If you have one on your property, then bee hive removal seems like an obvious thing to do. Life can seem a lot more pleasant without bees around. However, before you actually remove the hive, there are questions you need to ask yourself before you actually decide to do it. Keep reading to learn what these questions are.
Is the removal of the bee hive truly necessary? Getting rid of a hive might look like a foregone conclusion, but don’t jump to that conclusion immediately. There are a number of criteria you should use in determining whether or not the hive should even be removed in the first place.
The proximity of the hive to people and pets in the area is a determining factor. If the hive is near or on the home, or very close to a sidewalk where people walk through often, then removing it is usually a good idea, especially if there is a high risk of people or pets getting stung.
If anyone in the proximity is allergic to bee stings, then removal of the hive is an absolute must. Anyone allergic to stings can suffer results ranging from passing out to even death.
Beehives on or inside a home’s structure do need to go. A hive can carry from twenty up to eighty pounds of honey, which unremoved can ruin both ceilings and walls.
On the other hand, if the bee hive is on the edge of a property where it is not really harming anyone, and especially if the bees might be necessary for pollination of plants also nearby, leaving it be is a choice. The national bee population has been in decline, so sparing any local bees that you can might help out the environment.
However, if you are considering bee hive removal, it’s probably because the hive is a nuisance and needs to go, so don’t hesitate. The next question is then whether or not you should do it yourself or call in a professional. If you have the aforementioned allergy to bee stings, do not attempt it yourself under any circumstances.
If you do choose to try it on your own, what gear do you need? For starters, wear clothing that is light in color and smooth in texture. Rough surfaces and dark colors aggravate bees, and you don’t want to do that, allergy or not.
Using the same equipment as professional beekeepers is never a bad idea. Leather gloves and a beekeeper veil come in handy. Using a bee smoker might calm bees down and decrease your chances of a sting. Avoid scents like deodorant or after shave, so you don’t get confused with flowers.
So, when is the best time to remove a hive? Early spring months or late winter are usually the time of year that the population is at its low point. Bees are also typically asleep at night and in the early morning hours.
Now that you know the questions to ask yourself about beehive removal, you can figure out whether or not a hive on your property should go, and whether or not you should do it yourself.
