As a homeowner, you expect that you have to know a little about plumbing, a little about landscaping, and the basics about appliances. But here's one thing you may not have realized is an important topic for homeowners to be aware of honey bees. You don't have to become a beekeeper, and you don't even have to become an expert. However, since bees live everywhere and are quickly becoming endangered, it's good for you to know the basics about these critters and how to help them. Learn those basics below.
Do you need to get rid of honey bees on your property?
If you find honey bees on your property, first ask yourself whether they really do pose a threat. Many people assume that bees are dangerous and need to be gotten rid of, but this is not always the case. Honey bees are quite tame and won't come after you or sting unless you threaten them. If they have a nest in a tree at the back of your property, you can likely just leave them there and be aware of their presence. You only have to do anything about them if they're somewhere you frequent — such as on the porch — or if their nest is doing damage to your property.
What should you do if the bees do need to be removed?
If the bees have built a nest somewhere dangerous or inconvenient, do not spray them with insecticides! Honey bees are dwindling in numbers these days, and if their populations decline any further, plants will have trouble getting pollinated. What you need to do is call a company that offers honey bee relocation services. They will come to trap the bees, remove the nest, and take the bees to a place where they can live without bothering anyone. Depending on the company, this may be an established honey bee farm, or it could be somewhere in nature.
How do you keep the bees from coming back?
The bees that the relocation company removes won't come back to your property; they'll be relocated far enough away that they won't be able to find their way back. However, you may want to take steps to keep new bees from moving into the site of the nest. If there's a hole in the structure where the bees built their nest, plug it. If there are a lot of flowers near your home, move the flowers to the back of your property where the bees can pollinate them without bugging you.
Every homeowner needs to work together to protect honey bees. The take-home message is this: relocate them. Don't kill them.
For more information, contact a honey bee relocation expert today.