How to Get Rid of Bumble Bee Hives
More than 200 species of bumble bees exist in the world. Of those species, 50 thrive in the United States. As the primary transporters of pollen, bumble bees perform a crucial role in the pollination of flowers. Many people consider bumble bees to be pests, but, in most cases, the presence of a bumble bee hive is not an issue. Bumble bees steer clear of humans whenever possible. They sting only when they feel their hive is being threatened. If the hive is in a busy area of your yard, the bumble bees can become a problem.
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Things You'll Need
- Long pants
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Face mask
- Hand bellows duster
- Pesticide dust (containing bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos or boric acid)
- Trash bag
Instructions
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Wait until dusk or nighttime to remove a bumble bee hive. Bumble bees are most active in the daytime. You are less likely to get stung if you remove the hive after sundown.
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Wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeve shirt and heavy-duty gloves. Tuck your pant legs into your socks to prevent angry bees from flying up your pant legs. Put on a face mask.
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Fill the hand bellows duster two-thirds full with pesticide dust. Approach the nest slowly, and insert the end of the hand bellows duster into the hive. Compress the bellows to blow the dust into the hive. Once the pesticide is emptied, refill two-thirds of the way full and repeat immediately.
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Leave the area while the pesticide kills the bumble bees. Check the hive in a few hours to listen for bumble bee activity. Apply more pesticide to the hive if you can see or hear bumble bees in the hive.
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Put on heavy-duty gloves. Remove the hive from its location, and dispose of it in a heavy-duty garbage bag. Be certain the bumble bees are not alive before handling the hive.
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Tips & Warnings
If you get stung, treat the stings with over-the-counter insect bite ointment.
Remove all children and pets from the area before removing a bumble bee hive to prevent them from being stung.
If you are unsuccessful at killing and removing bumble bees, call a bee removal specialist.
Bumble bees leave their hive in the winter. Remove any remaining hives during this time.
Never attempt to remove a hive if you are, or even suspect you are, allergic to bees.
References
- Photo Credit Bees hive in creek image by Gail Ranney from Fotolia.com
