If you are sitting on your back porch and you all of a sudden notice bees flying overhead, the first thing you think to do is to get rid of the problem. Honey bees should never be killed or “gotten rid of” when they can be safely transported from one area to another. When people learn the importance of honey bees, they often wonder what steps they should take if there is a beehive in their backyard.
When you discover a beehive in your backyard, you have a couple of options. If you have plenty of space and your family is not allergic, you can leave it alone. On the other hand, if there is a beehive that is close to your home, you should always call a professional. Professional hive removers can smoke out the hive safely and move it to another area where the bees are not injured, and you can have a safe backyard.
In this article, we will explain why bees are crucial and why they should be protected at all costs, as well as what steps to take if you discover a hive in your backyard or home.
What to Do if You Have a Beehive in Your Backyard
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While there are various bee species, the honey bee is one of the most protected bees in the country, and for a good reason. Honey bees pollinate flowers, vegetables, and more, allowing us to continue to enjoy delicious produce and beautiful flowers.
If there is a honey bee population in your backyard, you should never try and take care of them yourself. Always reach out to a local beekeeper or hive removal service for help because they can successfully move a hive from your home to their hive with proper equipment and skills.
With a beehive in your backyard, you can decide whether your family is in danger or if it is away from the house, whether or not it can stay there without causing any harm.
One reason you may want to leave a beehive in your backyard is if you live out in the country with a large garden. Honey bees pollinate many flowering plants, so having a beehive that is far enough away from your home will keep your family safe and ensure a successful garden yield.
Another step you can take before calling out a professional is to figure out on what side the bees are entering and leaving. This is especially important if you find a beehive in your home so you can steer clear of their path of going to and from the hive.
Is It Safe to Have a Beehive in Your Backyard
Having a beehive in your backyard completely comes down to how much space you have on your property. If you live in a suburban neighborhood without a ton of space, it is commonly not safe for you or the bees to have a wild beehive in your backyard. If you live in the country and you notice a beehive out on your acreage, you can often leave it alone without running into any issues.
One reason a beehive in your backyard is not considered safe is that many people are allergic to bee stings. If your family is outside and bees are flying overhead, it may be detrimental to the bee and yourself, especially if you are allergic to bees.
Another way you can safely have a backyard beehive is if you created your own beehive to collect honey. The most important factor when you have your own beehive is where you place your beehive and what way the opening is facing. That means you can put the beehive in the corner of your yard where the bees leave and enter on the backside to minimize contact with the bees.
Before installing any beehive, you must contact your local HOA and your neighbors for approval. Educating your family on the importance of staying away from the bees is also a crucial step.
If any of your family members are allergic to bees, it is recommended to call backup to come and safely remove the beehive for you and your family’s safety.
How to Prevent Bees From Making Hives in Your Home
Bees are highly intelligent creatures and will send worker bees to scout new places to create a hive. These worker bees have a unique way to measure the space and report back to the others the size of an area and if it will fit their hive.
To seal off bees from finding different areas of your home or backyard as a prime spot for their hive, you should be vigilant in sealing up any holes you find. A shed with a hole in the top makes a perfect spot for bees to come and go and create a large hive.
When bees search for their next hive location, they only need a quarter of an inch, so even a tiny hole can be a perfect location for a bee population. Bumblebees and honey bees are endangered, so if you can prevent them from going into an unsafe place, you will reduce the need for removal later.
Can I Use Insecticides on Bees in My Backyard
No, it is illegal to use insecticides on honey bees because of how crucial they are to so many vegetable and fruit plants. While insecticides are illegal, another reason not to use insecticide spray is that it will often anger the rest of the beehive, and they will try and defend themselves.
Should I Kill the Bees in My Backyard
If there are bees in your backyard, killing them should not be an option to get rid of them. Honey bees and bees, in general, pollinate so many plants that provide us with food and are crucial for the formation of fruits and vegetables we enjoy every single day.
Instead of killing the bee swarm in your backyard, you should always reach out to a professional that is trained in the ability to move the bees from one place to another. If a hive of bees decides to move to another area or they have outgrown the area they are in they will typically form a swarm. Within this swarm are all of the bees of the colony gathered together to protect the queen inside.
If you see any bees, especially a swarm, you should always steer clear of them. More often than not, a bee will sting something when it is provoked or when, why think their queen is in danger. If there is a bee near you, simply move away or turn on a fan to keep them away from the area. Bees are small yet highly intelligent creatures, and if a human hand headed toward them, their first instinct will be to protect themselves.
Conclusion
Uncovering a beehive in your small backyard or even your home is not a great feeling, especially if someone in your family is allergic. While to some, honey bees seem to be a nuisance, they are actually a crucial part of the development of many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy every day.
Bees are often one of the main pollinators that pollinate many of the foods we eat, so they should never be killed because they are in the wrong space. Thankfully there are professional hive removers that will come and move a hive safely. This is a beneficial step for both you and the bees because it helps both of you to move the bees to a safer spot.
