You may have seen a particular email story that has gone around the internet that shows a covered gas grill that a homeowner went to use. They saw bees going under the grill cover and heard loud buzzing sounds. They then fashioned a bug bomb spray can to a rake and put it under the grill cover to in hopes to smoke out and suffocate the bees.

The smoke bomb worked and resulted in a heap of dead bees. And when the homeowner removed the grill cover, they found honeycombs and thousands of dead bees.

While these pictures were taken by a homeowner and pest control was also performed by them, this is not an ideal way of going about taking care of bees.  This person was lucky that they did not disturb this hive too badly in their attempt to control the bees, and while the pictures turned out great, the story could have been a different one.

This hive was probably about 4 to 6 weeks old.  And there were probably around 5000 dead bees, and maybe 25 to 40 pounds of honeycomb and honey.  If this hive would have went undisturbed for much longer more of the honey comb would have been filled with honey, there would have been even more combs built, including inside the grill. 

I have seen this same type of hive in barbeques & grills numerous times and have removed as much as 15 gals of honey and honeycomb from the underside of a BBQ! 

Always remember to look for bees flying around your barbeques, covered patio furniture, or even their outdoor storage units before they open them up or remove the covers. If you hear something do not try this on your own, a professional highly trained in bee nest and swarm removal should be used. Most of the bees of Arizona are aggressive bees and can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. These bees may attack not only you, but neighbors, pets and children.

A swarm of aggressive bees stung at least one person multiple times near 11th Avenue and Bell Road in north Phoenix and forced neighbors in the surrounding area to remain indoors recently.

The hive was apparently located in a wood pile at a home. It is unknown what disturbed the hive, but the bees attacked two people. One was treated at the scene and then transported to a local hospital, said Deputy Chief Frank Salomon, spokesman for the Phoenix Fire Department. The other person was not seriously hurt.

Firefighters had a difficult time killing the bees with foam because the insects were moving quickly through the neighborhood. Firefighters used what is called a reverse 911, asking residents to stay indoors until the hive was under control.

Residents remained inside for at least 45 minutes before firefighters located the hive and a beekeeper was able to stop the bees, Salomon said.

It was unknown how many times the victim was stung. The hive was said to be fairly large.

Original Article Source:  AZcentral.com

Dozens of people were forced indoors when a swarm of bees attacked at a yard sale on a recent afternoon. Glendale Fire Department spokesman Daniel Valenzuela says about 35 people were the yard when the angry bees attacked.

Witnesses say the very aggressive bees were in their hair.

Valenzuela says several people were treated at a hospital. Three adults were stung several times and a child and an infant were stung once each and treated as a precaution.

Firefighters foamed down the hive which was found in an old tire in an adjacent yard.

To eliminate the danger of wasps living under buildings, ledges or in attics, their nests should be knocked down. Insecticides should be used for nests in hard-to-reach areas. Do not try this on your own, a professional highly trained in Bee & Wasp nest removal should be used. Most bees in Phoenix & Tucson areas are aggressive bees and can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. These bees may attack not only you, but neighbors, pest, children and those just passing by as the people at this yard sale unfortunately found out.

Original article source: AZCentral.com

Bee removals are the part of the Invader Bee Management system we call “reactive” bee control. Reactive bee control is the solution to existing bee problems. Trained personnel utilizing Invader Bee Management techniques will solve any active bee problem in the fastest and safest manner possible. The two most common bee problems are dealing with swarms or an established colony.

Swarms

A swarm is a group of bees that is moving through the area searching for a good site to establish a new nest.  Swarms are most commonly seen hanging in a cluster from a tree branch.

Established Colonies

An established bee colony is when the bees have found a nest-site, moved in, and constructed the beeswax combs.  The combs are used to store honey and pollen and are also utilized as a nursery where the bees raise their young.

1. If you see a swarm on your property or find an established colony, do not disturb the bees.
2. Contact Invader Pest Management’s Office.
3. Our trained staff will ask specific questions to aid in solving the bee problem.
4. A bee removal specialist will be dispatched to your location.
5. The bee problem will be quickly controlled by the removal specialist.
6. Invader Pest Management guarantees that your bee problem will be solved.  Invader’s personnel solve the vast majority of bee problems in one treatment.  In the rare event that some bees remain, any further treatments are at no additional cost.

Call Invader Pest Management at 623-435-0228 the next time you encounter a swarm or hive of bees, never attempt to “do it yourself” not this time! Bees are dangerous and not only could you put yourself in jeopardy, but also your neighbors, their children and pets. Only professionals should attempt to perform Arizona Killer Bee removals. 

For a rapid response or BEE Emergency Schedule an appointment on line at www.invader.net – we will be notified immediately and contact you soon.

It should be assumed that all bees are Africanized Bees when encountering wild bees in Arizona. Early in the year, the largest swarms encountered are queens locating new nest sites. At this time, the swarms do not have brood to protect and are not generally aggressive.  If you see a swarm around your home, it is highly likely that it will move on in a day or so without any intervention. If the swarm locates a suitable nesting site such as a hole in a block wall allowing the bees’ entrance to the wall void, they may move inside the wall. It is best to call Invader Pest Management to manage the bees at this point before they are established and have brood to protect. Make sure to fill in the hole —which allowed the bees to take up residence — once they have been removed.

If you encounter bees buzzing around your head, do the following:

1. Stop.
2. Place your hands over your face and look through your fingers.
3. Look around for the hive.
4. Walk briskly away from the hive.

Do not flap or swat at the bees, this is the worst thing you can do!!!

If you are stung or the bees bump you, do the following:

1. Cover your head and face with clothing or your hands.
2. Run to a building or if out in the open run until the bees have abandoned you.

Do not dive into a swimming pool; the bees will wait for you longer than you can hold your breath!!!

Prevention

1. Discourage Africanized bees and wasps by eliminating favorable nest sites. Use an appropriate sealant to fill cracks and holes in walls and trees. Remove any trash or debris that might serve as a shelter, such as overturned clay pots. Ground-nesting insects can be discouraged by allowing the soil to dry out completely, and by mulching or planting a ground cover over large patches of bare ground.
2. Apply paint or varnish to outdoor wooden structures.
3. Consider the water sources in your yard and eliminate the unnecessary ones. Put screens over rainspouts and water meter boxes. A few ounces of pine scented cleaner can be placed into evaporative coolers to discourage insects, and for pet water and birdbaths two tablespoons of vinegar per gallon is somewhat effective.
4. Avoid home entrance by placing insulation around doorframes and sealing window frames.
5. Cover food when eating outdoors.
6. Gather up rotting fruit dropped from trees.
7. Seal garbage cans.
8. Do not aggravate bees or wasps by swatting at them. They can react defensively.
9. Attic vents should be screened.

Call Invader Pest Management at 623-435-0228 the next time you encounter a Swarm or Hive of Bees, Never attempt to “Do it yourself” not this time!  Bees are dangerous and not only could you put yourself in jeopardy, but also your neighbors, their children and pets.  Only Professionals should attempt to perform Bee Removals.  For a Rapid Response or BEE Emergency Schedule an appointment on line at www.invader.net – we will be notified immediately and contact you soon.