Bees In The Wall Or Tree - SEMBA

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Every year beekeepers are called upon to give advice regarding the removal of honey bees (and other insect pests) from homes and buildings. Such advice is difficult to give because each case requires first hand information, and no two responses are alike. Often, a great deal of coordinated planning is needed. Just remember that there is no Pied Piper of Hamlin that can wave a magic wand or play a magic flute to draw the insects out of their hiding place.

Although many of the observations and suggestions provided are specific to situations found in Michigan, much of this information is general enough that it would apply to any area of the United States.

The following information is designed to give guidance about what needs to be done to accomplish honey bee nest removal and what considerations should be given when choosing a course of action. Properly completing a honey bee nest removal may involve a beekeeper to remove the insect, a carpenter to dismantle/reassemble the wall, and/or a licensed pest control company to eradicate the insects if removal is impractical. Keep in mind that you might also call an electrician or a plumber if safety or accessibility is an issue.

Honey bees are valuable pollinators. In the United States approximately 1/3 of our food crops benefit either directly or indirectly from honey bee pollination. The destruction of honey bees should be a last resort, if possible.

What should the homeowner do?

First, identify the insect. Identification of the insect or its nest can provide valuable information needed to assess the situation. The solution to the problem can be quite different for each species of insect that takes up residence your home. For example, bumble bees typically will not nest in a wall cavity, but often find suitable nesting in materials such as insulation, foam pads, and/or seat cushions. Yellow jackets will build their paper nests in wall cavities, holes in the ground, or in the attic (or crawlspace) of your home. Honey bees like the protection of wall cavities, especially in older homes that lack insulation between the wall studs.

Here are some tips to help you decide whether you have honey bees or some other insect:

• If you see the insects flying from the entrance of the nest cavity in the spring (April to June in the north), then honey bees are a real possibility.
• If you can find a dead insect, check to see if it is hairy. All bees have hairs while yellow jackets are smooth. Pictures on the Internet or in insect identification books may be helpful in making a determination.
• If you can see any part of the nest, it may help with the identification. Honey bees build honeycomb out of wax. Other stinging insects use wood fiber to build paper nests, or they may use mud as a building material.
• A licensed pest control firm may have the resources to help you identify your insect problem. There may be a cost for this examination.
• You may find a beekeeper to help identify the insect in question.
• Take a digital photo and send it to the SEMBA