It may seem tempting to leave a bee or wasp nest alone, especially if the colony is keeping to itself and not causing any problems. This may be the case…for now. As bees build their nests (which can take several months) and establish a colony, they are, by all appearances, docile. It’s after the nest is established that they become more territorial, after all they now have something to protect and when pushed, they can be very aggressive about it.

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Florida homeowners can take a proactive approach towards bee and wasp colonies by bee-proofing their home, lawn, and gardens. While bees can nest anywhere, there are certain areas that are more attractive than others. Bees and wasps typically prefer a nesting area with easy access that is mostly shaded. Such areas of prime real estate include water meters, pipes, or gutters on a house. Even a grill cover that’s been thrown on for the winter can make a cozy habitat for a nest. It’s important to note these areas around your home and do regular inspections to look for the beginning of a nest.

If you hear the telltale buzzing of a bee or wasp colony, do not try to fix the problem on your own. These creatures carry a painful, and sometimes deadly punch, and they’re not afraid to use it. Ensure your safety, and the safety of your family, by contacting the professionals at Apex.

Apex provides a variety of treatment plans to efficiently control your bee or wasp problem. One of our friendly Tampa pest control technicians will come in and complete a full inspection, identify the nesting site, remove the pests, and create a long-lasting preventative plan. Contact Apex today and we’ll stop by for a free inspection and configure the most effective strategy to remove the bee or wasp colony before they make your house their home. We provide a variety of service options to fit your individual needs, including monthly, every-other-month, and quarterly care.

The Honeybee
(Apis)

Honeybees are attracted to sugar sources like those found in flower nectar and berries. The honeybee can only sting once and then it dies. While the honeybee is not a particularly aggressive bee, it can be dangerous to anyone with a bee sting allergy.

With the continuing expansion of the Africanized honey bee in Florida and in the interest of public safety, the state is officially recommending that feral honey bee colonies (those that are not managed by a beekeeper) be removed by a pest control specialist or a registered beekeeper. It is especially important if the nest is near an area frequented by people and/or pets.

If you find your home being overtaken by a honeybee colony, contact Apex Pest Control. We’re family-owned and operated, so we understand the importance of protecting your family from honeybee invaders. Our experts will remove these pests before they’re able to inflict their painful, and potentially deadly, sting.

The Africanized Bee
(Apis Mellifera Scutellata)

Sometimes the best of intentions create the worst of circumstances. In the 50’s, honeybees from Africa were introduced in Brazil to mate with the resident European bees with the hope that the resultant bees would be better suited to Brazil’s tropical environment. It was supposed to be a controlled experiment. As any follower of Murphy and his law could have predicted, things did not go as planned. The bees got loose. They mated and over the last four decades, they’ve been expanding north and have reached the U.S.

So, how does this affect the average homeowner? While the physical characteristics of the common European honeybee and the Africanized bee may be similar, it’s their temperament that cause a problem. Africanized bees are aggressive and will defend their nest, and a large area around it, with vigor. This can be a problem for anyone with bee sting allergies or a general dislike of painful bee stings, which is most of us.

Servicing Florida coast to coast, the professionals at Apex know exactly how to deport this invasive species. We take aggressive pest removal very seriously. Our customers, and their comfort and safety, are our top priority. If you think that a colony of Africanized bees are taking up residence on your property, do not hesitate to contact Apex Pest Control immediately for the safety and wellbeing of your family!

The Carpenter Bee
(Xylocopa)

Carpenter bees, like carpenter ants, favor living in old wood, like tree stumps or old fallen tree limbs. They will excavate tunnels and chew out nesting areas in these abandoned bits of wood but they are also happy to establish themselves in the wood of your home. While carpenter bees are not typically aggressive toward people and pets, their drilling habits can weaken the structural integrity of wood framing, leading to costly repair bills.

Don’t let carpenter bees reconstruct your house. Apex is here to decommission all carpenter bee projects and remove them. A free inspection will allow one of our expertly trained technicians to determine the damage done and plan the most efficient solution. Call Apex Pest Control and schedule service today.

The Yellow Jacket
(Vespula)

You’re likely well aware of these distinctive yellow insects that zoom around trash bins and other well-populated areas during the summer and fall time, putting a damper on your fun outdoor activities. You might also have been on the receiving end of their painful sting at one point or another.

Yellow jackets are an aggressive wasp that will not hesitate to defend its territory. Experts generally acknowledge that two species reside in Florida — the eastern yellow jacket (Vespula maculifrons) and the southern yellow jacket (Vespula squamosa).

These wasps are generally beneficial, as they prey on ants and other pests to keep an ecosystem healthy. However, their colonies can grow to dangerously high numbers in human-populated areas, and some species’ colonies include up to 15,000 individual insects in the right circumstances. Their persistent presence often facilitates the need for wasp nest removal services.

Yellow jackets will set up their homes above or below ground, making it difficult to track down their exact whereabouts. Start by carefully checking structural voids around your home, like the corners of your carport or a dip in the foundation. Sheds, garages, rodent burrows, outdoor garbage cans, and bushes are also common hiding spots.

Yellow jacket stings can be deadly for some people, which means that you shouldn’t waste any time when dealing with the problem. These insects might be tough, but our wasp nest exterminators are tougher and are well-equipped to give you top-quality solutions.

Hornet and Mud Daubers
(Vespa and Sceliphron Caementarium)

Hornet is a general term that usually refers to wasps that nest above ground, while yellowjackets typically nest underground. Vespa and Vespula are closely related and share similar behaviors, making it difficult to pinpoint the identity of your resident pest. Our wasp nest exterminators can quickly differentiate between these types and craft an appropriate plan of action to handle your circumstances.

Many hornet species live in colonies that can range from hundreds to thousands of individuals. While these wasps can be beneficial by killing some insects that attack plants, they can also be dangerous when nesting near a home or a high-traffic area. Hornets can become very aggressive if they feel threatened and unlike the honeybee that can only sting once, hornets can sting multiple times.

Suffice it to say, hornets are not to be trifled with, but hornets have met their match in the expertise and experience of Apex’s hornet removal specialists. With one of Apex’s free same-day inspections, we’ll find the best way to send those pesky pests packing.

Another possible home invader who packs a painful sting is the mud dauber. Mud daubers are long black wasps that don’t typically live in large colonies and are not too aggressive. They do, however, tend to nest close to areas where people congregate and can become a nuisance. And while these guys may not be aggressive, they will inflict a painful sting when threatened.

Avoid the hassle of handling these arthropods. Apex Pest Control is more than happy to step in. We offer pest control, termite control and lawn care in the following service areas: Brevard, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami-Dade/Broward County, and Palm Beach County.  We provide a professional service with a personal touch. With over a hundred years of combined experience, we guarantee full satisfaction with your hornet and mud dauber pest removal service.