Bees and Wasps

Bees and wasps are valuable insects, although they are usually associated with pests because of their stinging nature. Wasps, especially, can become a terrifying problem when they disturb outdoor activities. Frequently, people have categorized all flying-stinging insects as “bees.” Even though they are both related to the order of Hymenoptera and have similarities to some extent, bees and wasps differ in many ways. Wasps appear to have a thin narrow waist line. Bees lack this narrowing of the abdomen. In addition to their differences, bees feed nectar and pollen to their young (larvae), while wasps feed their larvae other insects. Yellowjackets and hornets also scavenge food including sweets, meats and fruits. It is vital to distinguish between these insects because different methods may apply when trying to control them if they become a problem.

Bee and Wasp Control

One of the important elements of wasp and bee control is to destroy the source, which is the nest. Aerosol bee and wasp sprays can be used to effectively take down bees/wasps around the nest, however applying small amounts of dust/powder pesticides directly into the nest will provide better control. In some cases, the attempt alone to destroy a nest can potentially become a health risk. Did you know around 100 people die every year from bee and wasp stings? Majority die due to allergic reaction to the venom of the sting. Close to 1 percent of the nation’s population is allergic to bee and wasp venom. Those who are allergic should always carry epinephrine injection kits at all times, especially during the summer. Be careful! However, if a nest resides near humans posing a stinging threat, especially those of social species, it must be taken down immediately. The nests of honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets, wasps and hornets should always be approached with caution. Heavy clothing or a bee suit should be worn during an attempt when taking down a nest. The best time of year to control bee and wasps is in June after the colony has been established and while the colony is still in the beginning stage of construction. In addition, the best time to control bees and wasp is during the night, when they are less active. If a nest is not discovered until Fall, attempting to control the situation will be unnecessary as freezing temperatures will destroy the colony naturally.

Bee & Wasp Control Products

• Aerosol Bee & Wasp Spray
  Obtain a bee & wasp killer projectile spray (ensuring a 15-20 feet gap when apply). This will allow plenty of room to make a quick getaway if needed.
• Bee & Wasp Dust/Powder Pesticides
  Pesticide dust, aka insect dust, is a fast acting dust that can be injected in the nest for treatment.

Bee and Wasp Nest Removal

Bee and Wasp nest removal or getting rid of bees and wasps is a fairly simple process. At the entrance of the nest, apply aerosol bee and wasp spray into the opening during a late evening (refer to label directions). If you do not see any activity the next day, the extermination was successful. If activity is still noticeable, then repeated day-to-day treatment should be applied until they are all dead. If there is direct nest access, a dust/powder pesticide is recommended. If possible, injection of the material into the nest should suffice in treatment. It may be necessary to drill into the structure to facilitate the injection. Use extreme caution when performing bee and wasp control from a ladder. Contact us if assistance is needed.