As much as you want to appreciate how cool nature is, you sometimes have no other options when it comes to pesky insects but to get rid of them.
And sure, sometimes you can co-exist peacefully with even the most bothersome of bugs. But when it comes to bumble bees, they can definitely become a nuisance.
In some cases, bumble bees will attack to defend their nest. For people who are sensitive to bee stings, this can be a real worry once a nest is discovered.
Of course, bumble bees aren’t all bad. They serve a valuable purpose in their ecosystem – but that doesn’t mean they can’t serve that purpose somewhere other than your backyard!
Is it a Good Idea to Get Rid of Bumble Bees Near Your Maryland Home?
Why Bumble Bees are Beneficial
Bumble bees are more than just cute flower harvesters with a pointy end. They are social insects that live in a nest that can contain anywhere from 50 to 400 bees at a time.
The main reason bumble bees are so beneficial to humans is the fact that they’re super effective pollinators of fruits and vegetables. And when these plants are pollinated, their production is increased along with the size and quality of their crops.
Because of this, some Maryland farmers (especially those who grow tomatoes) pay a fortune for bumble bee nests. They even invest in bumble bee nest boxes that attract queens to establish a colony in the box near their fruits and vegetables.
You’re probably thinking: But aren’t most other types of bees pollinators?
While you aren’t wrong, scientists have only recently discovered that different bee species are better adapted to pollinating certain plants than others. Here are a few other things we know about bumble bee pollination:
- Bumble bees use a technique called buzz pollination that shakes the pollen from the flower, which makes for superb pollen gathering.
- Some types of bumble bees have exceptionally long tongues, which allow them to pollinate plants other species of bees can’t access, like beans, peas, and red clover.
- Bumble bees have especially furry bodies. Their coats can easily pick up pollen – even more than the coats of honey bees!
- Bumble bees pollinate more flowers per bee than honey bees.
- Bumble bees have long seasons. They’re among the first bees to emerge each year, and sometimes forage all the way to November. The earliest and the latest crops benefit from this tremendously!
On top of their effective pollination, bumble bees are actually quite docile creatures. They do not damage brickwork or wood like some insects, nor do they burrow holes in your yard.
Bumble bees also have a direct impact on the global ecosystem. Some experts believe that agriculture as we know it would collapse without their contributions to pollination.
Some of the crops that are specifically tied to bees include:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupes
- Cashews
- Coffee
- Cranberries
- Cucumbers
- Eggplants
- Grapes
- Kiwis
- Mangoes
- Okra
- Peaches
- Pears
- Peppers
- Strawberries
- Tangerines
- Walnuts
- Watermelons
Who would want to live in a world without these crops?
That’s why we at Brody Brothers Pest Control encourage you to leave bumble bee colonies near your home alone if the bees are not harming your family and pets. There are ways of reducing the chance of attracting them to your home altogether, like keeping your yard clean of debris.
Usually, the only time they pose a threat to you is if you have aggravated them somehow. Unfortunately, this is often how bumble bee nests are discovered. For example, you may be doing your spring lawn maintenance and run over a nest with your lawn mower!
If that happens, you may start to seriously consider bumble bee pest control. This may not be entirely necessary if the colony is under control, but there are definitely reasons why you may want to have them removed.
When Maryland Homeowners Should Remove a Bumble Bee Nest
Bumble bees are fascinating creatures, but sometimes you have no choice other than to have them removed.
If they didn’t pose any threat at all, they might not be a problem – but their stings can be pretty painful – and sometimes life-threatening.
And unlike some other bee species, bumble bees do not die after they sting you. This means that if they feel threatened, they can sting repeatedly. Just imagine what it might be like if you had multiple bumble bees attacking at once!
That doesn’t sound too pleasant, does it?
That’s why removing the nest yourself can be tricky – you practically need a suit of armor to fend off their stings when they defend their territory!
Bumble bees like to make their nests in abandoned rodent hills or thick clusters of grass. Sometimes they will inhabit bird houses, upturned plant pots, or crawlspaces beneath sheds or porches.
If you discover a bumble bee nest in your Timonium, MD property, you may just be tempted to follow the philosophy of “live and let live.” In that case, you’ll have to put up some clear markers like flags or fencing to keep your family and friends from approaching the nest.
However, you may you may need to have a bumble bee nest removed quickly if:
- You have small children who play in the area of the nest
- You have outdoor pets that might be put in danger of being attacked by the bumble bees
- The area of the bumble bee nest sees heavy foot traffic because it is a recreational area or occupied structure
- The area of the bumble bee nest has frequently operating machinery that might irritate the bees
- You are already handling other insect colonies that may become aggressive toward the bumble bees
- Someone you know may be sensitive to bee stings and could have a mild to severe allergic reaction that could lead to a trip to the emergency room
If you run into any of these issues, you truly have no other option than to have the nest removed. It’s a last – but necessary – resort.
That’s when bumble bee pest control enters the equation.
The Brody Brothers Approach to Bumble Bee Pest Control
At Brody Brothers Pest Control, we provide a variety of pest control services to the Timonium, MD area. Because of our experience with all kinds of pests, we recognize the important role bumble bees play in nature and the fact that their numbers are in decline.
Our strategy for removing their nests involves customer education and an individual, personalized approach to each case. Brody Brothers exterminators will identify nest locations and carefully remove them with minimal environmental impact.
Don’t let your pest problem become a crisis! If you have a bumble bee colony on your property and have no choice but to get rid of it, contact our team of experts today.
