TAKE THE STING OUT OF YOUR YARD TIPS TO PREVENT AND ELIMINATE BEE AND WASP INFESTATIONS

Transcription

1 TAKE THE STING OUT OF YOUR YARD TIPS TO PREVENT AND ELIMINATE BEE AND WASP INFESTATIONS Prepared by:

2 Bees and wasps are the most common stinging insects. They can harass you, your children, your pets, and anyone near your home. Most people know too well the sharp pain that comes from a bee or a wasp sting, and so you don t want them around your property. If there are bees, wasps, or other stinging insects in your home or yard, it can feel like a war zone. These little, flying pests make their homes in your yard or walls and sting when anyone comes too close. At the same time, these insects are essential parts of the ecosystem, so it is important to preserve their vulnerable populations. Call in a pest control expert to get these pests out of your yard in a safe, environmentally responsible way. Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) have the tools, training and equipment necessary to rid your home and yard of bees and wasps. Let this ebook be a guide to you as you decide the best course to take to get rid of these pests. 2

3 THE PROBLEM: INSECTS TERRORIZING YOUR HOME AND YARD Bees, wasps, and other stinging insects can be a huge problem in your home and yard. Their stinging and swarming can be painful and even dangerous. Each insect is a little different from the others, both in appearance and habits. Bees There are well over 20,000 species of bees in the world. Different species of bees build their nests in different places, most commonly underground, in hollow spaces, or burrowed in walls. Bees are essential in the ecosystem; plants cannot pollinate themselves so they need bees to do the work for them. Without bees, plant life simply cannot continue. Bee populations are dwindling, which is why it is incredibly important to get rid of them properly, without wiping out the hive. Wasps Try to think of wasps as beneficial insects to your home and yard. When they aren t stinging, which they rarely do, they prey on other insects, primarily pests. Obviously, wasps are a hazard if they are in an area where they will encounter and sting the people or pets of your home. In a high traffic area such as on a deck or a fence gate they can be a terrible nuisance. In such cases, a PMP should be called in. 2

4 Other Stinging Insects Other bee-like insects include hornets and yellow jackets. Both of these insect families prey on other bugs. One or two hornets or yellow jackets can keep your garden free of insect pests that destroy your plants. Just like wasps, though, these stinging insects can inflict a painful sting if they are agitated by humans. You, your family, and your pets are in danger of being stung if they run across an angry or protective hornet or yellow jacket. Nests and Hives These outdoor pests build their nests and hives in a wide variety of places. A sample of the types of places you may find a wasp nest or beehive includes: Under a concrete slab In a tree Inside a wall In the eaves of a roof Inside an attic On a fence Under or on a deck In a hollow tree You can find a nest or hive anywhere that a scout bee or wasp thinks will be a safe place for the colony. When you notice one or two insects flying around, thoroughly check your home and yard to find the source. 3

5 Prevention Prevent bees from making your house their home by following these tips: Remove potential nesting materials (wood, paper, etc.) Paint and stain wood Seal points of entry into your home Frequently inspect your home and yard Reduce outdoor clutter Remove food products, including pet food, food left outdoors, and fallen fruit from trees Use a commercial or homemade trap Use a deterrent that does not kill the insects but repels them A PMP can help you understand further prevention tips. They can advise you on ways to prevent recurring infestations. Some PMPs may recommend return visits on an annual or semi-annual basis. Frequently giving your home and yard a once over is the best way to have ongoing pest prevention. As there is no such thing as permanent prevention, vigilance is the key to keeping any insect or pest problem under control. 4

6 THE SOLUTION: PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS (PMPS) If you notice bees, wasps, or other stinging insects the first thing to do is call in an expert. These pests can be harmful and even dangerous if they are agitated by inexpert removal techniques. A PMP can be the only way to properly and permanently get rid of bees and wasps in your home or yard. In some cases of "do it yourself" wasp or bee control, homeowners may get rid of a small nest but are unable to locate the full problem; as such, the swarm comes back full force and the homeowner has to start all over again. Additionally, a pest control professional knows the proper techniques to get rid of your infestation without harming your yard, pets, children, or the bees. Calling in a professional exterminator can rid your home of these hazardous pests for good! Effective Bee and Wasp Control: Get Rid of Them Right The number one reason to call in a PMP is that they have the tools and the experience to rid your home of bees and wasps for good! Thoroughly destroying a bee or wasp nest is the key to really getting rid of these insects. Some visible nests may be easily removed by at-home remedies, but in general bees and wasps are more resilient. A PMP can use the proper materials in order to get rid of the nest for good. 5

7 Nests that are harder to reach whether they are up high, inside the walls, or underground nearly always require professional intervention. A PMP can safely use techniques to get rid of the existing bugs and destroy their nests, without harming vulnerable bee populations. Sometimes multiple visits from an exterminator are required to fully eradicate the problem. This is a normal part of the process, as bees and wasps can be incredibly resilient. Repeatedly destroying new nests and removing any straggling insects is often the best way to ensure that they are gone. Keep Your Family Safe from Stings One of the most important things that a PMP can do is keep your family safe. When bee and wasp nests are threatened, the insects often become agitated, putting people and animals nearby in danger of being stung. Nobody likes being stung by a bee or wasp, but for people with allergies to their venom it can be downright dangerous. Calling in a PMP ensures that the infestation is handled properly, preventing future stings. PMPs have appropriate protective gear to keep them safe, so they will be safe from the pain and venom of a sting. Dwindling Bee Populations Require Extra Care It's true that bees and wasps are necessary parts of the ecosystem, but that sure doesn't make a bee sting hurt any less! When you have a hive or nest in or around your home and yard, stinging and swarming, you want to get rid of these pests as fast as possible. Taking into consideration that bee populations are endangered, it is of utmost importance to call in a professional that can properly remove and relocate them. Simply killing or poisoning bee populations may fix your infestation problem, but there is more at stake, so please do not do that! A professional pest control expert can safely remove bees in a way that keeps your home and the bee populations safe. 6

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