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Identification.

The honeybee is not a native to the United States. It was introduced during colonial times. Honeybees are highly social insects and communicate with each other, relaying direction and distance of nectar and pollen sources. Bees construct wax combs placed side by side that provide a space to rear young and store honey. Bees are very hard working creatures with a very rigid social order.

The bee colony lives on the stored honey throughout the winter; therefore, the bees can live for years. Colonies kept by beekeepers yield an average of 50lbs of honey. Unlike other bees, honeybees do not hibernate during cold weather.

When colony populations are high, the queen may move the colony to a new nesting site. Bees swarm at this time, usually finding hollow trees to begin their new colony, but they occasionally find their way into building wall voids.

Damage they cause.

A honeybee colony in a building wall can become a major problem. The bees can chew through the wall and end up inside. The storage of large amounts of honey attracts other bees and wasps. Stored honey can absorb moisture and ferment or overheat without adult bees to tend it, causing strong odors. Their waste buildup, dead bees, shed larval skins, wax caps from combs and other material, attracts carpet beetles and moths.

Bee control & bee removal in Atlanta, Georgia

When a honeybee colony is found in a building wall, it must be killed and removed. Killing can be accomplished in the same way as killing yellow jackets in a wall void is done. The location of the nest in the wall and the entry point into the wall must be identified to assure that the whole colony is treated.

After the colony is dead the nest must be removed. If the nest is not removed, the wax combs will melt and allow honey to flow down through the walls. Honey stain can never be removed; the walls will have to be replaced. As well, the freed honey attracts other bees, wasps, insects and animals. The comb wax will attract wax moths that may persist for several years. After the colony is killed the entrance hole should be sealed properly to prevent future problems.

Removing honey bee nests from wall cavities is a time-consuming, labor-intensive practice that should only be performed by a professional. If you are experiencing a problem with honey bees in the greater Atlanta area feel free to contact Urban Wildlife Control for help.

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