In the wrong location, beehives can cause considerable damage and even be dangerous, but fortunately, they can be removed. Beehive removal can even be a safe procedure for bees, not causing them any harm during the process.
The best way to safely and effectively relocate a beehive away from a potentially hazardous location is to contact a professional. Attempting to remove a beehive without professional assistance may damage the bees, their hive, and the location of the beehive.
When Is It Necessary to Remove Beehives?
It is important to keep in mind that some beehives do not pose a threat to anyone around them and, therefore, should not be removed from their locations. There are times, however, when bees set up hives in inconvenient or potentially dangerous locations, for example, near or inside someone’s residence[1].
A beehive that is located close to a residence must be removed, since it can pose a serious threat to those living there, since the risk of being stung by a bee is very high. Also, humans and pets might harm bees as a result of this.
There is also the possibility of bee allergies, which can be extremely dangerous. An individual with a bee allergy who lives in a house with a beehive nearby may be at risk. It is necessary to remove the beehive in this instance.
It may not be necessary to remove a beehive if it is located close to home but far enough away that humans are unlikely to make constant contact with it. Bees are extremely beneficial to the environment, so keeping them around can be beneficial.
It is not necessary to exterminate the bees when removing a beehive. There are numerous ways for homeowners to safely and effectively remove a beehive in a manner that ensures no bees are harmed.
How to Remove Beehives Safely
Several methods of safely removing beehives rely on the sense of smell of bees, which is a very sensitive sense. There has been evidence that bees dislike certain strong odors, including garlic, vinegar, peppermint, and cinnamon. [2]
Placed near and around a beehive, these scents may cause the bees to leave. These strong scents can have a major impact on bees’ sensitive sense of smell, making them want to stay away from smells.
Citronella is another scent that can affect a bee’s sense of smell. Citronella candles are widely available in stores, so access should not be a problem. If these candles are placed near a beehive, the scent will likely cause the bees to leave within a few days.
Smoke is another effective method of safely removing a beehive, as smoke can confuse bees. This smoke may confuse them, causing them to leave their hive and seek shelter elsewhere.
Bees are not harmed by smoking, as the smoke does not harm them. The downside of this method is that smoke can potentially cause bees to become very aggressive. The smoke is likely to cause the bees to leave the hive, however, removing the hive could still be dangerous.
Calling an expert is an option if someone is serious about removing a beehive safely without harming the bees.
Bee hive removal specialists know exactly how to remove bees in a humane manner and will make sure that the process goes smoothly. A beehive removal service is likely to be the best choice for individuals who do not have any experience removing beehives.
Who Can Remove Bee Hives?
The best option if someone wishes to remove a beehive is to contact a professional. When removing a beehive without experience, you run the risk of injuring yourself as well as the bees living inside the hive.
A number of professionals will be able to remove a beehive for a fee. Alternatively, you may wish to contact a local beekeeper.
Some beekeepers are willing to remove hives, but not all. Additionally, some beekeepers may have restrictions regarding what they are allowed and not allowed to do, such as the fact that they only work with honey bees.
Other companies may only work with hives of a certain size or in an easily accessible location. When in doubt about whether a local beekeeper will safely remove a beehive in a particular area, it is best to contact them and inquire.
It may even be possible to send them a photo or description of the beehive in question in order to determine if they will be able to work with it.
It is possible for some of these beekeepers to remove the hive for little to no charge. For those who wish to ensure that their bees remain alive and protected during the removal process, it might be a good idea to contact a beekeeper.
Why Do Bees Nest Near Peoples' Homes?
The enclosed spaces in people’s homes provide bees with a safe location in which to create their beehives. In these enclosed spaces, a beehive is much more protected from threats than if it were located in the open.[3]
Bees also select enclosed spaces such as houses for making their nests due to the climate. Beehives and bees can be damaged by certain temperatures, especially during the winter months. It is possible for bees to protect themselves from the freezing winter temperatures by housing their beehives in a person’s home
How to Get Rid of Beehives Naturally
It is possible to rid a beehive naturally by using certain smells, such as citronella candle, as mentioned above. There are, however, other natural methods available.
Citronella can be emitted from citronella candles, but it can also be produced by plants. Citronella plants can serve as an effective deterrent for bees. [4]
You can also use mint and eucalyptus plants to get rid of beehives naturally. As a result of these plants’ strong scents, the bees’ sensitive sense of smell will be affected, causing them to leave their hive and move to another area.
How Long Do Beehives Last?
Beehives, if not damaged or destroyed, can last indefinitely.[5]
Despite the fact that bees themselves have a limited lifespan, a beehive will remain until something causes it to disappear, such as being removed or the bees within leaving.
Depending on the season, the temperature, and the amount of work, worker bees can live anywhere from six weeks to six months. In comparison with worker bees, drone bees have a shorter lifespan, with a lifespan ranging from three weeks to three months. A queen bee normally lives for three to five years.
Queen bees are responsible for reproducing and adding workers to the hive. In the event that a queen bee dies, a new queen is chosen. As a result, bees are able to reside in a beehive for virtually as long as is feasible, provided that it is not removed, in danger, or killed.
It may not be advisable to simply wait for a nearby beehive to disappear on its own. It may remain in its location indefinitely if a homeowner does not have it removed.
How Long Do Bees Stay After Their Hive Has Been Removed?
When a beehive is removed, not all bees will be present, so absent bees will return to the area where the hive was originally located.
There may be a few straggler bees remaining around this area for a few days or weeks, but they will not be able to survive without a hive of honeybees.
It is possible to maximize the number of bees in a hive by removing a beehive early in the morning or late in the evening. As many worker bees will be inside the hive during these times, it is unlikely that they will be out working. It is possible to minimize the number of straggler bees by doing so.
How to Prevent Bees From Nesting in the House?
The first step in preventing bees from nesting in a house is to seal any holes or openings leading into the house.[6]
The removal of a beehive from inside a house can be difficult and dangerous, so it may be beneficial to follow these steps to ensure that no bees nest inside the house in the future.
When bees are allowed to crawl into a building, they are more likely to nest inside, where they will be protected from the elements.
The homeowner should inspect the entire house and the area surrounding it for holes and small openings. A beehive can be established through even the tiniest of openings in a home.
Homeowners must clean up any remaining honeycomb that remains after removing a beehive from their property. As honeycomb has a strong scent, it may attract bees, so it is important to remove all of it completely after it has been removed.
Clutter, in general, provides bees with new places to nest, which can attract them. The homeowner should keep the house and surrounding area free of clutter, including dead limbs and large stationary items.
Sources
[1] Greenpest [2] greenmatters [3] ABC Wildlife [4] bugtech [5] Petri [6] DTEK
