Thursday, March 12, 2020

5 Effective Ways to Remove Bees Naturally

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What is it about bees that have everyone so divided? Some people may run in fear from bees; others will defend bees at random conversations with their friends. From an ecosystem standpoint, bees are beneficial. However, from a safety standpoint, they can be quite dangerous to those that have allergies or those that don’t want to be stung. The important thing is to realize the good work bees do, and when encountering an infestation of your property, find effective ways to remove bees without killing them.

Honey bees, for example, are one of the best bees on the planet. Responsible for pollination that mainly feeds the animals we eat and creating honey, they offer excellent benefits that those that love honey can appreciate. But what happens when they start invading your property? In this article, we will go over why you need to remove them, signs of an infestation, and how to get rid of an active bee infestation. 

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Why Do You Need to Remove Bees?

Unfortunately, though bees are great for our environment, it doesn’t mean we want an uncontrolled infestation populating the property. Removing bees can be necessary for a few reasons. The top is safety. Take a look at the top reasons; you should have bees removed from your property.  

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Allergies to Bee Stings

Is someone in your family allergic to bees? Stings can cause severe reactions, and can sometimes be fatal. For those that have seen My Girl, you know all too well what can happen when bees start to attack someone that is allergic. Some issues that can develop include hives or other rashes and throat swelling shut. When a person that is allergic to a bee is stung, they may quickly need medical attention. The most common medication for a bee sting is an Epi-pen, used to neutralize the reaction.

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Bee Stings Hurt

If you haven’t been stung by a bee in your lifetime, count yourself lucky. It is a painful experience. While wasps typically get all the notoriety for stings that hurt, bees aren’t too far behind. If there were a single reason why a homeowner would want to get bees off property, it would be to eliminate the possibility of getting stung.

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Bees Can Get Angry

Even if you are minding your own business, if you accidentally disturb the hive, you will have angry bees on your tail. When bees swarm, they usually hit their target. Aggressive bees that swarm have the potential to sting repeatedly. 

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Signs of Bee Infestation

Okay, so now that we know a bee infestation can be a bad thing for the residents and visitors to the property, how can we identify the signs of an infestation? The sooner you can identify a hive, the sooner you can get rid of the bees, and it will not be a larger-scale issue.

The Hive Is Present

Seeing a beehive is probably the most active clue that you have a problem. While bees may leave older hives, a busy colony will have bees coming in and out.

More Than One or Two Bees 

More than one bee can quickly become a problem. As soon as they start to reproduce in their hive, there can quickly be more than a hundred bees. Then getting rid of the problem becomes a matter of safety. One or two bees flying around is fine, and shouldn’t be something to be too worried about. When you see a stray bee, they are more than likely pollinating the flowers in the area.

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How to Get Rid of Bees?

So now we understand why we want to get rid of a bee infestation, and ways to spot an outbreak, the next logical question would be how can we effectively get bees off the property? More importantly, how can safety get rid of them without injuring ourselves or the hive. How we go about getting rid of bees will vary depending on where the hive is located. How you will approach an active hive in a home versus outside the house will be different. 

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Bees in the house

When there are bees in the house, this presents a considerable problem. One, it makes the problem more difficult to approach; the second, it can become more dangerous. When bees are in the home, it is imperative you don’t disrupt the hive if you can see it. If you’ve just noticed a few bees in the house, contact your local pest controller to survey the situation. If you’ve found the hive, in a place like an attic, you can either call your local pest controller or beekeeper.  

Bees are attracted to sugary substances. Soda is one may of us have around the home. You can put out a dish in the area where the bees are and a window; opening the window, you can lead them outside. While this might work, it also carries the risk of injury. Consulting with a professional is likely the best choice.

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Bees on the ground

To get rid of bees that are on the ground outside, there is a natural remedy with vinegar spray. Vinegar is a natural deterrent to many pests, including bees. Create a solution mixture with ¾ vinegar to 1/4 part water and spray the yard. Treating the yard can push the bees away if there are only a few. 

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Bees in your car

While it might seem unlikely that bees will be in your vehicle, it can happen. Cars that sit are more prone to bee issues, but it isn’t unreasonable to think a bee or two can sneak in your vehicle. If you see one or two, ventilation is usually the best way to remove them. For bees in the trunk, you can try mothballs. Bees hate the smell of mothballs. If you place a few in the trunk of your car, they will go out the same way they came in.

 If you see a hive under your car or in the truck, again, contacting a professional will be the best option. Another method you could try is spraying under your car a solution of cinnamon

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Beehives around the house

When you find beehives around the home, like on the roofline, it is critical that you don’t mess with the hive. Instead, try sprinkling cinnamon around the area. This is another natural deterrent, like vinegar, that will get bees to relocate without killing them.  

There are natural plant remedies that will make bees bypass your house entirely. Consider adding citronella, eucalyptus, or even a mint plant in your home and outside to repel any bees from stopping and forming a hive on your property. 

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Professional Bee Removal

So, we’ve gone over five effective methods for getting rid of bees. These include:

  • Sprinkling cinnamon around the hive
  • Spraying the yard with white distilled vinegar
  • Sugar attracts bees; soda can get bees to relocate out of the home
  • For bees in cars, ventilate
  • Consider planting bee-Deterrent herbs around the yard including citronella and mint

While these natural remedies can help in certain situations, having professional treatments are the best solution. Some times call for professional bee removal. You should consider calling your local pest controller if you see an active hive, or there have been more bees appearing. For those that have allergies or children with bee allergies, it would be an excellent idea to take swift action and go straight to getting effective removal from the experts.

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Conclusion

Bees are wonderful for our environment. Pollination is an essential part of making the world go round. However, bees can be dangerous, especially to those that have allergies. Removing bees safely is the top priority. Killing bees is bad for the environment. But approaching bees on your own can cause an aggressive swarm, which can be dangerous. 

 The best method of getting rid of an active bee infestation is to call the professionals. Offering the top pest control services in the Coachella Valley area, Bug Guys Pest Control proudly provides effective and safe bee removal around homes and businesses. If you currently have an infestation in your home or office, contact us today! You can request an appointment online or give our office a call.

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5 Effective Ways to Remove Bees Naturally Find more on: Bug Guys Services

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Termite Prevention Tips

termite infestation

Your home is a significant investment of both time and money. It takes a lot of diligent work to keep it in tip-top shape. From weather events to normal wear and tear, homeowners must protect their properties from potential damage. One of the most catastrophic of these events is a severe insect infestation.

  

Termites are one of these harmful pests that can strike fear in the heart of even the most seasoned homeowners. Not only do they have the potential to cause significant damage to the structure of a property, they often fly discreetly under the radar. They have the potential to create significant damage before anyone is even aware of their problematic presence. 

In this case, your best defense is a strong and well-rounded offense. There are some steps you can take to make your home unwelcome to termites. Check out these tips to safeguard your property against an infestation.

Know Your Termites

The best way to defeat termites is to know what makes them thrive. Creating conditions that prevent their livelihood is the best way to deter their presence. Guarding your property and home against their destruction can eliminate a costly infestation.

 

Termites feed off rotting plant materials like wood and dead vegetation. Their colonies grow rapidly and can quickly reach populations into the millions. They live underground or in wood and can quickly make their way into structures to devour a wide range of materials. These pests prefer dark and balmy environments and will take residence in the wood they feed on or travel back on forth between their home and food source via a tunnel system.

Strategic Landscaping To Fight Termites

 

termite infestation

Termites thrive in the warm, moist conditions that mulch creates. Consider alternatives to mulch, especially in areas close to your home. There are other attractive options to cover your landscaping beds. Pine needles are a suitable alternative that doesn’t retain as much moisture. Pea gravel and lava stone are unique, budget-friendly options that drain better and don’t need to replenished as frequently as mulch.

 

If you have your heart set on mulch beds, make an effort to keep it away from any exterior wood areas of your house. It’s also a good idea to apply the same strategy for soil. Leaving an 18-inch gap between these materials and your home forms a barrier that the termites are less likely to cross. 

 

In addition, make sure the vegetation around your home is cut back from the structure of the home and maintained consistently over time. This will make your yard more attractive and help the ground stay dryer. Remember that decaying vegetation, like dying trees, are a magnet for termites. If you have stumps or other shrubberies that are in need of removal, make sure to take care of that as promptly as possible.

Improve Drainage

Water is a termite’s best friend. If you have standing water on your property, you could be inadvertently drawing these pests toward your home. Making sure your drainage is working properly can do a lot to deter these insects. Not only will you help discourage the presence of termites, but you may keep other bugs away from your home as well. 

Walk around the perimeter of your property and ensure that your downspouts are unobstructed and working properly. If they are draining close to your home, consider adding a downspout extender to reroute water further out into the yard. Thoroughly clean out your gutters and get rid of anything in your yard that has the potential to collect moisture. 

Does your yard have a significant slope creating a low spot near your house? Creating an attractive creek bed can strategically direct water elsewhere. Consider adding French drains in areas that are prone to flooding. A rain garden a fair distance from your house filled with water-loving plants is a beautiful way to absorb excess moisture.

Eliminate Leaks

 

termite infestation

A termites favorite meal is softened wood. A leak in your home provides the moisture to create prime conditions for termite infestation. It’s vital to inspect and maintain your plumbing systems.

If you stop a leak in its tracks, without allowing damage to take place, you reduce the chances that you will have an infestation in the future. 

Develop a routine to monitor the inside and outside of your home for potential leaks. Your water meter may have a leak indicator that is extremely helpful. You can also do this manually by checking the reading on the meter, waiting a few hours, and checking it again. Making sure no water is utilized during the testing period, you will know that if the number increases, you have a leak somewhere. 

Visually inspect your ceilings and under sinks. Leaks in upstairs floors can leave yellowish stains on white ceilings. Look under sink cabinets for warping or staining that can be caused by leaky faucets or drainage pipes. A simple leak at the joints can easily be repaired with epoxy or tape.

Make sure all exterior hoses are connected well and turned off completely after use. A dripping spigot can result in standing water that can seep into the foundation and surrounding areas. Carefully inspect exterior faucets after winter months to make sure they are working properly.

It’s never a bad idea to have someone come out once a year and look for leaks or other problems at your property. A skilled plumber can quickly and efficiently find any gaps in your system. They can also repair them or replace any aging components that are likely to cause you issues in the future. 

Termite-Proof Your Exterior

The maintenance you perform on the exterior of your home can go a long way in preventing termites. Decaying materials are a welcoming home for the pests. Increasing the distance these insects have to travel for a meal can be helpful. 

 

Inspect your roof and replace any rotting shingles. Check the facia and soffits around your roof and replace them if they show signs of decay. Any wood trim and framing should be inspected carefully and sealed to prevent moisture damage. 

 

Keeping wooden parts of your house away from ground level is an effective deterrent. Try to keep any wood siding or trim at least six inches from the ground. You can replace lower pieces with composite if you want to keep the same wood look. 

Close Off Entrances

 

termite infestation

Sealing your house off from these pests is a great strategy to keep them at bay. Termites are able to locate even the smallest crevices to gain entry. Being diligent about creating a solid barrier can be very effective. 

 

Walk around the exterior of your home and look for any potential gaps. Gas lines and water lines are often a means of entry. Also, look around the framing of your windows and doors for any damage or cracks. Thoroughly seal off these areas to eliminate any crevices. Adding bug screens over any exterior vents can also block pests from gaining access. 

 

A fresh coat on painted areas can refresh the exterior of your house and fill in any cracks that may not be visible. You can also seal and waterproof your foundation to prevent erosion and moisture and insects from getting in. Check for and fill any gaps in the mortar between bricks or worn-out weather stripping around windows. 

An Unwelcoming Basement

The basement is one of the most common places a termite infestation kicks off. Make sure the conditions of your basement aren’t a breeding ground for these pests. Creating an ideal climate and reducing the materials that termites favor can help prevent them from sticking around. 

 

Again, termites love moisture and thrive in humid environments. Basements are commonly the dampest area of the house, especially if they are unfinished. Consider using a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in your basement. A whole-house unit might be a wise investment, especially if you live in a humid climate. 

 

Cellulose is a crowd favorite of termite colonies. Eliminate or replace any unnecessary cellulose-based materials. This includes extra insulation and any leftover building materials that might be lying around in crawlspaces. 

Be Smart About Wood

It’s important to be mindful of the wood you bring to your property. You might be inadvertently creating an infestation. You can prevent causing these issues with thorough inspections and smart storage. 

 

Repurposing wood is great for the environment and can create unique projects, but it’s essential to be careful. Railroad ties and barn wood are awesome reusable materials for landscaping projects. They can also harbor termites that can take over your property. Inspect any used wood or lumber extremely well for evidence of termite damage before putting it on your property. 

 

Firewood can also create a breeding ground for termites. It can hold moisture and hide the evidence of their presence. Make sure to stack firewood as far as possible from your house. It’s also helpful to cover it, especially in rainy weather, to keep it as dry as possible. 

Professional Pest Control

 

The best way to keep termites from infesting your home is to have the property monitored by a professional pest control company. Bug Guys Pest Control is happy to provide you with a free termite inspection and let you know how we can help you going forward. There is nothing like having the peace of mind that comes with a termite monitoring service.

Termites have the potential to cause an extensive amount of damage leading to a significant amount of costly repairs. Do yourself a favor and take these steps to defend your property against a pest invasion. These small, preventative actions can greatly reduce your risk of a disastrous infestation.

 

Even the most diligent of homeowners can be vulnerable to these determined insects. Continuously monitor your property for any presence of termites.  Keep in mind, however, that termites are very difficult to spot. It is always a good idea to have a professional routinely monitor the property as well. These combined efforts will give you the best chance of keeping your home safe from these pesky invaders.

 

Termite Prevention Tips was first published to Bug Guys Website

Top 15 Bee Repellers On the Market

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What if getting rid of bees wasn’t as scary as it seems? What if instead of running away in fear, you could tackle the problem head-on, without injury to you or the bees? Pest control solutions for bee prevention from your local pest controller is the best option for maintaining a bee-free property. However, there are a few worthwhile bee repeller products on the market offering effective results at keeping bees away. 

Bee repellents can be divided into two groups. Some use chemicals to keep bees off the property, and then there are all-natural solutions. In this article, we will go over what bee repellents are, dive into the different types, and when to use them. 

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What are bee repellers?

Bee repellents are anything that will keep bees away from your person or of your property. There are thousands of products on the market ranging from pods you can put in your yard to effective bracelets you can wear while in the yard. 

The critical thing to remember is that bees are crucial to our ecosystem. Responsible for pollination, bees do more than travel from flower to flower. They make the food system go round. Because of their importance, killing bees isn’t advised, instead of finding a way to neutralize them, safely getting them off your property, and then preventing bees from colonizing is the best tactic possible. 

Repellers are an excellent choice, as it won’t kill the essential bee population. Still, it can save you and your family from the possible downsides to having bees around, stings being the primary concern. For those that are allergic to bee stings, it is even of greater importance than they utilize repellants meant for prevention in addition to protection.

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What are the different types of bee repellents?

There are two significant types of bee repellents. Those made for prevention and those for protection. Each work is different for keeping bees away from home. However, if bees do become a problem, there is another option available, pesticides. Pesticides can be purchased over the counter or provided by your local pest control company. Let’s take a look at each of these individually to understand better their function and when you might use these products.

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For Prevention

Knowing what attracts bees is the key to giving yourself and property the best chance at keeping these pests at bay. Bees are attracted to anything sugary and sweet. This doesn’t seem unlikely given honey bees are responsible for creating one of the sweetest substances us humans indulge in.  

To prevent an uprising of bees on your property, consider limiting or mixing sweet with plants, bees aren’t very fond of. For example, you may love to have fragrant flowers in your yard, but these will attract bees quicker than you can say honey bee. In the midst of your garden incorporate natural remedies, the bees aren’t so attracted to that may mask the smell. These can include aloe vera plants or rosemary.  

Remember to keep trash cans covered. If you and the family are having dinner outside on the patio, remember to clean up very thoroughly, to limit sugar remnants that may attract not only bees but other insects too. 

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For Protection

Preventing can be only half the battle against bees, sometimes you’ll need to take matters into your own hands and protect the property from active infestations. You can protect your home by making sure that any areas that could be inviting are sealed up. This includes putting a screen on windows and doors. The goal here is to prevent scout bees from calling your property home. By applying a solution around the house, it informs scout bees that your home is not an adequate choice, and the swarm moves on.

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Pesticide

If after all that work of making your home as unappealing as possible to bees, they still manage to create a high, pesticides may be the final straw. There are a few types you can use, and each has its own pros and cons. The biggest drawback to over the counter pesticides is how bad it can be for your health and the environment.  

 Though it would help if you remembered, not all pesticides work against bees. One product can claim it can kill ants, roaches, bees, wasps, flys, termites, and more, but this is mostly false advertising, as one pesticide can’t eliminate all of these effects and still manage to be somewhat safe. The best choice, if you have an active bee problem like carpenter bees, is to contact your local pest controller for professional treatments with top-grade pesticides. 

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Top 15 Bee Repeller Products

Are you curious about what the best products are for repelling bees? There are a ton on the market, and it can be not very easy deciding which is the top option. It would be best if you considered cost plus the effectiveness of the product.

Below is our list of the top 15 products you can purchase either online or in stores for repelling bees.

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  1. Spectracide Ground Bee and Wasp Spray
  2. Burt’s Bees - 100% All-Natural Herbal repellent
  3. Quantum Health Buzz Away Extreme
  4. Burt’s Bees All Natural Outdoor Spray
  5. Bad Bug Pest Repeller
  6. Blythewood Bee Company- Natural oils
  7. BH-Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
  8. Bonide Spider and Ground Bee Killer (Dust)
  9. Spectracide Bug Stop
  10. Evergreen Pyrethrin Dust
  11. BioAdvanced Carpenter Bee Killer
  12. Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus
  13. Buzz-Off Anti Mosquito and Bee Bracelet
  14. Bugband- The Original

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Professional Bee Removal Services

While these products may be good at repelling a few bees, they won’t do much against a giant hive. It is essential to contact an experienced pest controller or beekeeper to handle the situation safely. In most cases, the technician will need to locate the hive and remove it carefully, transporting away from the property. 

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Conclusion

With so many different products on the market for getting rid of bees, it can be confusing making a purchase. However, you should consider alternatives to killing bees as they are an intricate part of our ecosystem. Consider one of the products on our list for repelling bees, and including a professional pest control service for better preventative results or removing them from your home. Bug Guys Pest Control proudly offers bee removal services throughout the Coachella Valley. Contact us today for effective bee removal services.

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The article Top 15 Bee Repellers On the Market Read more on: Bug Guys Pest Control Website