bees
While bees can benefit the environment in many ways, it is inconvenient and possibly dangerous to let a bee hive thrive near or within your home.
If you have a problem with bees, contact a local Bee Keeper or Environmental Health Department as they will be able to arrange for the swarm to be relocated if possible, unfortunately sometimes that is not the case depending on the hive's location and pest control will be needed. Bees usually sting if handled or caught in clothing but are also known to viciously defend their nests if disturbed.
A bee hive within a wall cavity seen while treating the house next door
A colony size can often be greater than 30,000 individual honey bees
Bee stings are barbed and if stung, the stinger will stick in the skin and tear away from the bee. This kills the bee, but the venom contained in the barb continues to pump venom through the sting, so it should be removed as soon as possible. Most Bee stings cause intense local pain and swelling. However, if a victim is allergic to bee venom seek medical attention.
Bees are around 13mm in size with short wings, all bees are hairy, a crucial trait for pollen collection. Flowers and flourishing vegetation often attract bees, and there is no insect as important as the bee when it comes to pollination.
A colony size can often be greater than 30,000 individual honey bees. They create hives in hollow trees or in chimneys, wall cavities or roof spaces.
These highly social insects live in large hives dominated by a single queen. The queen is larger than workers or the male drones and is responsible for egg laying and for controlling the hive using pheromones. The majority of the hive is made up of worker bees that build and maintain the hive and collect nectar and pollen to feed the developing bee larvae.
We have more photos of Bees & other pests taken on site on our Facebook or Instagram page!