Bee Pest Control – Here’s How You can Tackle any Bee Pest Control Problem in Britain Today!

Bees Avoidance & Management

Bees are a particularly important insect; they pollinate a third of the food we consume and 80% of flowering plants, making bees the UK’s most predominant pollinators.

Without bees, it is estimated UK farmers would need to spend £1.8 billion each year on manual crop pollination.

A combination of habitat loss, intensive farming methods, and climate change has resulted in a decline in bee populations over recent years, and rising concern over how this will affect crops and our ability to feed our growing population.

This has led to many campaigns aimed at saving bees and confusion around how to manage bees nests within UK law.

Contrary to popular belief, bees are not a protected species and can be treated.

Whilst they are not protected, they are endangered; here at Avon Pest Control we believe other avenues should always be explored, and eradication only considered if the nest poses a significant health and safety threat.

We recommend taking the following steps if you have bees on your property.

Bee Identification

There are over 200 species of bees in the UK, some of which can be easily confused with wasps due to their similar shape.

Before taking any further steps, try to clarify the insect type you are dealing with.

If the Insect is bothering you for your sugary drink, it is most likely a Wasp and Not a Bee!

• Hairy or bald?
  • Bees tend to have a covering of little hairs which aids pollen gathering.
  • Whilst wasps are usually smooth and shiny.
• Food sources
  • A bee’s diet consists of nectar and pollen produced by flowers.
  • Whilst wasps eat insects and sugars.
• Colour
  • Bees have black and golden/orange stripes.
  • Whilst wasps have black and very bright yellow stripes.

Let them Bee

Bees will not sting if they are unprovoked and ignored, and they will not cause damage to your property.

Many bees have a short nesting period, for example the bumblebee nests from between a few weeks to around 3 months.

Colonies formed in spring tend to naturally decline mid-late July, and most bees leave the nesting site at the end of the summer season and do not return to it the following year.

If possible, simply leave the colony to go about their business.

However, sometimes relocation is necessary due to health and safety concerns, e.g. Anaphylaxis to bee stings.

Bee Pest Control & Prevention is Better than Cure

Take preventative measures to reduce the chances of bees nesting on or in your property.

• Bees need flowers for sustenance.
  • Consider growing leafy plant varieties,
  • Avoid fragrant trees and plants.
• If you like flowers in your garden
  • Plant mainly double flowers.
  • As single blooms are more appealing to bees.
  • Doubles are too elaborate and are largely ignored by bees when foraging.
  • Avoid purple flowering plants.
    • Bees see purple more clearly than other colours.
    • Plants such as Lavender and Buddleia are very attractive to bees.
• Consider purchasing or making a fake bees’ nest.
  • A grey bag hung under roof eaves or a porch can act as an imitation nest.
  • This gives the impression of an existing nest and discourages the construction of more bees’ nests.
• Stay vigilant
  • Keep an eye out for increased bee activity in mid-spring.
  • Early detection makes relocation a much easier process.

For professional advice, information, and removal/treatment pricing, call Avon Pest Control today.