Spring is the season when people in colder climates finally step out of hibernation to enjoy some sunshine. But just as we’re heading outdoors, so are the bees. With warm weather arriving, humans and insects often find themselves competing for the same sunny park bench, picnic table, or backyard deck. Fortunately, a few simple tips can help you understand what bees are up to, share outdoor spaces peacefully, and avoid getting stung.
Make sure they’re actually bees
Before reaching for the bug spray, take a moment to identify the insect. Honey bees and bumble bees have thick, fuzzy bodies, unlike the sleek, shiny appearance of wasps and hornets. As temperatures rise, you might even witness a bee swarm, this happens when a queen leaves her hive, followed by hundreds of worker bees in search of a new home. The swarm may hang in a cluster under a tree branch or roof overhang for a few hours while scout bees look for a suitable location.
Bees are vital pollinators that help grow the food we eat and the flowers we enjoy. So if you see a swarm, try to give it a day or two. Chances are it will move on and settle into a new home, like a hollow tree or other quiet spot, without bothering anyone.
Cap the trash can
Once bees find a place to live, they begin foraging for food. Flowers are their top choice, but they’re also attracted to sugary substances like juice, soda, and fruit scraps. That can turn a casual lunch in the park into a bee buffet if trash isn't properly managed.
The best way to keep bees from hovering around is to practice good sanitation. Keep trash bins tightly sealed, line them with bags, and regularly clean up any spills or food waste. Bees are social creatures and will quickly return and bring more friends if they find a good source of food.
Know when to call in help
If a swarm refuses to leave or a colony sets up shop inside your walls, it’s time to call a professional. A local beekeeper can often safely relocate the hive, while pest control services can help in situations where removal is more complicated. Avoid trying to handle it on your own, especially if the hive is in a hard-to-reach place.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
In the summer months, people love to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Some even venture to farmers markets where the food is cheaper. However, not only do fruits come home with you, fruit flies may too. Once they've gotten acclimated in your home, they might stay all summer. These pests breed quickly, and tend to spread through whatever food you've got around. They also are happy to join in on any meal you have, be it a sit-down dinner or a barbecue in your backyard. Worst of all, like other flies, they carry disease. Consider these tips on how to prevent fruit flies from coming home with you.
