How to Bee-Proof Your Home Before Spring Arrives

We all love seeing bees and other pollinators out and about in the springtime, and of course, we enjoy the sweet honey that is the fruit of their labors. But when it comes to having bees in or around our homes, we aren’t so keen. Whether for fear of pets being stung, if family members have life-threatening allergies, or if you’re worried about structural damage, it’s a good idea to try to keep bees out of your living areas. Here are some tips on how to achieve that this coming spring, and some steps you can take right now.

Bees In Spring

Bees are sensitive to outdoor temperatures, and when it is below roughly 50-55°F, it’s simply too cold for their flight muscles to work properly. They also aren’t very active because there isn’t much nectar or pollen to forage when temperatures are very low–not much blooms very early in the spring season. 

However, as spring temperatures begin to steadily rise and the sun warms their hives, bees will be venturing outside, both for cleansing flights and to look for food and water. As spring progresses, the number of bees begins to grow as the hive naturally expands with growing resources now available. Oftentimes, hives will become overcrowded. A new, younger queen will then take up to half the colony and fly off to find a new home. 

Since spring is the swarming season for bees, it’s vital that by this point, you have already secured your home against their entry. If bee scouts feel that your attic, crawlspace, eaves, or other location in or around your home is ideal for their new hive, it can be hard to keep them away. Now is the time–before the swarming season–to take some simple steps that will protect your home against invasion.

How To Bee-Proof Your Home

To bee-proof your home, you need to first think like a bee. Look for protected areas or very small openings that lead to internal cavities–attics, crawlspaces, and hollow areas between walls, floors, and ceilings. 

These are some common nesting sites for bees:

• Hollow trees/logs
• Wall cavities/attics
• Chimneys/vents
• Sheds/garages
• Underside of decks/porches
• Inside door/window frames

Seal Openings

Bees are small insects, and they only require an opening of 1/8" to crawl through. Check around windows and doors for gaps, as these are prime areas that bees use to gain entrance to your home. Replace old weatherstripping or install it if it is missing. Metal thresholds and door sweeps can also help to keep insects of all kinds, including bees, from entering your home. Add a bead of caulk around window and door frames, and seal any small openings you find in the general area. Also, repair or replace window screens that are damaged and ensure that screen material is tucked in all the way around–even the smallest of openings can let bees through. Other areas to check are any damaged spots in exterior siding, foundation cracks, gaps around exterior fixtures, ventilation to the attic, and access points for utilities, like cable, water, and electric lines.

Clean Up Debris

A cluttered yard and property can provide ample sites for bees to set up shop. If areas are rarely bothered, bees will seek that space out, as they can find it to be safe for nesting. Unused equipment, toys, tools, or other yard debris can also end up serving as a home for swarming bees. And since in spring, bees are looking for quick and easy food sources, make sure that garbage is contained. Any shallow structure that holds water should also be removed, as it can serve as a water source for bees in spring, followed by a breeding ground for mosquitoes in summer.

Remove Old Hives

Spring swarming bees can be drawn to old nesting sites, thanks to the pheromones that are left behind from previous inhabitants. If you have dealt with having bees in your home in the past, it’s worth double-checking that any remains are thoroughly cleaned out. Swarming bees can pick up on even trace amounts of bee-specific signaling molecules and home in on your living spaces to make them their own. Winter is the best time to do this, before bees start looking for new homes. That said, you should always wear protective equipment, just in case.

Cover Vents

Ventilation pipes for sewer, natural gas, exhaust fans, laundry, and HVAC lines can all be access points for bees who are looking for an easy way into your home. Thoroughly covering any areas that need to maintain steady air flow with mesh or screen material is a good way to keep insects out without blocking necessary ventilation systems. Other openings, like rain spouts, are also worth covering with mesh to prevent hive formation during dry spells. Chimneys must also be properly sealed off from insects while still preserving air flow.

Edit Landscaping

If you do not wish to attract bees to your home, then it’s a good idea to plan your landscaping carefully. If you already have established plants in your garden beds, pay attention to which ones attract bees. In late winter or very early spring, during the typical dormant season, it’s a great time to relocate these plants further away from your home, or to share them with a friend or neighbor. Bees are generalist foragers, meaning that they will utilize just about any flower that offers nectar and pollen and that is easily accessible. That said, certain plants attract them more than others. Your local beekeeper association or wildlife group can give you pointers on which commonly found plants are most likely to bring bees close to your home. Ensure that you regularly trim plantings to prevent nesting in concealed areas.

Conduct Regular Inspections

Once you’ve taken all the above steps to bee-proof your home, you’re set for life, right? Not exactly. Damage happens throughout the year, materials degrade, plants grow, and so vigilance is needed to ensure that your home is always fortified against invading insects. You can see for yourself some of the spots that hives have chosen to set up home by viewing our Honey Bee Photo Gallery. Regular inspections are key to preventing this. Late winter and early spring are good times to survey your home and do any necessary maintenance. A visual inspection during summer will help you to locate entry points if you do suspect that bees are living in your home. And fall or winter inspections on warm days can also help you to pinpoint where bees are overwintering, as they may leave the hive when the temperature rises above 50-55°F.

Choose Professional Honey Bee Removal in Cleveland

Hopefully, this article gave you some ideas on how to secure your home against bees and other insects that become more active in the spring season. If, while implementing these tips, you happen to find an active hive, please leave it be and call a professional bee exterminator in Cleveland. DIY removal is never a good idea and is always risky, both to your health and your property. 

No matter the time of year, if you’re in need of bee control in Cleveland, call on the professional team at Cleveland Bee Removal–we’re here to help! We advocate for ethical honey bee removal and relocation, whenever possible. We can also offer specific pointers on how to prevent their return. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to schedule an appointment.