Pest Control – The Plight of the Bumblebee
Over the last few years, bees have become one of the most celebrated insects in the world. There is even a World Bee Day, marked on May 20th which has been adopted by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of bees.
Why are Bees Important?
Solitary and social bees are essential pollinators, and as such are a vital part of our ecosystem. There are other methods of pollination, such as wind and birds, but bees are able to pollinate on a much larger scale. Bees pollinate one third of the food we eat, and 80% of flowering plants, including fruit and vegetable crops. It has been estimated that it would cost UK farmers £1.8bn per year to pollinate crops manually, therefore bees perform a critical and cost-effective role in maintaining our food supply.
Identification
There are 270 different bee species living in the UK. 25% of which are sadly endangered, with some species on the brink of extinction. Causes of the decline in bee numbers include climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides. Due to the importance of bees and their depleting population, great care should be taken to identify bee types if you feel you have a bee problem and are considering taking action.
Are Bees Protected by Law in the UK?
Whilst the internet is a wonderful resource, there is a lot of confusing and incorrect information out there. You may read that bees are protected by law and that their nests cannot be treated, however, this is a popular misconception; bees are NOT a legally protected species. However, most ethical pest controllers will not treat a bee nest unless it poses a serious threat to human health.
Pest Problem & Control – Bees are Best Left Alone
As bees do not pose a risk to your property and will generally only sting if they are provoked, colonies can usually be left to do their essential job as ace pollinators. After the summer months, bees tend to leave their nest and do not return to the same nesting site the following year, therefore, if possible, it is always best to leave a bees nest in situ.
Relocation
If bees are posing a serious risk to the health and well-being of humans living and/or working in close proximity to a nest, action may be required. Here are Avon Pest Control we work closely with local Midlands beekeepers to help relocate bees and their hive should nest relocation be necessary.
Pest Control Advice : Consult a Professional
It is important that you do not attempt to remove or destroy a bee nest yourself. Attempting to use an insecticide may result in poisoning a non-target species. Additionally, if bees feel threatened, they will likely swarm and sting. A professional service will have experience in dealing with bees and have the correct protective equipment to work safely.
For bee identification and advice, give Avon Pest Control a buzz today on 01926 632 929 or 01789 293 463 or click here to visit or website for more information.
COVID-19: We are currently operating with Strict PPE Controls on Essential Work for Your Safety.