Why Are There Bees in My House? Everything You Should Know

You’re probably familiar with that distinctive buzzing: the sound of bees flying past. So what do you do if you hear it inside your home? Bees will come inside if they find a proper food or water source, or a place to build a hive. Although you’ll likely find bees outdoors where they can pollinate and nest more freely, they’ll make their way into your home if they find it more suitable.

If you’ve ever wondered what to do if there are bees in your house, then it’s time to find out so you can take steps to get rid of them. The first step is understanding where you’ll likely find them.

Where You’ll Likely Find Bees Indoors

An occasional bee that you see flying about here and there really isn’t a lot to be concerned about. However, if you start to notice more and more bees that are actually flying around inside, there could be a serious underlying problem. In most cases, you’ll have a bee or two in the home because they happened to get in through an entry point. This could be a crack in a window, an open window or door, or an area where an entry point is no longer sealed.

Some stinging insects prefer to establish their hives at ground level, similar to wasps, while others prefer to be higher up, such as in a tall tree. If they’re starting to appear in your house, it could be because there’s a hive nearby. Most species of bees have a queen, which is the leader of the entire hive. The hive will follow the queen wherever she goes, and they’ll settle wherever she decides to settle down so she can reign over her “kingdom.” 

Hives can range from as small as a few hundred for bumblebees to as large as 80,000 for honey bees! With numbers like that, it’s not surprising that a few bees may make it into your home if the hive is close by. 

Identifying Bees in Your House

If you suspect you have a problem with bees, there are usually a few telltale signs to be aware of. For starters, they can build their hives in between walls, in attics, or in other hidden spaces.

When a bee enters your home, keep a close eye on it and follow it around. It will likely lead you to its home base unless it just happens to get inside. If it’s just a stray bee, it will probably want to get out as quickly as it came in. If you suspect you have a hive in your home, you can knock on the walls and listen for any bee-like noises. 

It’s best to hire a professional exterminator who can come and find the location of the hive and safely remove it.

How to Get Rid of Bees Inside Your House

Bees are attracted to the pollen in flowers, but they also love anything that’s sweet and sugary. If you wonder why there are bees in your house, it might be because there is garbage close to the home.

• Lock up all trash, especially things like sugary sodas and juice. 
• Put all trash in a can with a sealed lid, and try to keep it as far away from your home as possible so you don’t tempt the bees to come near.
• Wash your trash can frequently to eliminate any residue that might tempt bees.
• Seal all entry points, cracks, and crevices – anywhere they can sneak in.

Getting Rid of Bees Naturally

There are also a few natural ways you can keep bees from getting inside your house. These methods eliminate the need for harsh chemicals and prevent bees from sneaking inside the home. Some things you can try include:

• Place cucumber peels on a windowsill. Bees do not like cucumber, so this is a simple, natural way to keep them from flying in through an open window.
• Sprinkle peppermint oil around areas where you want to keep bees away. You can also plant peppermint plants in your garden to keep the pesky bees at bay.
• Bees tend to avoid cinnamon, so sprinkle some cinnamon powder around the perimeter of your home to keep them away.
• You can apply a mixture of vanilla extract and body oil to your body when you’re outside, and it works well as a natural repellent for bees and other pests.

By keeping your home clean and free of tempting sugar, you can reduce the threat of having bees inside the house.

How to Keep Bees Away From Your House

Bees are essential to the environment and pollinate countless species of plants and flowers. However, bees can also threaten many people, especially if you’re allergic to bee stings.

• Depending on where the hive is located, you can fix the issue by putting a clear plastic tarp over it (if you’re brave enough). The tarp will trap heat from the sun, making conditions much too hot for bees to survive. It’s best to consult with a pro who can remove the hive altogether without hurting the bees whenever possible.
• In some cases, you can make conditions unattractive for the bees so that they move elsewhere. Plant some bee-repelling plants around the perimeter of your home, like peppermint or eucalyptus. If the bees find their environment unappealing, they’ll likely move their hive elsewhere.
• Another repellent you can try is to use mothballs. Hang some mothballs near the hive, or place them strategically around your house. The bees don’t like the presence of mothballs near them, so they’ll likely move on.

Like other pests, the key to getting rid of bees is prevention. However, if there are a lot of bees in your home, you should consider hiring a professional who knows how to remove the entire hive.

When to Call a Pro in Bee Extermination

Ideally, you should never try to eradicate bees from the home yourself. Not only do you run a serious risk of being stung, but you likely won’t be able to get rid of the entire colony or hive without some professional help. When in doubt, never attempt to eliminate bees from your home. You could end up getting stung, making the problem worse, or become frustrated since most bees are difficult to get rid of completely.

If you have young children, it’s also best to call in an exterminator. Kids might be tempted to investigate the hive, which can easily result in some seriously painful stings. Always keep your pets away from beehives, too.

Contact a professional exterminating company that understands bees and how to remove them in a safe, responsible manner so you can get back to living in peace. A beekeeper is another solution since they have the tools and skills to remove beehives completely from the home.

Say Goodbye To Bees with Inman-Murphy, Inc.

If you live in Mid-South TN, or any part of Tennessee, you may ask, “Why are there bees in my house?” Fortunately, there are solutions if you’ve discovered that you have an issue with bees or any other pest. We’ll help you identify if you have a single bee who may have gotten inside or if you have an actual hive hiding somewhere in your home. If we find that you have an infestation, we’ll put together a plan to get rid of these pests for good.

Call us today to schedule an appointment or to get a free estimate! We’ll help you get rid of bees once and for all.

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