ABOUT BEES.

Bees are most active during the warmer months of the year, from, early spring to late summer. They invade houses in order to establish new colonies and shelter. Scout bees will fly around a building, looking for entry points. Usually these are holes in the mortar of brick walls, in ventilation holes (weep holes) and under tiles on roofs, etc. They do not fly far from a previous colony and it is not unusual to see a swarm of bees settle onto a house in just a few seconds.

This is why bee jobs are considered to be an emergency as many people are allergic to their stings, some severely. They are not naturally aggressive except when defending an established hive. People normally get stung by bees when they step on, lean on or pick them off their clothing. Walking within their flight path can agitate them, as will fast and jerky movements near the hive.

Pest Control of Bees:

The chief pollinators of our food crops are domestic honeybees which have been hard-hit in recent years by a combination of parasitic mites, disease, starvation caused by severe weather and pesticide poisoning. This is why our company does not use any poisons to get rid of the bees. The best time of the day for the treatment is either early morning or late afternoon. This is when they remain inactive inside the colony.

If you have wasps or bees nesting on your property, (private or leased), it is your responsibility to have them removed. It is recommended you call a pest control company to solve the problem swarm. If you have your own protective clothing the best time to remove a nest is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. These times will ensure the majority of the colony will be in the nest.

ABOUT WASPS.

Yellow jackets and other wasps are feared because they can sting humans and pets. Unlike bees, female wasps can sting repeatedly. If left undisturbed, most species wasps and hornets are not aggressive to human or other animals. If a nest is disturbed, wasps release a chemical which triggers the wasps to defend the nest. Yellow jackets are an exception. They are aggressive by nature and become especially persistent when foraging for limited food at the end of the summer.

Normal reactions to stings include pain, redness, itching and swelling at the sting site. Ice and table salts are helpful in managing the symptoms. Symptoms can occur immediately after a sting or take longer to appear, and may last for several hours.

People who are hypersensitive have some or all of these symptoms:

     - Difficulty breathing, caused by swelling of the air passages.
     Shortness of breath, wheezing and a sensation of tightness in the chest are also symptoms.
     - Faintness and other shock symptoms.
     These symptoms are serious and may result in death.
     - Nausea, headache and chest or abdominal pain can also be symptoms of a hypersensitive reaction to a sting.

Pest Control of Wasps:

In order for the nest to be destroyed you need to locate the nest. To find the nest you need to establish the direction the wasps are flying. To do this, place a protein-based food source (i.e. meat or pet food) in a visible location. Once the wasp has collected the food, it will fly in a direct line to the nest. A wasp may be scavenging for food up to 1,500 feet from the nest. Keep relocating the food sources in the direction of the nest. You may need to work cooperatively with your neighbors.
Nests are located where shelter is available. Common locations for nests include retaining walls, tree hollows and wall cavities. Nests are often underground, and will be evident by a stream of wasps entering and leaving a hole in the ground. The nest is made of grey paper Mache type material. Nests constructed of mud are not wasp nests. Wasps are attracted to sweet food and meat. This is why they are commonly a nuisance at outdoor eating venues and barbeques.