If you spend even a little bit of time outside in the warm weather, you will likely see a few bees. These essential pollinators play a pivotal role in your neighborhoodās ecosystem, and some (for example, the honeybee) are even protected by law. However, this does not mean that bees cannot cause issues at your home. In fact, bee removal is one of the most common tasks that many professional pest control services perform.
Bees can cause significant structural damage to homes if left to their own devices. They might not come inside and steal food like other pests, but if they make your home their own, you might quickly start to see the (expensive) consequences. Here are some of the biggest challenges bees might pose to your structure if a large colony moves in.
How Hives Harm Houses
Bees typically live in hives, though there are some exceptions. The shape, size, and texture of these hives can vary, from paper-like balls to the stereotypical sheets of honeycomb. If you notice one of these forming on your home or business, the best thing to do is act promptly, before it has time to grow.
A hive may only look like it weighs a pound or two, but it can be much heavier than you realize. Large colonies with plenty of honey can build hives reaching almost 100 pounds, and all that weight will be pulling on whatever structure it is attached to. Hives are commonly found on gutters, soffits, eaves, attics, and other vulnerable areas where such weight can weaken or even tear down important structures. The issues compound when moisture exploits vulnerable openings and leads to mold or rot.
Destruction for Safety
Not all bees build honeycomb hives. Some, such as carpenter bees, prefer to make their nests inside wood. To do this, they must carve out tunnels, and carpenter bees often choose homes or businesses with wooden siding or structures. Food is typically plentiful near human homes, and the wood is often soft and easy to infiltrate.
A few tunnels might not seem like a severe issue, but if they weaken structures such as porches or siding to the point of collapse, the bill could easily reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. A homeās wooden elements are often some of its most important for structural integrity and safety.
The Call for Pests
Bees might seem intimidating thanks to their stingers, but they are prey insects. It might seem appealing for other animals, such as squirrels, to eat the bees you have been so worried about, but there is an issue with this idea.
The more bees you have, the more secondary pests will flock to your home for a steady meal. Those pests can cause problems on their own, such as chewing through attic insulation or wiring and making nests in your homeās eaves, which can cause further damage.
Moisture and Leakage
Some bees make honey, and some do not. Regardless of which type you are dealing with, the hives they create can still be moist due to humidity build-up (though, this issue is accentuated when a liquid such as honey is present). If a beehive is attached to your home, it can impede the free flow of air, potentially causing mold to form in the area.
Mold can be hazardous to human health and can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. However, mold can also weaken a homeās structures or contribute to wood rot, which may compromise the integrity of the building. Leaking honey or wax can further damage the area, making it difficult to clean and restore.
Donāt Hurt the Honeybees!
The ecosystem depends on honeybees, and their populations is dwindling due to changing climate conditions and local influences. If you have a beehive on your property, get help from a professional pest control company rather than spraying the hive with insecticide. Not only is doing so dangerous, but it may also violate local laws regarding the proper management of bee problems.
Many cities (and entire states) have rules to protect valuable honeybees. In some cases, professional bee removal is necessary to relocate the bees to a safe location without harming them. Depending on the type of insecticide you were planning to use, doing so may also be illegal (if it contains neonicotinoids).
Book Your Bee Removal Expert Today
Bees can be fun to watch as they flit from flower to flower, their fuzzy legs coated in valuable pollen that keeps flowers and fruits blossoming each year. However, if they decide to make your home their own, you could be on the hook for significant costs to repair structural damage. Contact Spartan Animal & Pest Control to remove large bee colonies from your property the right way.
