With Pennsylvania’s long history in beekeeping, it’s not surprising to find an active bee hive in residential and commercial places across the state.
While some laws and regulations keep beekeeping in check, humans only understand these. Bees can still form colonies and create bee hives under locations like your roof or deck if they choose to do so.
Homeowners should be wary of any active bee hive on their property as ignoring these signs can have a compounding, negative effect. For example, colonies may split and create additional bee hives nearby and eventually take residence in your house. The closer an active bee hive is to a home, the greater the risk it poses to the household.
If your property is currently harboring an active bee hive, some of the dangers you may encounter include:
- Damage to your home’s structure, such as in walls, chimneys, or roofs
- Attract other pests, such as rodents and insects, due to the hive’s odor
- Harm house guests, neighbors, or passersby, which can cause liability issues
- Sting your household if the bees feel threatened
It’s also important to distinguish between a bee hive and a wasp’s nest, as bees are considered endangered insects by many states (not Pennsylvania), so eliminating a hive requires special consideration.
By identifying the signs of an active bee hive infestation, you safely remove them early on and guide bees to another location where they will be safe from harm.
Signs of an Active Bee Hive Infestation
Spotting a bee hive doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an active colony inside. Some have bees huddled inside, while others are dormant. So, how can you tell if a bee hive is currently active? Here are five tell-tale signs you should look for:
1. Increase in Bee Activity
It’s easy to spot an active bee hive during the warmer months as bees will begin swarming your garden in search of flowers and plants to pollinate.
If there’s an active bee hive near your house, you’ll immediately notice an increasing number of bees flying around. In worst cases, you could start hearing their loud and incessant buzzing in and around your property as these bees try to invade your home.
You can simply observe the flight path of these bees to determine the general direction of where their hive is located.
2. Active Nest is Spotted
In some cases, you may not see honey bees flying around. But if you spot a nest on your property, you may want to observe if bees are still using it.
Sometimes, these insects may be going on foraging trips to local flowers far from your home but are building comb or already have their hive built on your property.
From a safe distance, check if you can see some noticeable bee activity, such as bees coming in and leaving the nest.
Bees usually construct their hives underneath a home’s floorboards, inside small holes or cracks in the wall, and in your garden shed or garage.
Remember that it’s always wise not to disturb the hive – regardless of whether bees are actively using the nest or not. The best thing to do if you find a bee hive on your property is to call a professional to do the pest control.
3. Dark Patches on the Wall
Don’t worry if you haven’t found where the actual nest is. An active bee hive can still reveal itself – even if it’s well hidden. Dark patches will inevitably appear on the walls and ceilings if there’s a bee’s nest hiding within the walls. As the honey starts to overflow and seep out of the honeycomb, it will trickle onto the inside walls.
If left alone, the wood above your ceiling or drywall can get destroyed by honey. In addition, this could also attract other insects and pests in your area, which can result in even more structural damage to your home.
4. Strange or Unpleasant Odors
An active bee hive can sometimes emit a distinctive smell that resembles a sweet or musty odor.
As honeycomb ages and honey accumulates, it can ferment and create a stronger smell. Additionally, if bees die within the hive, decomposition can lead to a foul odor.
If you detect an odd smell near your walls, attic, or outdoor structures, inspect for other signs of a possible bee infestation or any other pest presence.
5. Presence of Wax or Honey Residue
If you find waxy deposits, honey drips, or sticky residues near cracks in the walls, under eaves, or around the exterior of your home, it could indicate an active hive. Bees continuously expand their hives, and over time, excess honey and wax can seep out and become visible.
These residues might also attract other insects, such as ants or wasps, worsening the problem. If you notice honey or wax deposits appearing in unusual places, it’s time to investigate further.
In addition to knowing these signs, it’s essential to understand how bee hives work and other significant information so you can better assess your situation.
Where Are Bee Hives Typically Found?
Bees prefer building their hives in sheltered, undisturbed areas with easy access to food and water. Some of the most common locations include:
- Inside walls, chimneys, or attic spaces
- Under decks, porches, and floorboards
- Tree hollows or thick shrubbery
- Inside abandoned structures like sheds or barns
It may take some investigation to spot the source of a bee hive, but by following the signs above, you should be able to pinpoint its location.
Tips to Identify a Stinging Insect’s Nest
It’s very common for residents to confuse honeybees with other types of bees and stinging insects, including wasps and hornets. However, distinguishing between these nests can help you avoid painful stings.
- Honey Bee Hives – Typically found in sheltered locations like hollow trees, attics, walls, or under decks. In rare cases, you may also stumble upon ground bees that nest in the dirt. Their hives are made of wax and have a golden honeycomb structure.
- Wasps’ Nests – Made from a paper-like substance, wasps create hanging nests in trees, under eaves, or inside wall voids. Unlike bees, wasps are more aggressive and do not produce honey.
- Hornets’ Nests – Often larger and round, a hornet’s nest resembles a gray, papery football and is usually suspended in trees or on buildings.
- Yellow Jacket Nests – Nests can be dug underground, in wall voids, or hanging from structures. Yellow jackets are highly aggressive and often defend their nests fiercely.
How Long Do Bee Hives Stay Active?
A bee hive’s state mainly depends on the queen bee’s reign. A typical queen bee lives between two and five years. But the bee colony replaces the queen every two years if her productivity dips very low. Thus, a bee hive can stay active for years as long as there is a queen and a good food source in the area.
When it comes to season, bees are most active in the spring and summer months. Don’t get fooled by the seemingly inactive hive during winter. Most of the time, the bees stay inside to keep the colony and the queen warm throughout the cold season.
What Do Bees Do in the Hive?
Each bee in the colony performs an activity based on its role. Bees follow a strict hierarchical system, which makes them very efficient.
First, the queen bee is the reproductive center of the hive, laying up to 1,500 eggs per day.
Then, there are the male drones whose only purpose is to mate with the queen, dying immediately after mating. Finally, the female worker bees are responsible for every other job, including caring for the queen, guarding the hive, and producing honey.
What To Do If You Discover a Bee Hive
If you find a bee’s nest on your property, the best approach is to leave the hive undisturbed and call in a pest control professional. Removing a colony is not as easy as destroying the hive – it requires a specialized process that often involves cutting through the walls or siding.
Also, let everyone in the household know about the current situation and warn them to stay away from the hive.
It’s also best to find a way to inform your neighbors and passersby about the situation. This way, you can prevent them from getting stung by a bee.
Don’t leave matters in your own hands or completely ignore a bee hive on your property. After finding evidence that a bee hive is present, put your trust in reputable pest control professionals to mitigate the problem. They have the experience and equipment necessary to neutralize the situation and restore the safety of your home.
Do you need help in removing a bee hive? Contact The Pest Rangers below for an instant quote and schedule.
FAQs
How can I tell the difference between a bee hive and a wasp nest?
Bee hives are typically made of wax and have a honeycomb structure, often found in sheltered locations like walls, attics, or trees. Wasp nests, on the other hand, are made from a paper-like material and are usually suspended under eaves, in trees, or inside wall voids.
Are all bee hives dangerous?
Not necessarily. Honey bees are generally non-aggressive unless provoked. However, if a hive is too close to your home, it can pose risks such as structural damage, attracting other pests, and potential stings.
Can I remove a bee hive on my own?
It is not recommended to remove a hive yourself. Bees can become aggressive if disturbed, and improper removal may cause damage to your property. It’s best to contact a professional pest control service.
