How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House
How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House: A Step-by-Step Guide
Finding a buzzing, active beehive attached to your home can be startling, to say the least. Not only is it a potential threat to your family's safety, but it can also cause structural damage if the colony gets established inside walls or attics. If you are searching for practical advice on How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House, you've come to the right place. We will walk you through safe, effective, and often eco-friendly removal strategies.
Before you grab that ladder or spray can, remember that bees play a critical role in our ecosystem. Our primary goal here is to remove the hive safely and, whenever possible, non-lethally. Let's get started on tackling this fuzzy situation.
Step 1: Identify What You Are Dealing With
The first and most crucial step is determining if you have bees, wasps, or hornets. This distinction significantly changes the removal method required because bees are generally protected and non-aggressive unless provoked, while wasps and hornets are more defensive and rarely relocated by professionals.
Look closely at the nest structure and the insect's appearance. Honeybees typically build large, waxy combs inside sheltered areas. Wasps and hornets usually build grayish, papery nests. If you see yellow jackets (a type of wasp), they often nest underground or in voids, making removal more difficult.
Key Differences Between Bees and Wasps
Understanding these differences will help you decide if calling a beekeeper or an exterminator is necessary when figuring out How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House.
- Bees (Honeybees): Rounder, fuzzy, yellow and dark brown or black. They die after stinging. They are beneficial pollinators.
- Wasps/Hornets: Sleeker, smooth, narrow waists (like a tiny torpedo). Often brightly colored (yellow and black). They can sting multiple times.
If you confirm it is a honeybee hive, your priority should be humane removal.
Step 2: Safety First and Necessary Preparation
Never attempt to remove a hive during the day, especially if it's large. Bees are most active during daylight hours. Wait until dusk or dawn when the majority of the colony is inside the hive and activity is low. Proper protective gear is non-negotiable, even if you are just assessing the situation.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Opt for thick clothing, long sleeves, gloves taped securely to your sleeves, and a face veil or protective goggles. The goal is to leave no exposed skin.
- Keep Children and Pets Indoors: Ensure everyone in your household is safely away from the area during the removal process.
- Avoid Perfume or Scents: Strong smells, including highly scented soaps or colognes, can agitate bees.
- Have an Exit Strategy: If things go south and the bees become agitated, know exactly how you will retreat indoors quickly.
Step 3: Choosing the Best Removal Method
When considering How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House, you essentially have two main options: calling professionals or attempting a non-chemical DIY method. For any large, established colony, professional help is always recommended.
Professional and Non-Lethal Removal
The safest and most environmentally responsible option is contacting a local beekeeper or a specialized bee removal service. These professionals have the tools and expertise to safely extract the entire colony and relocate it to a farm or apiary where they can continue to thrive. This method is crucial if the hive is located inside a wall cavity, as extermination in this location can lead to serious problems.
When a hive is killed inside a structure, the remaining honey and wax will inevitably melt, causing sticky stains, attracting secondary pests (like rodents and ants), and potentially damaging drywall. Beekeepers know how to remove all the comb and seal the entry point effectively.
DIY Methods for Small, Exposed Nests (Use Caution!)
If the hive is very small, new, and easily accessible (e.g., hanging from a tree branch or under an eave), you might consider a DIY approach, but proceed with extreme caution and only if you are certain it is not Africanized honeybees, which are highly aggressive.
Using Smoke or Citrus Repellents
Smoke can disorient and temporarily calm bees, making them less likely to sting. Beekeepers often use a smoker to mask the alarm pheromones released by disturbed bees. You can try gently blowing non-toxic smoke (like from burning wood chips, not chemicals) near the hive entrance at dusk. This may encourage them to relocate naturally, though it is not a guaranteed removal solution.
Similarly, bees dislike strong citrus smells. Spritzing a mixture of water and strong essential oils (like lemon or peppermint) near the hive location might deter small scout parties from establishing a permanent colony, but this method is ineffective against an established hive.
Trapping or Netting Methods
A "one-way exclusion trap" is a common method used by professionals and can sometimes be purchased for DIY use. This trap is attached directly to the hive entrance. It allows bees to leave the nest but prevents them from re-entering. The worker bees eventually die out or find a new home, and the queen cannot leave. This requires patience, as it can take several weeks for the colony to fully dissipate, and it must be done carefully to ensure the queen is addressed.
Step 4: Post-Removal Clean-Up and Prevention
The job isn't finished once the bees are gone. Clean-up is essential, especially if the hive was inside a wall. If any comb or honey residue remains, it will attract other pests and scouting bees, potentially leading to a re-infestation.
Sealing Entry Points to Prevent Future Issues
Once you have successfully learned How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House, you need to ensure the bees don't simply move back in next season. Bees are attracted to locations where other bees have nested due to residual scents.
- Remove All Residue: Scrape away all remaining wax and honey. Use a mixture of bleach and water or strong detergent to thoroughly clean the area where the hive was located.
- Repair and Seal Voids: Inspect your home's exterior thoroughly. Fill any cracks, crevices, or small holes (larger than 1/4 inch) in siding, eaves, and foundations with caulk or copper mesh.
- Cover Vents and Openings: Ensure all chimney caps, vents, and attic openings are covered with fine-mesh screens to prevent access.
- Use Bee Repellent Plants: Planting bee-repellent species like mint, citronella, or basil around your home may help deter them from scouting your exterior walls for nesting sites.
Conclusion
Dealing with a beehive on your property requires patience, proper gear, and a solid plan. While small, exterior nests can sometimes be managed with great care and DIY exclusion methods, the safest and most effective strategy for an established hive—especially if located inside your home's structure—is always professional, non-lethal removal by a beekeeper. By taking proper steps, you can successfully figure out How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House while still respecting these vital pollinators and keeping your home protected from structural damage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I just use pesticide to get rid of the beehive?
- While pesticides can kill the colony, this is highly discouraged for several reasons. First, most honeybees are protected. Second, killing the bees inside a wall cavity leaves thousands of dead bees and melting honey, which can cause significant structural damage, unpleasant odors, and attract other pests like mice and ants.
- When is the best time of day to remove a beehive?
- The best time is late evening (dusk) or very early morning (dawn). At these times, the majority of the worker bees have returned to the hive, and their activity levels are significantly lower, reducing the risk of being swarmed.
- How much does professional bee removal cost?
- Costs vary widely depending on location and the complexity of the removal. A simple, exposed hive removal might cost $150–$300. However, if the hive is inside a wall requiring demolition and reconstruction (cut-out removal), costs can range from $500 to $1,500 or more.
- Will the bees return if I don't seal the entry point?
- Yes, absolutely. Bees leave behind strong pheromones and scents that attract scouting parties from other colonies. If the entry point is not cleaned thoroughly and sealed immediately after removal, you risk having a new hive establish itself in the exact same spot very quickly.
How To Get Rid Of Beehive On House
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