We would like to start off by saying that bees are a crucial species in our world. They provide the pollen that helps plants flower and grow! The problem is that when a colony of bees makes the decision to build a hive near your home, they can become a danger to your family and friends, especially if the hive is ever disturbed.
Why is this a problem? It’s because bees can be voracious defenders of their hives. They are a bit less aggressive than hornets or wasps but will attack a potential threat without hesitation. A bee nest in your yard can be problematic if you have small children. People can be highly allergic to bee stings too, and living near a colony can be life-threatening.
Types of Bees
Bees are flying insects that are very closely related to ants and wasps. Most bees live in colonies consisting of drones, workers, and a queen. There are many types of bees, and it’s important to note that not all of them are aggressive. In fact, some are very docile and will not bother unless disturbed. Some species of bee don’t even have stingers!
Honey Bees
The honey bee is the type of bee that most folks encounter. They are yellow and black, have slender bodies, and are often confused with hornets or wasps. They are not typically aggressive but will swarm around a perceived threat and use their stingers to protect the hive.
Carpenter Bees
The Carpenter bee is a large, hairy bee typically seen flying around solo rather than in a large colony. Carpenter bees do not have stingers, but they will fly around aggressively to intimidate any perceived threat.
Carpenter bees bore into wood to lay their eggs, leaving large oval holes. They are known to damage homes and other wooden structures around your property.
Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are very similar to carpenter bees but tend to be smaller with fine hairs all over their bodies. Bumble bees do not bore into wood like the carpenter bees. Instead, they prefer to nest underground. They do not have stingers but may bite if provoked. The bumble bee is not much of a concern unless they set up a nest in a high traffic area near a home or business.
Africanized Honey Bees
These bees resemble the standard honey bee but carry with them a whole lot of anger issues. They will defend their nests viciously and guard a territory much larger than your average honey bee.
Africanized bees are a lot more aggressive and are often referred to as killer bees. They laugh at the standard honey bee. They attack in huge swarms around threats with only one intent…sting to kill. They are also known to chase after a perceived threat for long distances. Run human. Run.
Here are a few tips if you ever find yourself under attack by the Africanized honey bee:
- Run. Proceed as quickly as humanly possible to some form of enclosed and stable shelter. They will wait on you, so hunker down and be patient.
- Do not jump in the water; it offers you no protection. These bees will wait until you come up for air and then attack.
- If you do get stung, remove the stingers as quickly as possible. They continue to pump venom even after the initial sting.
- Seek medical attention right away.
We would like to close with this. Bees are a huge benefit to our environment in many ways, but it can be very dangerous, and even deadly, to let a bee hive thrive near your home or business.
That said, it is crucial to properly identify the particular type of bee living near your home or business. Bees can be mistaken for wasps due to their similar physical characteristics, and they can be harmless or deadly depending on the type. Effective treatment relies upon proper identification. The only way to rid your home of bees is to remove the hive entirely. This is a challenge and requires the proper tools, strategy, and expert to do it safely and successfully.
