While many of us fear bees and other stinging insects, these insects are essential for the health and productivity of our planet. Honey bees are crucial in terms of pollinating many of the plants we rely on for food. With their furry yellow and black striped bodies, it can be difficult to tell different species of wasp and bee apart but it’s vital that we do so to protect those species that are crucial to food production and eradicate those that are potentially harmful.

Let’s explore some of the most common bee species found in Canada and the best approach to them with regards to residential pest control services. These are the three most common bee and wasp species in Canada:

Honey Bees

Honey bees are attractive insects with their fat, hairy bodies and stocky hind legs. While not native to Canada, they have been around since the 17th century, when they were introduced for both wax and honey. While these bees are social insects and live in large groups, they only sting for defensive reasons and can sting only once.

Honey bees form large swarms when the queen bee takes her workers to find nectar or locate a new home. The best approach to such a situation is to apply the same rules as you would when confronted with any potentially dangerous animal or insect – stay alert and keep your distance. If honey bees do settle in your home, contact a company that uses professional residential pest control services, like Truly Nolen. Remember that we need these insects to survive so they need to be removed carefully.

Bumble Bees

Twice the size of the honey bee, there are 20 different species of these big buzzy insects that are native to North America. Like their cousins the honey bee, bumble bees are important pollinators. Fortunately, they usually nest underground so are less likely to build a hive in your home. Nevertheless, they can be aggressive and will pursue anyone threatening their nest.

While bumble bees are unlikely to take up residence in your home, they sometimes nest in attics or on patios or decks. If you see a lot of bees around your home, call a company offering residential pest control service to remove them. There are some simple steps you can take to prevent them from invading your space:

• Keep sweet foods, drinks, and meat in sealed containers
• Remove garbage regularly
• Keep your lawn in good condition to prevent bare earth which can be attractive to insects that nest in the ground
• Regularly trimming back vegetation around the home to minimize potential nesting areas.

Carpenter Bees

With their shiny, dark bodies, this species is easy to differentiate from the important pollinators discussed above. These solitary insects make their homes in wood, meaning they can cause extensive damage to wooden structures. Active in the spring and summer, they can give you a nasty sting as well as posing a threat to your property. By burrowing into decks, wooden beams, outdoor furniture and wooden door or window frames, they can compromise the structural integrity of your home.

One simple way to deter Carpenter bees is by painting any wooden structures and furniture. Similarly, make sure you plug any holes that become visible with steel wool or wood putty. If carpenter bees are a recurring problem, then professional, year-round residential pest control services can help contain the problem and rid your building of these potentially destructive critters.

If you’re currently experiencing issues with bees or wasps on your property, getting in touch with a company like Truly Nolen is your absolute best course of action.