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Bees are very important to our food supply; cross-pollination is necessary for many plants to fertilize and grow. Still, the insects can be a major annoyance around the house. There's nothing worse than a bee sting, and many people have allergic reactions to them.
The good news is that there are some specific things we can do to keep bees away and deal with them if they do pop up. The best way to avoid bee stings is to never have bees around the house to begin with, so if you see them on your porch or backyard, it's time to take action. (See also: Use Beer to Get Rid of Pests)
The best thing to do is to get a beekeeper to take the bees away. In most cases, they'll do this as a free service (they want bees!). Check your area for a local beekeeper. If there isn't anyone who will take them away, you can always call an exterminator to do the job for you. But if you're careful, you can take care of the problem yourself for little cost.
How to Get Rid of a Beehive
With the wind at your back, simply spray insecticide directly at the beehive, ensuring that it makes contact with all the bees. The best and least risky time to spray a beehive is during the day when all the bees are out looking for nectar, because you're least likely to get stung. Some say that spraying at night when all the bees are there is a good time because you know they'll get hit with the insecticide. Insecticide products can spray up to 25 feet and kill on contact, so spraying in the evening when the creatures are home is definitely an option.
The next day, spray the insecticide again, and after a few days, if you don't see any bees in or near the hive, you've successfully killed them.
How to Keep Bees From Returning
Killing the bees or destroying their nest while they are away can be just a temporary solution if you don't take the proper steps to make it last.
In order to keep the bees away, you must fully destroy the nest. If the bees built a nest in a crack or hard-to-reach spot, you should block it off with cement or sealant so they can't reach and continue using it.
How to Handle Wasps and Hornets
Unfortunately, bees aren't the only pests that can ruin a picnic. Hornets and wasps are other creatures that should be taken care of if they're flying around the house. Techniques for dealing with wasps and hornets are the same as for dealing with bees, except that you can't call a beekeeper in on these guys. But a can of wasp, hornet, and bee spray (and some good running shoes just to be safe) should do the trick.
Bees, wasps, and hornets can be very distracting and frustrating to deal with. However, having these nasty creatures at home doesn't mean you're stuck with them forever. These steps can help get rid of bees around your house and let you enjoy your summer bee-free!
