How to Get Rid of Bees in Attic For Good Without Killing Them
The world cannot survive without bees. According to the latest bee statistics, these standout insects pollinate 80% of plants throughout the globe, including 90 food crops. While they’re great outdoor animals, they’re not ideal housemates.
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When you get the chance, get rid of bees in attic settings. There are ways to do so without contributing to their dwindling population. Read on to discover how to achieve a win-win situation where you save your home from disease and protect the world by freeing more bees.
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What Kind of Bees Live in Attics?
When most people think of bees, they think of honeybees. However, there are actually several different types of bees that can make their homes in attics, including bumblebees and carpenter bees.
While honeybees are social creatures that live in large colonies, bumblebees are more solitary, only coming together to mate. Carpenter bees get their name from their ability to drill circular holes into wood in order to create nesting cavities.
Why Bees Love Attics
Before bees nest, they look for a place to keep their colony safe from elements and predators. They prefer deep, dark spaces. For these reasons, your attic naturally attracts them. The elevated location secures their territory and lets them build honeycomb on walls.
Once bees enter your home, they often only need three days to build ten hive frames. Don’t be surprised if you discover up to 150 pounds of honey and comb in your attic.
Are Bees in an Attic a Problem?
Many people are surprised to learn that bees are often found in attics. While these insects are not typically aggressive, they can be a problem if they decide to make their home in your attic.
In addition to the buzzing sound they make, bees can also cause damage to the structural components like trusses. They can also damage insulation and electrical wiring. If you find bees in your attic, it is best to contact a professional beekeeper to have them removed. With proper care, bees can be safely relocated without harming them. However, if left unchecked, a bee colony in your attic can quickly become a problem.
Signs of Bees in the Attic
There are three common signs of a bee infestation: unusual bee activity, an active nest, and dark patches around your attic. Let’s go through each one in more detail.
- Unusual bee activity: Have you recently started seeing many bees around your home? If you feel like they’re coming from all directions, you probably have a colony somewhere inside.
- An active nest: If you see a nest inside your home or out on the lawn, you likely have an infestation on your hands. These structures can pass through walls, doors, and floorboards.
- Dark patches: Another sign of a bee infestation is the emergence of mysterious spots on your walls and ceilings. Once bees nest in your attic, it means there’s honey nearby. Some of it will seep out of the honeycomb and onto your home’s structure.
How To Get Rid of Bees in the Attic
Usually, it’s best to catch animals that get inside your attic, release them back outside, and prevent them from entering your home again. The same principle applies to bees, but as they swarm by the thousands, the process becomes more complicated.
It’s best to call professional beekeepers to get rid of bees in attic settings without killing them, but you can also try a few products if you want to do it on your own. Check out some of them below:
Beekeeping Hive
If you can catch the queen bee safely, relocate her to an artificial hive, where the other bees should follow. Once you trap them, you can release them to a safe place, like a community garden.
Carpenter Bee Trap
You can use this product on carpenter bees when the infestation is in its early stages. It mimics the scent of a natural nest, which helps you capture them and move them to a secure location.
Beekeeping Smoker
If you can secure all the entry points to your attic from the walls, you can smoke the nest to force the bees to exit your home. This process shouldn’t harm them. However, if you don’t do it right, the bees might turn aggressive and fly toward you.
How To Prevent Bees From Entering Your Attic
Once you get rid of bees, the next logical step is to prevent them from re-entering your attic. Here are a few practical tips to achieve such a goal:
- Inspect your property for construction gaps or other entry points that allow bees to get into your attic.
- Blue, purple, and yellow flowers naturally attract bees. If you want to plant them, keep them as far away from your house as possible.
- Cover spots that allow bees to invade, like a shed or an outdoor grill.
- Remove dormant hives from your property.
- Try home remedies like peppermint plants, cucumber peels, and cinnamon.
Final Words
Bees may be beneficial to the world, but they can harm your home and health. The sooner you can get rid of bees in your attic, the better.
It’s best to work with professional beekeepers to transport these busybodies, but you can try a few products and prevention techniques to secure your property.
More Animal in Attic Removal Guides
Attics are often overlooked spaces that attract all sorts of critters. Fortunately, there are a number of natural ways to get rid of them. Check out some of our other Animal in Attic Removal Guides to learn more:
- Bats – Read guide
- Birds – Read guide
- Mice – Read guide
- Rats – Read guide
- Possums – Read guide
- Raccoons – Read guide
- Squirrels – Read guide
- Snakes – Read guide