Did you spot a bee, an entire swarm, or even a nest in your yard? Despite their positive impact on the environment, seeing bees on your property can be pretty scary; their stings hurt and can be life-threatening for those who are allergic. They can also keep you from doing routine lawn care tasks, like mowing. But don’t panic—here are some concrete steps you can take instead.
How to Handle Bees on Your Property
Find Out Where Bees Are Coming From
Bees can fly a few miles from their hive in search of pollen. So, a bee or two around your property does not necessarily mean the insects have taken shelter there. Still, you may want to consider investigating indoors and outdoors to determine whether there’s a colony on your property.
Search dark, enclosed, and rarely disturbed spaces in your home, as bees prefer contained, protected spaces. Some build their nests in the ground and temporarily in bushes and trees, so you must investigate your yard, too. Be careful when walking around your yard or doing lawn care tasks in Toronto to avoid disturbing a hive.
Do Not Provoke the Bees
Bees only sting when they feel threatened. Stay calm, move slowly, and keep your distance if you see one bee or a stationary swarm on your property to lower the risk of getting stung. If a bee flies close to you, don’t make sudden movements or swat it away.
Leave the bees alone. If the bees made a nest near your lawn, avoid doing lawn care activities that might cause you to disturb the nest accidentally. If you have kids, ensure they don’t play with the colony, like poking it or spraying it with water.
Identify the Insect
It is important to remember that there are many species of bees, not just honeybees. Honeybees are just the most well-known bee species. Canada is home to more than 800 species of native bees, and over 350 can be found in Toronto. Each bee species in Toronto has different characteristics. Most of them do not sting, but others sting aggressively. Treatment approaches also vary depending on the species.
Since it’s not recommended to go near the insect, take a photo from a distance. Zoom in on the photo to see close-up details of the insect’s body and markings. Search online for more information about your findings. If your phone has a Google lens or anything similar, you can use it to easily identify the bee. Call professional beekeepers to confirm what the insect is.
Don’t Try to Remove the Bees Yourself
Sure, there are lots of DIY guides on how to get rid of bees in the backyard. However, unless you are a beekeeper, it’s better not to attempt to remove a beehive yourself. It can put you and the people near the property in danger. For example, some DIY hacks suggest using over-the-counter pesticides or sprays, but you can end up poisoning the environment. There’s also a high chance you’ll get stung in the process.
Call bee removal professionals rather than wasting time and putting yourself and others in danger. Professionals can swiftly and safely remove bees from your property without killing them.
You may even find local beekeepers who will gladly take a hive off your hands, often for little or no cost, because the bees can help them start new colonies or manufacture their own local honey. You can also call bee rescue services available in Toronto. Remember, look for pest control services only as a last resort because of the numerous benefits of bees to the ecosystem.
Stung by a Bee? Here’s What to Do
Remain composed after a bee sting. Bees typically sting only once, but some flying insects can sting multiple times. To prevent more stings, quietly leave the area.
Remove the stinger as soon as possible, being careful not to squeeze the venom sac. Avoid using tweezers, as this could cause the stinger to release more venom. Instead, use the edge of your fingernail or another flat object, like a credit card.
Most people stung by a bee experience pain only where the sting occurs. Increased swelling and redness at the sting site are possible side effects of mild allergic reactions. Traditional first aid methods and over-the-counter medications are frequently used to treat bee stings. After removing the stinger, try one of the following:
- Cold compress: Apply ice around the affected area to lessen pain, swelling, and venom absorption. Use a cloth to create a cold compress since ice can damage the skin with direct contact.
- Honey: This substance (ironically produced by bees!) has a wide range of therapeutic uses. It can help lessen swelling because it contains anti-inflammatory compounds. Honey also contains natural antibacterial agents that may help to prevent infections and speed up healing.
- Toothpaste: It’s believed that toothpaste extracts venom. Mint is also known to have a calming, cool effect. It’s a simple and affordable home remedy worth trying. Apply a small amount to the afflicted region and remove it after 10 to 20 minutes.
- Essential oils: Certain essential oils, like thyme, lavender, and tea tree oils, have antibacterial, antiseptic, or antifungal qualities. They help ward off fungal and bacterial growth close to the bite site.
- Baking soda: A baking soda and water paste can relieve the symptoms of many insect bites and stings. It is thought to lessen swelling and itching by neutralizing bee venom.
Most bee stings cause several hours of localized inflammation before they subside. The area should fully heal in a few days.
If you are allergic to bee stings, it’s crucial to seek medical assistance immediately. Even though severe allergic reactions to bee stings are uncommon, they are still possible. Anaphylaxis is a rare but potentially fatal reaction. It occurs when your body goes into crisis mode due to an overreaction by your immune system to the allergy trigger. It can take minutes for symptoms to appear, or it can take up to half an hour.
Bees and the Ecosystem
Bees and the ecosystem are more closely related than most people realize. Despite their painful and sometimes life-threatening stings, bees are vital to nearly every terrestrial ecosystem, including Toronto’s.
Bees visit flowers to feed on pollen or drink nectar, and as they move from flower to flower, the hairs on their bodies carry pollen grains. This process is called pollination. It may seem insignificant at first glance, but it plays a key role in maintaining the biodiversity on which humans and animals depend for survival. It supports the growth of flowers, trees, and plants, which serve as shelter and food for creatures small and large.
Bees provide so many benefits. Unfortunately, some species are at risk of extinction. So when the temptation to eliminate helpful bees is high, especially when you or your loved one gets stung, think about their role in the ecosystem. Instead of killing the bees, consider helping them survive and move to a more appropriate location. A decision as simple as seeking organic lawn care near you can make a difference for these bees.
Protect the Bees or Keep Them at Bay
Most native species of bees in Canada live in the ground. Many of them don’t sting and are not generally aggressive, which means they pose little to no risk to homeowners. They are still efficient pollinators, so it is best to leave them be. They are only active for a few weeks anyway. Consider supporting them by choosing organic lawn care, as some synthetic products can kill bees. A healthy lawn is a bee-friendly lawn.
LawnMart is here to help you maintain your lawn the natural way, keeping bees at bay without killing them. Feel free to talk to our staff to learn more about our lawn care services or get a free quote.