Crush Bugs Bee Removal

Despite their venom and occasional threat in or around buildings, honey bees are extremely beneficial insects because of the important role they serve as pollinators of many agricultural crops. Honey bees are kept in hives by beekeepers and rented to growers for crop pollination. The honey and beeswax are both useful commodities and are extracted from the hives.

When bees do become a threat in or around a home or other structure eliminating the bees becomes a top priority. Continual honey bee flight to and from a hole in the building is an indication of a nest. It is also possible many times to confirm bee activity by listening for bees buzzing inside. Crush Bugs still recommends using an experienced beekeeper if bees are located in an easily accessible place such as a hollow tree, but often bees are living in building walls, attics, or are tucked away where they are impossible to reach and may be a threat to people. Destroying the bee nest is also the only option if bees appear overly aggressive which may indicate they are Africanized honey bees.

Africanized honey bees have now been in Florida for quite some time and they are physically indistinguishable from European honey bees but exhibit a much more aggressive nature especially when their nest is disturbed. Tests have shown that Africanized honey bees become alert to disturbances and prepare for colony defense much quicker than Europeans. Africanized honey bees also cause 6 to 10 times more stinging than Europeans and will continue to attack for longer periods of time and at much greater distances from the nest or hive. The Africanized honey bee nest is generally smaller than its European counterpart and their nests are often built in exposed areas such as drainage culverts and under highway overpasses.