Bumble Bees

Bumble bees are big, fuzzy insects recognized by almost everyone by their robust shape and black and yellow coloration. The common species are 3/4 inch in length or more. Bumble bees usually nest in the ground in a deserted mouse nest or bird nest. Occasionally they nest in cavities within a wall or even in the clothes drier vent. If the vicinity of a bumble bee nest can be avoided, then leaving them alone and waiting for them to die in the fall would be the preferred "management" option. However, bumble bee nests are often found in yards, flowers beds, wood piles, or walls in high traffic places where the threat of being stung is great.

Trapping bumble bees is not practical and exclusion techniques may not solve the problem. When controlling bumble bees is necessary, using insecticides to poison bee colonies is the control method of choice.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Bumble Bee problem?

Leaf Cutting Bees

These bees (also called mason bees) are a little smaller and similar coloration of the common honeybee. They are darker though in color and have light yellow bands on their abdomen. They differ from the honeybee because they are not aggressive, are not social and do not normally sting.

Adults live 2-3 months in hot weather and can lay 30-40 eggs. Females do all the work themselves. This includes finding and preparing the nests, and collecting the food necessary for the young larvae to overwinter in a cocoon (looks like a small cigar) that she builds out of leaves nectar and pollen. They build their nests in soft rotting wood and small canes that are easy to bore into.

They don't eat the leaves of plants but do cut holes in them and sometimes cut them off to use in their egg cases. Usually the worst that can happen is that your plants, especially your roses and bougainvillea will look unsightly. In rare instances some plants, if unhealthy, will die because of the damage. Some years leaf cutting bees can kill many mature plants. Roses and lilacs are the most likely candidates for leaf cutters but sometimes other ornamentals are targets as well.

Leaf Cutting Bees are also known to cause damage to foam roofing products. The surface of these roofs seems to be ideal for the laying of the bee's eggs, and as a result of their activities, both the waterproofing and insulating capabilities are compromised.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Leaf Cutting Bee problem?

Africanized Honeybees (AHB)

The Africanized Honeybee is about 1/2-inch in length, and appears golden-yellow with darker bands of brown. Some specimens appear a darker brown than others. Most importantly however, they are virtually identical to the European Honeybee. Africanized honeybees (AHB) are actually a subspecies of the European honeybee, and the two look exactly the same. Only an expert making numerous microscopic measurements can tell the two apart. The difference, however, becomes readily apparent in the aggressiveness of the AHB when its colony is disturbed, hence the nickname "killer bees." The AHB releases an alarm pheromone that calls all the workers to "battle". They will attack and sting any moving animal or object. They will chase and sting people for hundreds of yards and have been known to sting people and pets over a whole neighborhood block. Deaths may occur due to allergic reactions when a large number of stings are received. It may take hours for the bees to settle down and return to the colony. Other honeybees will attack and sting for a few minutes and then settle down rather quickly. Since one cannot tell the difference between AHB and other honeybees simply by looking, all honeybees in areas where the AHB are active should be viewed with caution. Once having arrived in the United States, the AHB has become established from Texas to Southern California. Colonies have also been discovered in Florida and a few other southeastern states, but these have been quickly eradicated. In the wild, honeybees most often nest inside cavities of trees. They will also nest within caves and cracks in rock formations. Occasionally, a colony will decide to nest inside a crawl space, an attic, a wall void, or a chimney in a home.

Because the Africanized honeybee cannot be distinguished from its native cousins without detailed scientific measurements, any honeybee nest or swarm found in southwestern states should be respected at a safe distance. In the interest of safety, we consider all swarms and colonies to be Africanized! Only experienced pest management professionals should be contacted to deal with colonies or swarms of honeybees. Never attempt to treat such nests without the proper training and equipment. Once the colony inside a wall or attic has been eliminated, the building owner will need to open the wall and remove all the honey and honeycomb. If not removed, the honey will rot, produce strong odors and seeping stains, and will attract other insect pests.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Bee problem?

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