If you’ve noticed bees or wasps around your property, the first step is figuring out what you’re actually seeing. A few scout bees investigating a vent, a swarm hanging from a tree branch, and an established colony living inside a wall all require very different responses.
In this guide, we’ll explain the most common types of bee and wasp activity homeowners encounter, how to tell the difference between various stinging insects, and what steps you can take to protect your home and family.
Understanding Bee Activity
Swarms
A swarm appears as a temporary cluster of bees, often hanging from a tree branch or structure. Swarms are typically calm and resting while searching for a permanent home.
Swarming is a natural reproductive process of honey bee colonies, and seeing a swarm means there is a large healthy mother colony nearby. Most swarms occur in spring and early summer. Swarms are usually temporary and may remain in one location from a few hours to a few days before moving on. Although thousands of bees may be present, swarms are generally less defensive than established colonies because they have no brood or honey stores to protect. Swarms should still be handled by trained professionals.
Scout Bees
In early season, you may see one or two bees investigating a wall, eave, or vent. These are scouts searching for cavities suitable for a new colony to build a hive. Common locations for scouting include vents, chimneys, irrigation boxes, wall voids, attics, and eaves. Proper bee-proofing can prevent scouts from finding a new spot for their colony to move into. Seeing occasional scounts does not necessarily mean you have a colony, but it can be an early warning sign that bee-proofing repairs are needed.
Established Colony
Consistent traffic of bees entering and exiting a single point in the structure may indicate an active colony. Colonies can grow rapidly and may contain tens of thousands of bees. Honey bees inside structures build wax comb, store honey, and raise brood. Colonies left untreated cause staining, attract pests, and increase removal costs over time. Early intervention is usually less expensive and less invasive than waiting.
When in doubt, call a professional before taking action.
Bees vs. Yellow Jackets
Understanding how to identify which stinging insect you have can help you decide which next steps to take. Correct identification helps determine the urgency, safety risk, and whether professional help is needed. Here’s a quick guide based on behavior, location, and appearance.
Honey Bees
- Fuzzy, golden-brown with black stripes
- A large ball of bees hanging from a tree branch or bugs coming in and out of a hole in the roof
- Colonies grow fast, contain 10,000+ bees and gallons of honey, needs to be fully removed.
- Not DIY. Professional removal required.
Yellow Jackets
- Bright yellow and black, smooth body
- Nest underground or in bushes
- Extremely aggressive and territorial
- Highest health risk and liability. Always call a professional
Paper Wasps
- Brownish with yellow markings, long legs
- Open, umbrella-shaped nests with visible combs
- Mildly aggressive when provoked
- Nest grows quickly. Once it’s bigger than a softball, it’s harder to handle.
Bumble Bees
- Round, fuzzy, black and yellow
- Nest in ground, sheds, or wall voids
- Generally non-aggressive, unless disturbed
- If not posing a risk, should be left alone
Mud Daubers
- Solitary, long-bodied black wasps with thin waists
- Build small, mud-based nests on walls or under eaves
- Very docile, rarely sting
- Safe to remove DIY with a scraper if inactive
After Removal: What’s Normal
You may notice a small number of bees returning to the previous entry point for 1-3 days. This is temporary and does not indicate an active colony.
Repair Guidance
Improper of delayed repairs are the most common reason bees return as honey bees are attracted to locations that have previously housed colonies. Any residual wax, propolis, and hive odors can attract future swarms. Proper cleanup and exclusion are essential to preventing repeat infestations. Depending on the removal, different repairs and bee-proofing may be necessary. If in doubt, contact your removal specialist to determine what repairs are necessary.
We strongly recommend:
- Sand affected surfaces down to bare material
- Paint over with sealing primer
- Fill cavity with insulation
- Fill all gaps larger than 1/8th inch or cover gaps with 1/8th inch hardware cloth
Bee-proofing tip: Honey bees can enter structural cavities through gaps as small as a pencil. Pay particular attention to vents, chimneys, irrigation boxes, and deteriorated fascia. Cover openings with 1/8th inch hardware cloth and fill cavities with insulation.
Common Bee Access Points
Below are some common entry points bees use to gain access to cavities to nest in. Proper bee-proofing doesn’t give bees the chance to move in, saving headaches and money.
Spanish Style Vents
Provide easy access for bees to enter walls or attics.
Irrigation Boxes
Most irrigation box lids have a hole in them that is the perfect size to allow bees to access a cozy box to call home.
Gaps in Siding
Any gap larger than 1/8th inch can allow bees access to voids inside walls.
Tuff Shed Vents
Tuff Sheds have vents along the bottom of the shed that allow bees to nest under the floor of the shed.
Tree Hollows
Tree hollows allow bees to enter hollow trunks or branches. Removing bees from a tree is difficult, and it’s best to avoid bees moving in through proper bee proofing.
Chimney Vents
Chimney vents are often rodent-proofed with quarter inch hardware cloth (as pictured above), but bees can still make it through!
Air Vents
Air vents allow easy access for bees to nest in ducts or wall cavities.
Dryer Vents
Dryer vents allow bees access to wall cavities or your dryer!
Recessed Lighting
Gaps around recessed lighting fixtures allow bees to enter wall voids.
Utility Boxes
Utility box vents give bees access to a cozy protected space to set up a hive.
Proactive Property Protection
Many homeowners prefer a preventative approach rather than emergency response. Options include:
Monthly Swarm Trap Monitoring
A swarm trap is a specifically designed box pplaced on your property to attract bee swarms before they move into your walls, chimney, attics, or other costly locations. Once bees choose the trap, we collect and relocate them safely to our apiary. No damage, no drama.
Yellow Jacket Trap Program
We place yellow jacket traps in strategic locations to mitigate activity on your property. Traps are monitored and rebaited every 10 weeks from February through October to reduce late-summer nesting pressure.
When to Call a Professional
Call if:
- Bees are entering and exiting a structure.
- A swarm has remained in place for more than 24 hours.
- Yellow jackets are nesting near people or pets.
- You are unsure what species you are observing.
- Anyone in the household has a sting allergy.
At Super Bee, we will always offer free information or advice through call, text, or email.
