Did you know that late spring is honeybee swarming season! As the weather warms up, you may begin to notice more bee activity as they start collecting pollen to eat and store for the upcoming winter. You will likely see swarms of bees in the coming months, searching enthusiastically for their new homes. As a homeowner, you may be concerned that bees may choose your home for their new beehive.

Although we can’t completely control where they choose to make their new homes, there are some steps we can take to prevent bees from building nests in our attics, under the eaves of our roofs or in exterior structures like sheds or garages.

Bees tend to choose the site of their new hive based on factors such as temperature, moisture level, ventilation and proximity to a food source. They also look for a spot with a small entrance that provides protection from predators. Because of this, popular nesting spots often include the hollows of trees, rock outcroppings and structures built and used by humans.

Prevent Bees from Nesting in Your Home

There is no foolproof method for preventing bees from shacking up in your house. However, there are some relatively simple steps you can take to make it more difficult for bees to make your home their new home.

Seal Any Holes or Openings

Take a walk around your home and check for any holes or other small openings that are a quarter of an inch or larger. Pay specific attention to any areas where there are wires or vents with open space around them. Seal these spaces with caulk, mesh or metal screens.

You will also want to check the eaves of your roof for holes or cracks that bees could enter through. Bees love building nests in eaves and attics, so take extra care to seal up any potential entryways in these areas.

Remove Old Honeycomb

If you had a previous hive in your home, be sure to check that all of the old honeycomb was properly removed. Old honeycomb contains pheromones that may attract bees to the same spot. An experienced live bee removal and bee repair technician will be able to locate the honeycomb, remove it from the structure and repair any damage that the hive or removal has caused.

Remove Yard Clutter

Yards that are full of dead tree limbs, unused appliances or vehicles or other large objects that are infrequently used may be a target for swarming bees. Clear these items from the yard and remove dead limbs, especially those that butt up against a shed, garage or your home. Removing these items will give bees less of a reason to make their home on your property.

While we love seeing bees during this time of year, we don’t love to see them in the eaves of your roof or in your attic or shed. When you think you may have a nest in your home, the best course of action is to contact expert apiarist who does live bee removal to take a look. Professionals will know exactly how to safely and humanely remove the bees and all of the honeycomb so you can have peace of mind that they won’t come back next year.