Bees, Wasps, and Hornets are, for the most part, a very beneficial group of insects. Bees are the major pollinators of flowering plants, and wasps and hornets are predators of many other insect pests.

However, these insects do not belong in or around our buildings, and at some time or other most homes have probably experienced some sort of Bee, Wasp, or Hornet problem.

Apart from the obvious stinging hazard (this insect group accounts for about 30% of all reported deaths due to insect stings), species, like the carpenter bee, can cause significant structural destruction.

Occurrence Of Bees, Wasps, & Hornets In Western New York

Bees, wasps and hornets are common in urban, suburban & rural areas of Western New York, presenting you with the highest potential for being stung from June through September. Their many different species may be characterized as 'social' (meaning that they live in colonies) or 'solitary' (meaning that they live independently).

Social Bees, such as honey bees and bumble bees, generally form natural hives in hollow trees and other cavities, although some species also form underground nests (a common stinging hazard when disturbed lawn mowing or children playing). Hives may also be formed on walls, or in the eves of homes. Bees may generally be identified by their bulky, hairy bodies, and the fact that they leave their barbed sting attached to their victim, which causes the insect to die following it's attack.

Social Wasps, such as 'Yellow-Jackets', naturally nest on tree limbs, under rocky overhangs etc., but they may also choose to nest inside your homes structure, gaining entrance through tiny openings. They often also form their paper nests around your home, in sheltered places such as under lights, under decks, in shrubs, in underground rodent burrows, etc. These insects are the most common cause of multiple stinging incidents. They may be recognized by their slender bodies, lack of body hair, and the fact that their smooth sting is not left behind in their victim.

Social Hornets naturally build their nests under tree limbs, but may also build them under beams in barns or other easily accessed structures. These insects are similar in form to wasps, except they are usually much larger, and some species are predators of wasps.

The most common Solitary species include the carpenter bees, cicada killers, digger wasps, mud daubers, potter & mason wasps and spider wasps. 

Bee, Wasp, & Hornet Life Cycles

Bumble Bees and Yellow Jackets are annual insects that complete their life cycle in one year. Only the pregnant queens survive over the winter, becoming active with the warmer weather. Honey Bees are perennial, with the whole colony surviving over the winter. 

Bee, Wasp, & Hornet Activity & Hazard

The activity of social species such as yellow jackets in or around your home is easily detected due to the large numbers of insects continuously leaving and entering the nest area. Solitary species like the carpenter bee are less obvious (this species is most commonly detected by the damage that it causes).

Regardless of species, if one of your family members accidentally disturbs an insect nest, the risk of suffering multiple stings is high. For some people this can be deadly.

In general, bees only present a stinging threat to humans when disturbed or threatened. However, yellow jackets are aggressive scavengers that are attracted to picnics, sweet drinks, etc. and may be easily prompted to sting during their normal foraging activity. Control of foraging wasps is essentially impossible, since there are no safe chemicals available that can effectively repel them. Traps are available, but you should be aware that although these may make you fell better, the number of insects caught is essentially inconsequential in reducing the threat to you and your family.

An Effective Bee, Wasp & Hornet Protection Plan For Your Home

Bee, wasp and hornet problems are difficult to solve, so the reputation of your pest control company and the services that they offer should be heavily factored into your purchasing decision.

Good Riddance will remove your bee infestations, and hanging wasp or hornet nests thereby immediately eliminating any risk that they may pose to your family or home. We eliminate yellow jackets that are embedded in your home's structure by injecting a formulated dust into their entry hole. The wasps then transport the dust into the entire nest site where it eliminates them at their source.

The key to successfully eliminating Bees, Wasps and Hornets is locating and then selectively treating their nests directly. Good Riddance diagnostics include:

• Human Inspection – we can detect where insects are entering your home and the frequency of their travel up the same path (the first thing we do)
• Listening Devices – we can accurately locate pest activity inside wall cavities and other parts of your building's structure
• Boroscope – allows us to see inside wall cavities and locate insect colonies
• Chemical Treatment - applied through the entry holes eliminates the colony and helps prevent re-invasion.

Your Personal Sting Prevention Plan:

A number of steps can be taken personally by homeowners to reduce the potential for future Bee, Wasp or Hornet problems:

1. In early spring or late fall, use caulk to seal up the tiny gaps that allow insects access into your building's structure.
2. Minimize the time that food or drink is left openly available to scavenging yellow jackets.
3. Be careful when working around nests in sheltered areas such as in bushes and trees adjacent to your home.
4. Be careful when entering your attic or opening up hollow walls inside your home.

    

   If You Have A Bee, Wasp Or Hornet Infestation Do Not Delay
   The Health Of Your Family & Your Home's Structure Are At Risk!
   Call 716-824-2847 For Guaranteed Prompt & Professional Action

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