Honeybees are essential to the environment. Despite their importance, many people fear bees and try to rid them from their property in permanent and cruel ways. Bee pest control in Waterloo is more about prevention than elimination. From agriculture to the economy, honeybees play a significant role in the ecosystem and human survival.
Importance of Honeybees
Since 20,000 B.C. or earlier, honeybees have played an essential role in civilization. Bees were even shipped from England to the U.S. in 1622 because of their essential role in agriculture. Yes, honeybees are nature’s farmers, contributing to extensive pollination and directly or indirectly influencing your diet. In fact, without honeybees, the global population would decline because of food shortages.
The tiny, flying creatures contribute billions to the global economy, pollinating over 70% of the crops responsible for the world’s food supply. Without the honeybee, the world would struggle immensely. So, avoid extermination whenever possible when using residential pest control.
Honeybees in the Springtime
To avoid residential hives, it is vital to understand how honeybee colonies operate, especially in the spring. After surviving the cold winter on reserves of honey, the bees now need to replenish their supply and repopulate the hive and colony.
The spring is the time for mating and reproducing. The hive needs to rebuild its numbers for the warmer months ahead. Not only will the primary hive need to restock its honey, but other bees will also leave the colony to start new hives.
With populations increasing, worker bees will search for food, visiting up to 2,000 flowers per day. The workers will also gather water to regulate the temperature of the hive.
You can help restore bee populations by being selective about spring weeding and gardening. For example, many homeowners remove dandelions, but these “pesky weeds” are a source of nectar for hives. Leave dandelions until other flowers bloom and provide alternative food sources. Also, plant native flowers and sunflowers, honeysuckles, and daffodils.
Safe Prevention Strategies
While bees are essential to the ecosystem, homeowners may not want hives on their property. Spring is a perfect time to focus on prevention methods because bees are only starting to look for new sites.
Maintaining a well-manicured and kept yard is one way to keep bees away. In the early spring, dandelions represent a significant food source for bees. If you keep your yard cut, you are less likely to have the weed flower growing.
You can also try hanging a brown paper bag in plain sight. Bees are territorial, and a paper bag may resemble a hive enough to deter other colonies.
A mixture of vinegar and water may also deter honeybees. Using a 1:10 white vinegar-to-water solution, spray around your yard and garden. The smell is unattractive to the insects.
Finally, you can try mothballs. Mothballs release odour bees do not like, which may deter them from visiting your garden or establishing a hive on your property.
Professional Pest Control Services
Bee control is essential. While you might appreciate the role honeybees play in the environment and human survival, you do not have to welcome them onto or inside your property. Prevention strategies are the best ways to reduce your risks, but it is often safer and more effective to trust the task to a home pest control service.
A pest control service will prioritize your family’s safety while discouraging colonization of your yard or house. If you are concerned about bees this spring, contact Truly Nolen Canada and schedule a property assessment. The company will send a team to your home to determine the appropriate prevention strategies to reduce your risks.