About Bees
While bees are vital to the environment due to their role in pollination, they can become a nuisance when they build hives too close to homes or high-traffic areas. Certain species, like honey bees and carpenter bees, are more commonly encountered in residential areas. Though not as aggressive as wasps, bees will sting if they feel threatened—especially when defending their hive.
Bees are social insects, and like ants, they live in colonies that can range from a few thousand to over 60,000 individuals, depending on the species. These colonies are complex and well-organized, with three distinct castes:
- Queen Bee: The queen is the largest bee in the colony and has the sole responsibility of laying eggs. A healthy queen can live several years and produce thousands of offspring.
- Worker Bees (Females): These sterile females make up the majority of the colony. They perform all essential tasks, including foraging for nectar and pollen, feeding the young, cleaning the hive, and defending it from intruders.
- Drone Bees (Males): Drones exist solely to mate with a queen. After mating, they die shortly thereafter. They do not gather food or participate in hive maintenance.
Although bees are not classified as typical pests due to their ecological importance, hives near living spaces can pose a safety risk. If you discover a hive in or around your home, it’s best to contact a professional for safe relocation or removal.
What do bees look like?
Bees are typically black or brown with yellow, orange, or white markings, depending on the species. They range in size from about 1/8” to over 1” in length. Their bodies are divided into three parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. Most bees have two pairs of wings, six legs, large compound eyes, and straight antennae. Many species, such as honey bees and bumblebees, are covered in fine hairs that help them collect and transport pollen.
Bees breathe through tiny openings along the sides of their bodies called spiracles, and they sense vibrations rather than hearing in the traditional sense. They have specialized mouthparts, including a long tongue-like proboscis for extracting nectar, and strong mandibles for chewing.
Queen bees and drones (males) have wings and can fly, though drones serve primarily to mate with a queen. Worker bees, which are all female, are also winged and do all the foraging and hive maintenance. Unlike wasps, bees typically sting only once, as they die shortly after stinging.
Bees develop through a complete metamorphosis—egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Drones live a few weeks, dying after mating. Worker bees live several weeks to a few months, while a queen bee can live several years. If the queen dies and isn't replaced, the colony will eventually collapse.
What are the unique characteristics of bees?
Bees are best known for their role in pollination, making them essential to both natural ecosystems and agriculture. Most bees feed on nectar for energy and collect pollen as a source of protein for their colony. While some species are solitary, social bees like honey bees and bumblebees live in highly organized colonies with clear divisions of labor.
Bees are incredibly efficient workers. They can visit hundreds of flowers in a single trip, using their hairy bodies and specialized structures like pollen baskets (corbiculae) on their hind legs to transport pollen back to the hive. They communicate primarily through pheromones and a unique behavior known as the “waggle dance,” which conveys the direction and distance to food sources.
Bees are also known for their ability to navigate using the sun and their internal compass. Their strong sense of smell helps them locate flowers and recognize hive mates. Unlike ants, which often follow trails marked with pheromones, bees rely more on visual landmarks and scent to travel between their hive and food sources.
Another unique trait: honey bees produce and store honey as a food reserve, which allows the colony to survive through the winter—a behavior not found in most other insects.
DIY Methods of Bee Control
While the safest and most effective way to manage a bee problem is to contact professional pest control or a licensed beekeeper—especially for honey bee colonies—there are a few do-it-yourself methods you can try to discourage bees from nesting near your home:
- Use natural repellents like peppermint oil, cinnamon, citronella, or crushed garlic. These strong scents may deter bees from hovering or nesting around decks, patios, or entryways. Apply them to areas where bee activity is frequent.
- Seal off potential nesting sites. Bees often build nests in wall cavities, attics, sheds, or under eaves. Repair holes, seal cracks, and use screens to prevent access to enclosed spaces.
- Keep outdoor areas clean. Remove sugary spills, cover food and drinks during outdoor gatherings, and keep trash bins tightly sealed. Bees are drawn to sweet substances, especially in warmer months.
Important:
DIY methods may help deter bees, but they will not remove an established hive. Attempting to spray or destroy a nest can provoke aggressive defensive behavior and lead to multiple stings—particularly with species like Africanized honey bees. If a hive is discovered, do not try to handle it on your own. Contact a professional for safe removal or relocation.