Bees can build hives in many different locations, but it is not difficult to tell whether a hive is active or not. Just like the old adage, bees are very busy creatures and do not stay in their hives for long periods of time. Workers and scouts will emerge and fly around the hive throughout the day. All you have to do is observe the hive, and if you do not see any bees after watching it for a couple of days, then it has most likely been abandoned.
Although we usually think of beehives as large, balloon-shaped objects hanging from tree limbs, they can be built in a variety of shapes and sizes and be located just about anywhere around your home or yard. The most common places to spot beehives are under the eaves of your home, inside of nooks and crannies, in trees, underground, in walls and in siding.
It is important to positively identify a beehive before taking any action. Many people confuse wasps’ nests with beehives, but wasps build nests that look as though they are made of gray paper whereas beehives are usually brown or tan honeycomb structures.
While you may be afraid of bees, they are beneficial to the environment and plant life, so they should never be exterminated. The best solution is to call a professional pest control technician who has experience with bees. An experienced technician can relocate the hive to a place where the bees will do no harm but continue to pollinate flowers, fruits and vegetables.
Once the hive has been safely relocated, you can go about your daily activities in peace and with the knowledge that you did something good for the environment while protecting yourself and your family.
