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Carpenter Ant Pest Control in Portland OR and Vancouver WA

Bees

Bees are a type of flying, stinging insect that are close cousins to the wasp, and, believe it or not, to the ant. Bees play a primary role in the pollination of flowering plants and are crucial participants in the growth of our agricultural products around the world.

Bee Description

Sugar Ant Up-Close View in Portland OR and Vancouver WA

Size

Bees vary in size, but most are found to be about a half-inch to five-eighths of an inch in length.

Color & Appearance

Bees are predominately dark brown or black in color with alternating bands of yellow and dark brown. There are a wide variety of bees in our area, but the most common varieties are honey bees and bumblebees.

What are bees?

Bees are a flying, stinging insect that live in colonies consisting of queens, worker bees, and drones. Queen bees and worker bees are female, whereas the drones are male. Though there are two types of females, only the queens reproduce and laying eggs is their only responsibility. Workers are responsible for maintaining the hive and collecting food. Drones only mate with queens.

How did I get bees?

Since bees are big fans of the nectar and pollen of flowering plants, it’s normally safe to assume that they’ve come to your property because of the flowering plants in your yard. However, sometimes bees will wander onto a property in search of water. Bees love to congregate around sprinkler heads and other pockets of water sometimes found throughout the yard.

What do bees eat?

Bees love nectar and pollen. This is what makes them so crucial to the pollination of agricultural and flowering plants. As they fly from plant to plant, pollen will stick to their bodies, and is used in the pollinatization of other plants. In fact, The Department of Agriculture estimates that bees pollinate up to 80 percent of our agricultural crops.

Where are bees coming from?

Sometimes it’s difficult to see where your bees are coming from. Bumblebees build ground-based nests, whereas honey bees find places like rock crevices or hollow trees to make their nests. Because bees can forage up to two full miles from the hive, it’s often impractical to find the source of bees on your property.

    Still not sure if you’re looking at a bee?

     

    Bee Tips

    Are Bees

    Harmful?

    Are Sugar Ants Harmful Icon
    Bees can be harmful.

    Bees are stinging insects, and, unlike yellow jackets, their stingers are released after they have stung. Additionally, the venom released when they sting can cause pain, swelling, and in some instances very serious allergic reactions. If you or a loved one is allergic to bee stings or has an allergic reaction to being stung, seek medical attention immediately!

    Under normal circumstances bees that are foraging on flowers in the yard are non-aggressive and will usually leave people alone as long as they don’t get too close to the hive or come into direct contact with a foraging worker. The honey bee and bumble bee’s more docile nature is in sharp contrast to their more aggressive wasp, yellow jacket, and hornet counterparts.

    Are bees

    SEASONAL?

    Are Sugar Ants Seasonal Icon
    Bees are most active as flowers are blooming in the spring and summer months.

    Bees will become more active as flowers begin to bloom in the spring, and their activity will heighten based on the volume of flowering plants at a given time. Queens are the only to survive during the overwintering period. Some queen honey bees remain active all winter long.

     

    can i treat bees

    on my own?

    DIY Sugar Ant Treatment Icon
    We do not recommend DIY bee treatment.

    Treating your home and property for stinging insects requires the right experience and equipment to ensure that the job can be done safely and effectively.

    At Aspen Pest Control, we believe it’s our responsibility to be good stewards of the environment, and given the crucial roles of bees, that philosophy extends to the bee populations in our area. That said, if you or a loved one is allergic, or if bees have occupied your home, we will help you find an appropriate solution to your problem.

    This may involve helping you find a beekeeper that is willing to relocate the hive. Other times, if the bees have infested a structure, the only viable option may sometimes be professional bee removal. 

    Bee pest control with guaranteed results

     

    Why should I call professional pest control?

    At Aspen Pest Control, our team of bee specialists has earned the respect of your friends and neighbors due to our commitment, experience, and belief in delivering a job well done. With the countless services we have provided over the years, we’ve earned the trust of our community and a reputation for the ability to be thorough and attentive with the services and recommendations we provide.

    Move plants for bee relocation

    If you should choose to want bee pest control for your home, this might require considerations beyond standard pest control services. Certain flowering plants attract bees more than others, and the removal of these plants may discourage their presence.

    Better understand bee activity on your property

    Sometimes it’s difficult for homeowners to discern the difference between less aggressive and highly beneficial honey bees and more aggressive wasps and yellow jackets, the latter of which normally warrant professional treatment. Aspen can help you identify the problem you’re experiencing and create a plan to manage the issue in a way that is environmentally friendly and respects the local honey bee and bumble bee populations.

    Bee Treatment

    1

    INSPECT

    Due to the more difficult to locate nature of bumblebee and honey bee hives, a thorough inspection is absolutely necessary. Our team is well-versed in how to handle bee populations responsibly, and will spend the time necessary in order to understand your problem.

    Aspen Pest Control Technician Treating the Floorboards of a Portland OR Home

    2

    Apply products

    Again, our philosophy is to be good stewards of our bee friends due to the crucial role they play to our environment. However, if it is deemed necessary to remove the bees from your property, we will still remain true to that ethos by applying products that are environmentally, kid-, and pet-friendly.

    Aspen Pest Control Technician Treating a Vancouver WA Yard with Green Pest Control Product

    3

    ONGOING OBSERVATION

    Getting rid of all pests doesn’t always happen in one quick treatment. And sometimes pests come back. In order to do the best job for you, we believe that ongoing observation of your problem areas is key to ensure the long-term management of your pests. Learn more about our Home Protection Plan.

    Aspen Pest Control Technician Setting Pest Bait Trap While Talking to Vancouver WA Homeowner

    Secure your home from bees 

     

    Aspen Pest Control Technician Giving a Free Pest Control Consultation to Vancouver WA Homeowner

    Your Satisfaction Guaranteed

    We want you to live a life that is stress-free and pest-free, and at Aspen Pest Control, we know that the latter can make the former true! If you have a pest infestation, are curious about long-term pest control, or simply want a free quote, then give us a call! We’d be proud to show you why we’re the preferred choice of so many in our community for all of their pest control needs.

    Call Aspen Pest Control today and get rid of your bee problem.

    Talk with an expert pest control technician 

     

    Vancouver Office:

    360.859.9090

    12104 NE 95th St.

    Vancouver, WA 98682

     

    Portland Office:

    503.405.4300

    8305 SE Monterey Ave

    Suite 220 Q

    Happy Valley, OR 97086

    Mailing Address:

    19215 SE 34th St

    Suite #106-155

    Camas, WA 98607

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