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What are the Different Types of Bees?

The common bees in Canada mainly fall under four categories/families: Megachilidae, Andrenidae, Halictidae, and Apidae. Some of them, like the leafcutter bees and the miner bees (Andrenidae family), tend to nest on the ground. As their name suggests, the leafcutter bees use cuts from leaves to make their nesting chambers. The sweat bees of the Halictidae family are mainly shiny or metallic in colour. They can be social or solitary. Some of the most recognizable bees in Canada belong to the Apidae family; they include the bumblebees, honeybees, and carpenter bees. Most species are not naturally aggressive. However, especially when attacked, they can sting to defend the colony.

Signs of Bees Infestation

One of the obvious signs that you have bees in your home is seeing them flying around or hearing their sounds. You could also have an infestation if there is the presence of beehives and nests in your building or yard. For species like the miner bees and leaf-cutting bees, you might see semi-circular holes; usually, up to 19mm, cut on leafy vegetation like lilac plants, ash, and rose. If your home is infested with ground-nesting bees, you might see them flying low to the ground. You might also notice areas of dirt and soil excavated near the nest entrance.

Carpenter bees are easier to notice and identify. They create conspicuous holes measuring around 12mm in diameter. The holes could be even larger; the bees also leave visible sawdust behind. If you hear buzzing noises within the walls of your house, carpenter bees could be present. You should not try to get rid of the them on your own to avoid stings instead contact expert pest control professionals.

Preventive Measures from Bees Invading Your Home

You can avoid bee problems by ensuring that they do not gain access to your home in the first place. Unlike wasps, which are generally aggressive, most bee species will only attack when provoked. They can also attack if you access their nesting areas. Different preventive measures will work depending on the type of bee you are dealing with. For leaf-cutter ones, you can protect plants with cheesecloth. You can also use any other barrier you consider ideal. You can discourage carpenter bees from nesting in your home by weather-treating or staining your wood structures. Carpenter bees mainly like to nest on untreated or weathered wood. You must first identify the species you are dealing with to get started.

How Pest Control Can Help with Bee Removal in Toronto

Step 1

The first step is to identify the type of bee present in your home. Professionals could use pesticides, smoke, or other extraction methods to get rid of them The method used for carpenter bees may not work for ground-nesting ones.

Step 2

The removal of the nest itself may involve carpentry work to gain entry and repair structural damage. For the ground-nesting bees, the experts may use smoke or pesticide to repel or kill them.

Step 3

New bees may move into the same place if repairs are neglected or done incorrectly. This indicates that working with a professional company to get rid of the bees, make repairs, and provide a warranty against further infestations is ideal.