A close-up of a wasp nest with multiple aggressive wasps defending it, highlighting the risk of stings and potential injury from attempting DIY nest removal without proper protection or professional help

DIY Bee Removal: Is It Worth Trying?

Did you know that an average of 72 people die from hornet and bee stings each year? Meanwhile, stings account for at least 220,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. annually.

One of the most common reasons for these stings is attempting DIY bee removal. Many bees are beneficial insects that pollinate our plants and secure our global food supply. However, bees in residential homes and yards create legitimate hazards and can put your family and neighbors at risk.

Precise Termite & Pest Control explains the dangers of bee removal DIY methods and offers a better alternative for professional help.

Identifying the Type of Stinging Insect

Before considering DIY bee hive removal, it is a good idea to identify the type of hive you’re dealing with.

For example, hornets hide in tree hollows or wall voids, and yellowjackets in attics or underground burrows. Knowing the type of bee you have in your yard can help determine the best course of action for eradication.

However, identifying a nest may require getting dangerously close to it. That’s why we offer free inspections to confirm what type of hive you have and then chart the best course of action for removing it.

The Importance of Understanding Bee Behaviors

Another crucial thing to understand before attempting bee removal DIY methods is how bees behave so that you can predict what happens when you destroy their habitat.

Swarming is common among bees but can be a very scary experience for amateur exterminators. Bee swarms are masses of bees that move together through the air when they must shift locations. Human disturbances are major causes of bee swarms, as they respond to your actions and flee to safety.

At Precise, we often receive panicked phone calls from homeowners due to bee swarms after DIY attempts. Fortunately, we’re just a quick call away when you’ve gotten in over your head with DIY bee removal.

Other bee behaviors to be mindful of include foraging for nectar and pollen, guarding the entrance of hives, and defensive actions like loud buzzing and flying close to your face. Once you notice unexpected bee activity, take note of when and where they are most active to inform your local exterminator when you call for help.

Contact Us Instead of DIY Bee Removal

The best approach to handling a bee situation in your yard is to skip the DIY bee removal attempts altogether and call Precise at the first sign of a problem.

We specialize in New Jersey bee removal to take the stress out of discovering a bee hive and keep your family safe. Our services are especially essential if anyone in your household or neighborhood is allergic to bees and at a heightened risk of an adverse reaction after a sting.

Our team of bee removal professionals will safely and effectively eliminate bees from your property, using proven methods to ensure the problem is resolved. Whether you have bumblebees, hornets, or yellowjackets, we are here for you whenever you have a bee emergency.

Now that you understand the risks of DIY bee hive removal, please contact us online or call us at 866-971-2847 whenever you notice increased bee activity in your yard.

wasp in a yellow flower.

Various pests pose risks to human health, including mosquitoes, mice, bees, and ticks. Yellow jackets are another major concern in our area because these wasps are predatory insects that build large nests and produce painful stings.

In this Precise Termite & Pest Control article, we discuss the danger of yellow jacket stings and how to take care of yourself if you or someone else suffers from one.

What Are Yellow Jackets?

Yellow jackets are social wasps that are yellow and black in color. They are drawn to sweet foods, meat, and sugary drinks, making them troublesome pests for picnics and backyard barbecues.

Yellow jackets exist worldwide but are particularly common in the eastern and southeastern U.S. The insects live in large colonies and are prone to stinging people if their colonies are disturbed because of their protective nature. Thousands of yellow jackets often live in nests, which can become very large and are made up of wood fibers mixed with saliva.

Symptoms of Yellow Jacket Stings

Yellow jacket stings cause pain, swelling, redness, burning, and itchiness of the affected skin area. However, some people are allergic to yellowjacket stings and develop anaphylaxis, which can lead to wheezing, trouble breathing and swallowing, hives, throat tightness, sweating, dizziness, and fainting.

Risks of Yellow Jacket Stings

Yellow jackets are part of our natural environment and are essential for pollination, biodiversity, and the food chain. But that certainly doesn’t mean you want aggressive and dangerous insects living on your property or putting you and your family at risk of stings.

You can reduce your risk of yellowjacket stings by wearing insect repellant and avoiding common nest areas, such as tree stumps and hollow logs. Bright clothing, perfume, and scented beauty projects attract yellow jackets, so avoid these things while outdoors. You can also prevent yellow jacket interactions by throwing out food scraps as soon as you are done eating outside.

Yellow Jacket Sting First Aid Tips

If you know you are allergic to yellow jackets, call 911 immediately for emergency help, and use an EpiPen right away if you have one. A severe yellow jacket sting may require CPR to restore breathing, epinephrine, intravenous antihistamines, corticosteroids, and breathing support.

If you do not have an allergy, you can typically treat the sting at home with DIY remedies. First, remove the stinger by pulling it out with tweezers or using a clean, blunt straightedge. Wash the sting site with antibacterial soap and place an ice pack on the wound to reduce pain and swelling. Make sure to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest while recovering from a sting.

Hydrocortisone or calamine lotion may help address the symptoms, as well as ibuprofen or Tylenol.

Professional Help with Yellow Jackets

If you notice yellow jacket nests on your property or these insects flying around your home, it is time to call a professional exterminator. We offer bee removal and hornet extermination services that are safe and affordabe.

Don’t put yourself, other people in your household, or guests at risk of getting stung by yellow jackets. Even if you aren’t allergic, these stings are very painful and can often be avoided by smart habits and effective pest control.

For your free yellow jacket inspection, please call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online.

The amount of time that a bee lives varies based on the type of bee and the season. Drone bees, for example, rarely survive through a winter but worker honey bees just become inactive when the winter season comes. This article explores the hibernation patterns of bees, bee activity at the end of the year, and how to get rid of bees if you notice them around your home.

The Life of an Adult Bee

There are four stages of life for a bee: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The adult phase begins when the bee emerges from the capped cell of the pupa stage and is free to start fulfilling its role in the bee caste system. Honey bees are either worker bees, drone bees, or queen bees – all essential roles to keep the hive functioning properly. The developmental period for a bee is between 16 and 24 days.

Do Bees Hibernate?

Yes, some types of bees hibernate to survive the cold winter and extend their lifespan until the next year. Bumble bee queens mate and find a safe place to nest for the winter while the rest of the colony dies off in the cold. Hibernation is important for the queen bee so she can burn very little energy and slow down her metabolism in the winter and avoid death. However, honey bees stay fully awake during the winter and do not hibernate. A honey bee colony is active all winter long with the bees eating and working to store away food.

Bees Through the Seasons

Many types of bees become less active in the winter and are not seen because they are either hibernating, staying inside for warmth, or dying off. Bee activity picks up in the spring when the weather gets warm and plants start to bloom. Bees are very active in the summer months, and then they start to prepare for the winter during the fall season to continue the cycle of life.

Getting Rid of Bees in the Late Fall

Bee removal is a common service that we provide at Precise Termite and Pest Control in the fall because they are prominently out and about preparing for winter. During this time of year, bees get into food-gathering mode to stock up on supplies for cold days ahead. This means that you may see more bee activity as the bees make preparations to help their colonies survive.

Contact Precise Termite and Pest Control at 866-971-2847 for a free bee inspection and consultation about how to handle the bees in your yard. We’ll check all potential bee habitats, ensure that items around your home aren’t attracting bees, and safely and humanely remove bees so that you aren’t burdened by them. We look forward to serving you in Northern New Jersey.

Bees are insects that are fascinating, terrifying, beneficial, and harmful all at the same time. This is because there are numerous types of bees that each have their own habits and patterns. To help you learn more about bees, this article will answer the question of “how long do bees live?” and discuss a bee’s life cycle and why they can be pests.

How Long Do Bees Live?

As you might expect, different types of bees live for different amounts of time. Also, the length of time a bee lives also depends on the season.

For example, worker honey bees live for about five to six weeks during the active season but up to four to six months during the inactive winter season. Drone bees die within hours of mating with the queen bee and rarely survive through a winter. There are more than 500 species of stingless bees, and some of these bees can live for three years or longer. Queen bees have the longest life cycles and average two to five years of life. However, some queen bees have lived up to seven years.

What Affects Bees’ Life Spans?

Many bees die of natural causes but are sometimes eaten by other bees. Bees’ life spans are also impacted by diseases and infections that can impact the entire colony. Pesticides and habitat loss can make bees die sooner than they would naturally as well. Human interference affects the lives of bees and is a leading cause for habitat loss.

Life Cycles of a Bee

Bees develop through four stages of life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This process is shortest for queens and a few days longer for worker bees and drones – overall between about 16 to 24 days to reach maturity. Honey bees lay eggs in wax honeycombs, and new bees hatch about three days after a bee lays eggs. The larval stage lasts about five days for eating and growing before bees enter the pupal stage, which is when bees form their eyes, wings, and legs. When bees become adults, they instinctively know their role in the hive and how to function in their society.

Why Bees Are Problematic

Bees are most troublesome for humans when they sting because bee stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people. Certain types of bees can carry diseases that affect humans as well. Honey is a desirable product that comes from bees; however, it can also attract other insects and stain or damage structures on your property.

How to Get Rid of Bees on Your Property

Bee control should always be handled by an extermination professional because of the dangers bees can cause. Precise Termite & Pest Control specializes in safe and humane bee removal, and we’ve been keeping Northern New Jersey pest-free for over 30 years.

We’ll find and take care of bee nests around your home and property so you can go outdoors without fear of being stung. Call us at the first sign of a bee problem and we’ll come out for a free inspection.

Most people spend their lives trying to avoid bees and wasps as much as possible due to the threat of stings. But if you’re a homeowner, it makes sense to learn about the different species so that you can identify them on your property can call for professional help when needed.

Here’s an overview of the most common varieties of wasps and types of bees in NJ.

Carpenter Bees

As the name suggests, carpenter bees have a habit of boring into wood to make their nests. This is problematic because of the damage they can cause to your home and other wooden structures that you have built. These types of bees in NJ can be territorial and sting if a person comes to close to their nests. However, the real threat of these bees is with the structural damage they cause.

Honeybees

Honeybees are a beneficial species of insect that spread pollen and help flowers, fruits, and vegetables to grow. These types of bees in NJ typically only react to humans when they feel threatened. But their stings can be severe and cause pain, burning, redness, and even life-threatening symptoms if you have an allergy.

Bumble Bees

Bumblebees are common in our area, and these bees usually build nests close to the ground. Therefore, it is easy to stumble upon bumble bee habitats and put yourself in danger. Bumble bees also have a role in the pollination of wildflowers. They are not as defensive as other types of bees but can sting multiple times in a row, which is risky to people with bee allergies.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps live in small colonies and are not very aggressive. However, they can sting multiple times to protect themselves from threats and have venom that cause allergic reactions. These wasps get their name because they build nests from paper materials and often live in the eaves, rafters, and porch ceilings of homes.

Yellow Jackets

Yellow jackets also live on New Jersey properties and are often found buzzing around flowers. These wasps can be aggressive and sting if they are provoked, which is very painful.

Mud Dauber Wasps

Mud dauber wasps are generally calm insects that build nets and rarely attack people. But although stings are rare, they are possible and can cause redness and swelling of the skin. These are solitary wasps that build nests in mud around homes and other property structures.

Get Help with All Types of Bees and Wasps in New Jersey

No matter which type of bee or wasp you’re dealing with, Precise Termite & Pest Control is here to help. We specialize in New Jersey bee and wasp removal and provide free inspections to help you safely control pests. Contact us at the first signs of a bee or wasp problem to protect yourself and your property!

There are thousands of species that exist in our world, including carpenter bees that are common in New Jersey. Carpenter bees have unique nesting habits and can cause significant damage to your home if an infestation is not promptly addressed.

Here is some information about carpenter bees’ nests and what you can do to prevent and get rid of them around your yard.

Common Places for Carpenter Bees’ Nests

As their name suggests, carpenter bees nest in wood to store pollen and survive the winter season. House frames and eaves are common places for carpenter bee nests, especially if these areas have bare wood rather than stained wood. Outdoor patio furniture made of wood, rafters, decks, and siding are also common places for carpenter bees to nest.

Nesting and Mating Habits of Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are unique in that they are solitary insects and do not live in colonies like other types of bees. These bees find mates when they emerge into the spring season and then burrow into wooden structures to create nests for females to lay their eggs. Meanwhile, the male carpenter bees guard the nests to protect the females and offspring from predators. Once the offspring is born, the parent carpenter bees will often die naturally in in these nests.

Damage Caused by Carpenter Bees Nest in Wood

Carpenter bees cause damage similar to termites because of their wood-boring nature. This is problematic because wood that has been compromised by a carpenter bee nest is prone to moisture damage and decay over time. This can make the structure of your home less secure and result in costly home repairs in the future. Holes in wood caused by carpenter bees can also attract woodpeckers and fungi growth.

How to Prevent and Get Rid of a Carpenter Bees Nest

To prevent carpenter bee infestations, inspect your home on a regular basis for holes and cracks. Seal up any gaps you find, and also make a point to repair screens on windows and doors that have tears in them.

When it comes to carpenter bee removal, it is best to trust trained professionals who know how to handle these troublesome pests. Precise Termite and Pest Control has been keeping Northern New Jersey pest-free for over 30 years and is offering 10 percent off new annual contracts for pest control services.

At the first sign of unusual bee activity or wood damage around your home, call us at 866-971-2847 and we’ll send an expert exterminator out for a free inspection.

Carpenter bees are unlike other types of common bees in that they bore into wood and are not social insects. Instead, these bees build their nests individually and can cause damage to the structure of your home.

To help you prevent a carpenter bee infestation, here are some details about these insects, where to find their nests, and who to call for extermination assistance.

Where Carpenter Bees Make Nest

Carpenter bees love to build their nests outside in trees or in the eaves or frames of houses.  The bees do not live in these nests but rather just use nests to store pollen here for when the weather turns cold.

You may notice smooth and round holes bore into the wood of your home if you have a carpenter bee infestation. The bees prefer bare wood to stained wood. Places to check around your home for carpenter bees are eaves, boards, siding, rafters, decks, and outdoor wood furniture.

Damage Caused by Carpenter Beers

Although carpenter bees are wood-boring insects, they typically don’t cause as much damage as termites. However, they are still a big nuisance to homeowners because they cause wood structures to retain moisture and become prone to rot and decay.

After these bees create tunnels in the wood, woodpeckers are known to become attracted to these new holes and create further pest damage. Only female carpenter bees are capable of causing painful bee stings because males have no stinging capability; however, it is recommended to steer clear of all stinging insects.

Preventing a Carpenter Bee Infestation

The best way to prevent a carpenter bee infestation is to inspect your home regularly for strange holes and seal up cracks and crevices that you notice. Use a silicon caulk to seal up any holes and repair screen tears in windows and doors too.

Insecticides can deter carpenter bees from expanding their wood tunnels. After using insecticide, seal up the hole so that the bees can no longer access the tunnel. Carpenter bee traps may also be used by experienced professionals to curb a household bee problem.

Carpenter Bee Infestation House Help

At the first signs of holes or tunnels in the wood of your home, contact Precise Termite and Pest Control for a free inspection to assess the extent of your carpenter bee infestation house issue.

We specialize in all types of New Jersey bee removal and have the knowledge and experience to safely and humanely remove bees from your home so that your home and family are no longer at risk. A carpenter bee problem will only get worse if you ignore it, so don’t delay calling us at 866-971-2847.