Honey bees are fascinating social insects with a complex set of behaviors. One of the most interesting honey bee colony behaviors is known as “swarming.” Swarming is the method used by honey bees to start a new colony.
A swarm is merely a honey bee colony in search of a nesting site. A swarm generally consists of a mated queen bee along with hundreds or thousands of accompanying worker bees. Swarming bees are not normally aggressive and can, in most cases, be approached safely. Unless you are an experienced beekeeper, however, it is best to avoid getting too close to swarming bees. Bees in swarms may, on occasion, sting intruders who venture too close.
Although bee swarms generally pose little threat to people and provide a unique chance to observe honey bee behavior, they can cause problems. When swarms come too close to areas of human activity or frighten people with a fear of bees, they may need to be controlled. Also, in areas where Africanized honey bees are established, it may become necessary to control wild bee swarms.
Using soapy water to control bees
Mix 3/4-1 cup of ordinary liquid dishwashing detergents in 1 gallon of water. Add the mixture to a regular hand-held, pump-up type garden sprayer. Wet the surface of the swarm with soapy water and continue wetting as the outer layer of soaked bees fall from the swarm. Continue wetting the newly, exposed, dry bees until all have been thoroughly covered and drowned. You may want to place a garbage can or similar container beneath the swarm to catch the soaked bees as they fall from the swarm (enhances “drowning” and simplifies removal). You may need to use the sprayer rod to hasten the “release” of “wetted” bees from the swarm surface and the exposure of the remaining, dry bees in the center of the swarm.
Soapy water is a safe and effective way to control undesired honey bee swarms. Soapy water applied in this manner is an effective tactic in “drowning’ honey bees only if they are clustered in an exposed swarm. It is less effective and is not recommended for controlling undesired, established colonies in areas like hollow trees, wall voids, or underground nests. Neither would it be recommended for killing managed colonies where bees are “on the comb”.
Soapy water has been approved for use to control honey bees by the Environmental Protection agency provided that
1) the detergent used for HB cannot be sold as a pesticide, and
2) the treatment mixture of detergent and water cannot be used on edible food and feed commodities.
Commercial insecticidal soaps do not seem to work as effectively as ordinary dishwashing detergents.
Bee swarms should not be killed indiscriminately. Bees are beneficial insects, helping pollinate flowers and vegetables. Unless a swarm is causing a distinct problem and cannot be tolerated, it should be left alone. Most honey bee swarms will leave a resting site within a few hours. Eliminating possible points of entry by bees into buildings and removing other potential nest sites is the best way to prevent serious problems with bees around structures.
Call a professional
If you want to keep bees away while preserving the safety of your family and the bees themselves, your best option is to call Bee Control Services. MDK Services is the best Bee Control Services in San Angelo
MDK Services pest control usually has its own apiary. They take care of these insects to harvest their honey.
Bee Control Services have their expertise and equipment allow them to provide the valuable service of removing bees from your home. Therefore they should be compensated appropriately.
Bee Control Services will remove bees and transfer them to a different area. If you would like to move them from your house to a different corner of your property, they can do that for you.
But if you do not have space for a hive, they can take the bees to an environment where they can thrive, far away from human contact. Bee Control Services are preferable to pest exterminators because there is real value to keeping these insects alive. For more details about MDK Services pest control visit: https://mdkpest.com/ or call 325-658-3498.
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