How You Can Prevent Stings This Spring

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How You Can Prevent Stings This Spring

How You Can Prevent Stings This Spring

During spring and throughout summer we receive calls from worried people about finding stinging insects on their properties. Sydney’s Best Pest Control use trained technicians in removing hives and nests safely to minimise the risk of stinging not only the customer but also the technician.

Hives can be found in places no one would expect, inside wall cavities, chimneys, hanging from trees and hanging from ceilings just to name a few.

Often we are asked how we would prevent bees or wasps creating hives.

  • Limit flowering plants. Bees and wasps are attracted to nectar found in flowers.
  • Avoid leaving leftover food from BBQs or picnics outside
  • Avoid eating sugary foods outside
  • Keep food covered tightly
  • Wear closed toed shoes
  • Avoid bright colour or floral patterned clothing
  • Inspect the exterior part of your property for first signs of hive making

Bees play a very important role in the pollination of flowering plants. They are the major type of pollinator in ecosystems that contain flowering plants. Bees will either focus on gathering nectar or gathering pollen depending on the supply-demand at the time.  It is estimated that one-third of the human food supply depends on insect pollination, most of which is accomplished by bees.

It is unfortunate that the bee population over the past few years have decreased dramatically and without the work of the bees, many food crops that we depend on in life will become unavailable if the bee population continues to decrease.

This is why Sydney’s Best Pest Control has implemented chemical free bee removal. This process safely removes the bees and the honeycomb. However please note that because every removal is different in that the approach is dependent on the varying circumstances.

Swarm Removal

  • Swarms are often found hanging in trees or on fences.
  • A bee vac is used to suck the bees into a screened box and removed.
  • The captured bees are transported to a bee farm.

Formed Colony Removal

If a colony has already formed, there are 2 methods for removal.

Method 1 – Trapping

Trapping is a method used when physically creating an opening in the structure is not feasible such as a brick or stone structures

A conical shaped one-way trap over the main entrance is created which blocks off any secondary entrances.

  • The bees are able to leave the hive, but cannot return
  • Food supply is reduced
  • The size of the colony is reduced
  • Trap hive is placed near the conical trap and is baited with a queen bee.
  • Bees begin to gather in and around the trap hive.
  • Bees accept the trap queen and establish a new colony in the trap hive.
  • The trap hive begins to thrive, and the original colony becomes very weak.
  • At this point, the conical trap is removed.  which means the bees are able to renter the hive and  nectar or honey.
  • Once the trap hive removes the remaining nectar and honey, the entrance can be seal.

The benefits of this method are that there is minimal damage to the structure (minor stapling of funnel, caulking, and screws) and excess honey and nectar is removed. This process can take up to 12 weeks for completion.

Method 2 – Cut Out

The cut out method is the physical removal of the bees and all comb, This method has proven to have the best results, to prevent future bee hives.

  • Hive is located
  • The opening in the wall or ceiling needs to be opened to expose the entire nest.
  • A bee vac is used to suck the bees into a screened box.
  • The wax comb is cut out in sections and mounted into wooden frames
  • The cavity is scraped clean
  • The exterior entrance is sealed off.

The benefits of this method are that all remnants of the colony are removed and it usually can be done in less than 4 hours.

Chemical Treatment

In the circumstance that chemical free bee removal is not an option our technicians treat the hive with chemicals. The hive is not removed at this stage, as bees tend to return to their hives and whatever bee enters the hive, dies as the chemical is present in the hive.

Sydney’s Best Pest Control does not recommend taking matters into your own hands and attempting to remove a hive using information from the internet or DIY kits. This can be dangerous and you risk harm to yourself, your neighbours and your pets.

For more information about bee or wasp removals or any other pest control service contact Sydney’s Best Pest Control on 1800 819 189