pollinators. While most honey bees may seem harmless when collecting honey, they sure can sting when disturbed or agitated. Bees nesting in your property (in the house, chimneys, on a tree branch, etc.) can, and do, present a risk, especially if/when disturbed. Unless you tolerate bees or are a beekeeper, it would be advisable not to encourage bees nesting on your property. Outlined below are a few tips on how to get rid of bees safely.
1. Smoke Them
This is one of the oldest yet effective ways of repelling and getting rid of bees without necessarily killing them. While a simple smoky fire from cardboards will do, dry citronella, peppermint, or eucalyptus leaves will be more efficient. You, however, should do this from a safe distance and ensure you are adequately covered before taking on them. This method is mostly recommended for bees nesting on a branch or in the chimney.
2. Use Moth Balls
Mothballs are effective bee repellants as well. They produce an unappealing smell to bees, causing them to fly away or seek shelter elsewhere. Simply hand the mothballs all around the house and the property as well. If possible, hang a couple near the bees’ nest at night when bees are most inactive. The smell from these balls should help repel and even deter bees from coming back to your property. Good quality mothballs can produce the fragrance for days, or even weeks, making the area unfavorable for bee populations. If your property has been attracting colonies of bees lately, placing moth balls strategically all over the property and house might help repel them.
3. Use Vinegar Solution
Vinegar provides a simple and easy way to repel and even get rid of bees from your property. It is, however, worth noting that vinegar will kill some (if not most) of the bees, a reason you might want to try other methods first. That said, mix equal amounts of vinegar and water in a spray-bottle and spray the solution in areas bees are more likely to perch on, such as plants in the garden. Next, wait until the bees are docile (at night), then spray the solution directly on the next. This method will come in handy if there are colonies nesting in your house, especially the attic or chimneys. Be sure to sweep and remove all dead bees in the morning after the rest have left.
4. Call A Professional
The best and guaranteed way of removing bees from your property is to have an expert do it. A professional beekeeper can help remove all the bees in your property (nesting ones) without putting anyone at risk. If this option isn’t viable at the moment, then your best bet is on a pest control expert. Pest control experts are professionally trained and have the right gear needed for the job, providing bee hive removal service. You can either have the bees relocated to a safe habitat or eliminated. This, however, depends on the level of infestation in your home.
Be sure to look into several pest removal companies before hiring one to help get rid of bees on your property. A simple search, verifying their license, and browsing through recent customer reviews and testimonials should help you make a more informed hire.