The State of Texas is home to a number of stinging pest species. There are multiple species of wasps, hornets and bees found throughout the state. Depending on the type of species that are found around your home will determine the type of control that is necessary. A-Tex Pest Management will cover the basics about stinging pests and how they can be controlled.
Stinging Insect Identification
Most stinging pests such as wasps, hornets and bees are a summer pest with early activity beginning in the spring. Bees, wasps, and hornets share many similarities that can make them difficult to identify. Each species have different methods for controlling them. For example, many bees require relocation versus control, especially the honey bee which is on the endangered species lists. Some species, such as wasps, can be exterminated. Many of the stinging pests are considered a protective species and are necessary to our ecosystem. However reports from the National Pest Management Association claim more then half a million people visit the emergency room each year due to stings. This makes all stinging pests an unwelcome guest around your home and yard.
How to Prevent Bee Hives & Wasp Nests
Bee and wasp protection begins with prevention. Hornets, wasps and bees usually will create new hives in early or late spring, depending on the species. It’s during this time you will want to remove wasp and hornet nests. Look around the corners or eaves of homes and around porches, decks, and patios for early stages of nest building. For both social wasps and hornets, the queens will rebuild their hive each spring, thus making a small safe haven for her and a few of her eggs. Once those egg hatch and mature, they become the workers. They will continue to build the hive making it larger over the summer. Most queens will be deterred if her nest gets removed one or two times. When this happens she will look for safer areas to make her nest. This is why it is important to remove the nest in the early stages of development. If you wait too long, the workers are active. At this stage you can expect aggression from both wasps and hornets.
Bee Hive Relocation & Wasp Nest Removal
Bees have a much different behavior. During the winter season the workers and queens huddle together inside the hive, staying warm. They will only leave to relieve wastes. Some leave the hive when they are about to die. Once a hive becomes established, a young queen is reared. The old queen will leave her the hive. She’ll take about half of the colony and go look for new flowering grounds that are suitable to start building her new hive. Like wasps and hornets, new hives can occur in early to late spring. Most bees like to build their hives in high tree tops, in brush, or even in the cracks of tree trunks and wood structures. You may even see a traveling bee cluster where the queen may take a rest near or on your home where a bunch of bees are clustered tightly together. Don’t panic! Wait to see if the bees move on as in most cases they do. If they begin to build a nest or hive, contact a professional pest control to safely and properly remove the bees for relocation.
Bee & Wasp Hive & Nest Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
If you need help identifying which stinging pest you have swarming around your home or yard, contact A-Tex Pest Management for proper action. For all your pest control needs, contact A-Tex Pest Management today!