Bees are a vital part of the ecosystem—they pollinate over 100 varieties of crops, such as fruit trees, common grains, and almonds. However, they’re best appreciated from a distance, especially since bee stings can be painful and cause an allergic reaction in some people. The guide below explains what pest control steps you should and shouldn’t take to deal with a beehive on your property.

Do:

Stay calm.

It can be unnerving to find out that a thriving beehive has cropped up under your nose, but the hive doesn’t pose a threat to you or your family unless you purposely agitate it. Until your pest control company can arrive, stay away from the hive and teach your children to not go anywhere near it.

Know the difference between a hive and a swarm.

When a colony grows too large, they begin raising a new queen in preparation for a hive split. When the new queen is ready to fly, roughly half of the hive will leave in search of a new home.

While some bees are sent to scout for a new home, the rest will remain on a tree, telephone pole, or possibly the outside of your home. This swarm will usually move on within a few days, so you don’t need to panic. Only call a pest control expert if the bees have started forming a hive with wax since this indicates they’re fortifying to stay in a location permanently.

Don’t:

Use pesticides.

In most cases, bees are docile creatures just looking for the next flower to collect nectar from. They sting primarily as a defensive measure when they feel someone is threatening them or their hive. Using pesticides doesn’t just kill vital pollinators, but it can also aggravate the bees, and they may retaliate by swarming you. Additionally, legislation in your area may prohibit certain pesticides to protect pollinators.

Leave space for a new hive.

Once a beehive is removed, the space they formerly occupied will have lingering pheromones that can attract other bees. If you don’t take precautionary measures, you could find yourself calling a pest removal company again to take out a new hive. If the hive was in the walls of your home, fill the space with insulation and caulk any openings. However, if the hive was in an empty tree or stump, fill in the hollow hole with soil or have it removed.

Whether you’re dealing with honeybees, wasps, termites, or ants, the experts at Acme Pest Control Co Inc can help. For over 70 years, they’ve protected homes throughout Concord and Charlotte, NC, from insect and rodent infestations. To learn more about their offerings, visit them online, and call (704) 786-4166 for a pest control consultation.