You’re probably familiar with that distinctive buzzing: the sound of bees flying past. While bees are just fine when they’re outside, what do you do if they’re inside your home?

If you’ve ever asked the question why are there bees in my house, then it’s time to get some answers so you can take steps to get rid of them.

Read on to discover why and how bees can get into a home, and what you can do about it so your home stays bee-free.

The Basics About Bees 

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.

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”.

There are species of bees that are considered quite aggressive, and these pests can pose a serious risk to your health and safety. While some bees are not aggressive as long as they’re left alone, others may attack when they feel threatened.

Some bees 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 make an appearance in your house, it could be because there’s a hive nearby.

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.

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.

One type of bee to be especially aware of is the carpenter bee. These bees drill holes into wood and build their hives inside of wooden structures. 

Identifying Bees in My House

If you suspect you have a problem with bees, there are usually a few telltale signs to be aware of. Use these tips to help you determine if a stray bee has gotten into your home, or if there’s a much bigger issue at play.

You can recognize the presence of carpenter bees if you notice a one-inch round hole in a wooden structure. The bees drill a hole, then create a network of tunnels inside for the hive. Carpenter bees can cause serious structural damage if the problem gets out of control.

Another much scarier problem is if a hive of bees were to establish themselves inside your home. They can build their hives in between walls, in attics, or in other hidden spaces.

If you suspect you have a hive in your home, 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 remove it for you safely. 

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 happened to get inside. If it’s just a stray bee, it will probably want to get out as quickly as it came in.

Preventing Bees From Getting Inside

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 my house, it might be because there is garbage close to the home.

Seal 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. Carpenter bees prefer building their hives in untreated wood, so make sure any wood outside of your home is sealed, painted, or stained.

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 can 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 repellant 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 Eliminate Bees From Your Home

Much like other pests, the key to getting rid of them 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.

Bees are extremely important to the environment and provide pollination to countless species of plants and flowers. However, bees can also be a threat to many people, especially if you’re allergic to bee stings.

Depending on where the hive is located, you might be able to 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 repellant 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.

When to Call a Pro

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. 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.

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.

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.

Always consult with a professional company that specializes in pest control. A beekeeper is another solution since they have the tools and skills to remove beehives completely from the home. 

Say Goodbye To Bees

If you live in the Memphis area 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.

Try to 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 you find that you have an infestation, it’s time to contact a company that can get rid of these pests for good.

Once you discover you have a bee infestation, call us to schedule an appointment or to get a free estimate and we’ll help you get rid of bees once and for all.

Why Are There Bees in My House? Everything You Should Know Serving Mid-South | Millington TN | Memphis Metro Area

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