This time of year bees are swarming and many people become concerned. If you see a large mass of bees balled up and hanging from a branch or attached to a wall, that is a swarm. The old nest got too large and the queen probably took off with some workers to find another home. These bees are generally harmless unless disturbed. They are in transit and will move from the area once they find a
suitable home. To prevent them from nesting near or in your home, seal up all holes and voids
in brick or stone walls, siding, eves, roofs, and trees. If you feel you need to kill them, you can mix one cup of liquid soap to a gallon of water. Spray them with a fine mist until all the bees drop down. The soapy mixture is so concentrated that it clogs their pores, killing them. However, once they are dead, you will need to rinse the soapy mixture off of any desirable plants.

If you have noticed them buzzing around more frequently, you may have an established nest in your area. If you have located it, the best control measure is to call a pest control operator to treat the nest. They have the proper equipment and training. Make sure to ask them if they have bee experience.

Many people are aware of Africanized bees. Although they are called "killer bees," their venom is no more deadly than a regular honey bee. They are just much more aggressive and easily agitated. They have spread throughout more than one half of the state of Texas, so we are no longer recording where they are found. Also, the only way to identify the Africanized gene is through DNA testing or by a honeybee expert. Photo: texasento.net

Bee keepers are experienced and are a good source to call for bee removal if you are reluctant to kill them. But they must be licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board in order to legally charge for bee removal. Ask if they are licensed, and if not, call another. If the bee keeper removes the bees, and does not charge, that is legal.

For more information visit http://honeybee.tamu.edu/ or contact IPM Program Specialist and Entomologist, Molly Keck at 210-467-6575 or email at mekeck@ag.tamu.edu

Molly Keck
Integrated Pest Management Program Specialist.
3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212
210/467-6575
mekeck@ag.tamu.edu