Why Winter Is the Best Time to Remove Old Bee or Wasp Nests

Whether the fallen leaves have just exposed a gigantic specimen or you’ve been eyeing a huge wasp’s nest all summer and fall, now is the best time of the year to remove them. Let’s get into the what, why, and how of wasp nest removal, with your friendly neighborhood wasp exterminator in Cleveland.

Wasps and Bees In Winter

While honeybee colonies spend all season building up their food stores and readying for winter, wasps live more in the moment. Unlike honeybee colonies that survive cold temperatures and have strategies in place to keep warm, wasp colonies die out each year. Typically, only the young, mated queen wasp survives hibernation, ready to start building next year’s colony when spring temperatures begin to warm. On the other hand, unless they’ve swarmed and vacated their nest, honeybees will be inside, tending to the queen and keeping the colony safe.

A common question we get asked is, “Will wasps return to their old nest?” And the answer is no–next year’s queen will seek out her own ideal place for her new colony. That said, wherever this year’s nest is located is likely a good spot from a wasp’s point of view, so you may continue to see nests in that location, even if you remove this year’s structure. When it comes to bees, the answer is different. Honey bees will often reuse available, empty hives, tree cavities, or areas in and around your home if the location is still suitable. In fact, the smell of old honey can end up attracting them to the site–just one more reason why removal is important.

Why Remove Wasp and Bee Nests In Winter?

The first question is, should you remove wasp and bee nests at all? If we’re talking about a wildlife preserve, then no, there is no need to remove old nests. In fact, birds and small animals may do the job for you, looking for any remaining larvae or residual honey as a nutritious winter snack. But in residential or commercial areas, it is recommended that you remove old wasp and bee nests.

Some wasp nests are covered in a paper layer of sorts. If that is located in the eaves, attic or crawlspace of a building, often in close proximity to electrical lines, it can pose a real fire risk. And if you are having renovations or repairs done, many contractors will not want to work around a wasp nest, whether it’s inhabited or not. You could also risk secondary infestations should other critters decide to take up residence in the nest or find that the nest makes good material to use when building their own homes. Rodents can be especially problematic when it comes to reusing material from wasp nests. They’re resourceful, we’ll give them that, but no one wants rodents around.

The situation is much the same with underground yellow jacket nests. If you’ve marked where they were living during the warmer months, once you’ve had some deep freezes, the colony should be gone, and excavation and removal are possible. Again, the material they live behind and any remaining larvae can end up encouraging other pests and rodents to move in.

Removing honey bee nests is a more serious issue, since there may be live bees inside. However, if your area sees freezing temperatures, honey bees are largely immobile when it gets very cold. This is always a job that should be done by a professional honey bee removal expert, and there may be less inherent threat or risk during winter, making it a good time to schedule an appointment. Bees don’t hibernate, but their reduced metabolic activity means that they are solely focused on survival–conserving warmth and resources. If you are doing work on your home and discover overwintering bees, you definitely need the help of a bee removal specialist.

How To Remove Wasp and Bee Nests In Winter

To know what to do when removing your wasp nest, you first need to know whether you’re dealing with wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, honey bees, or some other flying insect. Understanding the differences between them is key to your approach. Whether colonies overwinter or die in the fall will impact how you handle removal.

Regardless of what type of insect you’re dealing with, however, it is always best to consult with someone experienced in bee control in Cleveland prior to making any moves. You will find plenty of advice online about using pesticides to ensure that any lingering residents are killed prior to removal, but these pesticides are best used by a trained, experienced, and licensed pest removal professional. Stay safe and contact Cleveland Bee Removal. 

Your Wasp Exterminator In Cleveland

Most insects are gone till spring–now is the perfect time to remove the nests they leave behind! But if that nest is in a high or precarious position, in a hard-to-reach spot, like an eave or crawlspace, or even between the floors or walls of your home, don’t risk it–call in an expert. The team at Cleveland Bee Removal has the needed experience to safely and efficiently remove wasp and bee nests from your property. If there are still insects living within the nests, we have the proper licenses and know-how to deal with those as well. Now is the time to prevent next year’s invasion–contact us to remove old bee or wasp nests and start spring strong.