If you find a bee nest on your property, you might wonder if you should leave it or call for help. The choice depends on three things: where the nest is, what species it is, and the risk to your family.
Honeybees, bumblebees, and other pollinators play a crucial role in supporting healthy bee populations in Michigan, but they can become a nuisance when they nest near human dwellings.
Sometimes it’s best to leave a hive alone. Other times, professional removal prevents stings and protects your home. Pest Pros of Michigan helps homeowners in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and nearby areas choose the safest option for their home.
Key Takeaways
- Decide based on nest location, species, and safety risks.
- Honeybees and bumblebees help the ecosystem; wasps and hornets pose higher risks.
- DIY sprays often fail and can lead to more stings.
- Call a beekeeper for honeybees or a pest control professional for wasps and yellowjackets.
When It’s Safe to Leave a Bee Nest Alone
Not every bee nest is a pest problem. Many honey bees and bumble bees choose quiet spots, like a hollow tree or a shed, where they don’t bother people. These bees support local crops in Michigan, including blueberries and cherries. If a honey bee colony is tucked away and not near people, it’s often best to leave it.
Beekeepers often encourage leaving natural nests alone when they’re out of the way. A honey bee swarm on a tree branch usually moves on once it finds a new home. If the nest isn’t in your soffit or walls, leaving it alone protects the bees and avoids needless disruption.
When Removal Becomes Necessary
Sometimes the choice to remove a bee nest or not is clear. If bees build inside a soffit, wall, or attic, they can leave behind honeycomb that attracts other pests. As the number of bees increases, daily activity near the nest can become unsafe. For homes with young children or those with severe allergies, safety comes first.
A swarm of bees near a doorway or deck can quickly turn into an infestation. Honeybees are usually gentle, but bumblebees defend their nests when disturbed. In these cases, remove the nest safely before it causes more problems. A local beekeeper may relocate a honey bee colony to an apiary, while a pest control company can manage nests in structures.
How to Tell if It’s Bees or Wasps
Many people mix up honey bees with wasps, hornets, or yellowjackets. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right next step. Honeybees and bumblebees have hairy bodies and are pollinators. Wasps and hornets have smooth bodies, can sting many times, and build papery nests.
A wasp nest under your deck or yellowjackets nesting in the ground can be dangerous. Unlike bees, wasps do not produce honeycombs or contribute significantly to pollination. A licensed pest control company should handle these pests.
Risks of DIY Removal
DIY nest removal or store-bought sprays often fail to provide effective results. Without protective gear, you risk multiple bee stings. Spraying pesticide products can harm beneficial bees and still leave honeycomb in the walls. DIY attempts can harm bees without fixing the problem.
Instead, contact a local beekeeper if you suspect honey bees, or call pest control if you’re dealing with wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets. Professionals can safely remove nests, relocate honey bee swarms, and treat aggressive insects without risking your family.
Why Professional Pest Control Is the Best Choice
Pest management experts can identify the types of bees or stinging insects before taking action. At Pest Pros of Michigan, we inspect nests and recommend bee removal, wasp treatment, or prevention based on your situation. We also know how to address carpenter bees that burrow into wood or prevent new queens from establishing nests in spring.
When necessary, we work with local beekeepers to relocate a honey bee hive or honey bee colony to a safe new home. Our technicians wear protective clothing and employ professional methods to safely remove nests in soffits, attics, and walls.
Choosing a trusted pest control company ensures that the infestation is handled correctly, with minimal risk to both people and bees.
Making the Right Choice for Your Michigan Home
Bee nests don’t have to take over your yard or home. Whether you’re dealing with honey bees, bumble bees, or stinging insects like wasps and hornets, the right solution depends on quick, safe action.
Pest Pros of Michigan offers trusted stinging insect control services across Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Southwest Michigan, providing both humane relocation and pest treatments tailored to your specific needs.
Contact us today to schedule your inspection and reclaim your space.
FAQs
Can I leave a honey bee hive in my yard?
Yes, if the honey bee hive is far from high-traffic areas, it may be safe to leave it alone. Honey bees are valuable pollinators that support local crops and the ecosystem.
Who should I call for bee removal in Michigan?
For honey bee colonies, call a local beekeeper to relocate the bees to an apiary. For wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets, contact a pest control company like Pest Pros of Michigan.
Do bees reuse old nests?
Honey bees often move to a new location, while wasps and hornets build new nests each year. Preventive pest control helps keep new queens from nesting in the same area.
