Bumblebees are sometimes known as the “flying teddy bears” of the stinging insect world. They are not typically aggressive towards humans, and some people even like to pet them while they rest on a nearby flower. That being said, they are definitely still capable of defending their nest and are known to show aggression when they feel they are in danger. You may wish to control or eliminate a bumblebee nest on your property for that reason.
Richland Pest & Bee Control can help you identify the stinging insect that’s “bugging you” and let you know whether it poses an imminent threat. If necessary, we have the tools and experience needed to safely locate and eliminate a bumblebee nest that may have formed in an unsuitable location. The key to controlling a pest is understanding the pest. Read the information here to learn more about bumblebee behavior, biology, and environmental benefits.
Like most other species of bee, the bumblebee is herbivorous. It only eats nectar from flowers. It will also gather pollen in the pollen baskets on the hind legs to feed to their larvae. As such the bumblebee plays an important role in the pollination of flowers. They will actually spend a number of days harvesting pollen and nectar from the same patch of flowers until they are no longer able to find food there.
Since bumblebees are the only bee that is able to regulate its own body temperature, it is able to handle the cold much better than other species of bee. As a result, it is possible to find bumblebees in much higher altitudes and more northern latitudes than one would expect to find honey bees.
The bumblebee does not build its own nest. Instead, it will find an abandoned rodent nest or a similar type of nest, and modify that for its own use. It will construct egg cells inside the hole and may cover the nest with a wax covering for added protection. A single nest will generally only house around 50 bees, as they are prevented from living in large colonies depending on the size of the chosen nesting site. A nest will typically only survive a single year and will start anew each year with a new queen. There is also a species called the cuckoo bumblebee that will lay its eggs inside the nest of other bumble bees and leave the workers of that nest to care for its young.
Similar to honeybees, bumblebees also have a stinger. However, male bumblebees cannot sting, only workers and female Queens can sting. Another big difference is that the bumblebee’s stinger is not barbed like a honeybee is, which means there is no chance of it getting hooked on your skin and ripping free of the bee’s abdomen. It also means that a single bumblebee is able to sting multiple times in defense of its nest. It is important to note that they are not typically aggressive but can sting to protect their nest if they feel threatened.
Stinging incidents most often occur due to the fact that the nests are often well-hidden and you may step on one by accident and incur the wrath of the nest. If you are allergic to bee venom then this will likely cause a reaction and you will need to seek immediate medical attention. However, since the bumblebee is not known to be overly aggressive, you would have to really threaten the nest or aggravate the bee in order to get stung.
It is important to note that the bumblebee is protected in many states. This is due to the declining population caused by the destruction of their habitat, the spread of disease, as well as the broadcast use of pesticides in agricultural applications. Bumblebees are not typically aggressive towards people, but exceptions can occur when they feel you are a threat to their nest. Most times, you can safely observe working bumblebees gathering pollen or resting on the tops of flowers. Their nests can be difficult to spot, but can sometimes be located by watching the worker bees when they return to the nest with full pollen baskets. Once a nesting site has been located, you can mark it off to advise people to use caution in that area.
If the nest is located in a place that presents a danger to your family or pets, the technicians at Richland can be called in to treat the nest. This can prove to be a dangerous task as they are likely to sting if provoked. We are trained in pollinator awareness by the National Pest Management Association and we do our best to advise you on how to live peacefully with bumblebees. We are judicious in our treatment of bumblebee nests and do so only in cases where their presence puts your health and safety at risk. If you need assistance handling a bumblebee nest on your property, you can contact us for guidance by calling 860-296-7100.
Click through the questions below to learn more about bumblebees control services options from Richland Pest & Bee Control. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out by contacting us online, or giving us a call at 1-800-308-9126.
Bumblebees are large, fuzzy bees that are important pollinators. They are generally not aggressive toward humans and typically only sting if provoked.
Bumblebees are typically not considered pests, as they play an important role in pollinating plants. However, if they are disrupting an area where people frequently walk or play, or if they have established a nest in an undesirable location, they can be considered a nuisance.
Look for bumblebees flying around plants or flowers, or look for a nest in a hole or cavity in the ground or in a building.
It is not recommended to remove bumblebees yourself, as they are important pollinators and typically do not pose a threat to humans. If the bees are causing a nuisance or have established a nest in an undesirable location, it is best to contact a professional pest control company to safely remove them.
At Richland Pest and Bee Control Company, we use environmentally-friendly methods to control bumblebees, such as relocating the nest or providing recommendations for deterring the bees from nesting in undesirable locations.
Yes, our pest control methods are safe for pets and children when used according to label directions.
The length of time it takes to relocate a bumblebee nest or deter them from nesting in an undesirable location will depend on the size of the infestation and the methods used for control. We can provide an estimate of the timeline once we assess the situation.
We can provide recommendations for preventing bumblebees from nesting in the same area in the future, such as sealing up cracks and holes in buildings or providing alternative nesting sites.
We do not offer a guarantee for our bumblebee control services, as our goal is to safely relocate the nest or provide recommendations for deterring the bees from nesting in undesirable locations rather than eliminating them.
It is not recommended to control bumblebees, as they are important pollinators and typically do not pose a threat to humans. If the bees are causing a nuisance or have established a nest in an undesirable location, it is best to contact a professional pest control company to safely relocate the nest or provide recommendations for deterring the bees from nesting in undesirable locations.
The biggest threats to bumblebees include habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change. These factors can all negatively impact the health and survival of bumblebee populations.
Bumblebees have several defense mechanisms to protect themselves, including stinging and releasing pheromones to signal to other bees to attack if they feel threatened.
The best way to get rid of bees will depend on the situation and the type of bees. For bumblebees, it is generally recommended to safely relocate the nest or provide recommendations for deterring the bees from nesting in undesirable locations. For other types of bees, such as honey bees or wasps, it is best to contact a professional pest control company to safely remove them. It is important to not attempt to remove bees yourself, as this can be dangerous and may cause harm to the bees.
