Valentines Day is looming near, and while love is in the air, take a few moments to show some love to bees. Our lives (and the whole world as a whole) would be a much different place if bees did not exist. Bees are responsible for pollinating about 1/6th of all flowering plants, and over 400 different types of agricultural plants.
While bees serve a vital part to our earth, Buzz Kill Pest Control also recognizes the dangers of a beehive or overpopulation of bees found in and around homes and pets. Bees can also be found in the wild, in hollow trees or in wall voids. Many of these insects are aggressive in nature and often sting as a way to protect their colonies – that is why it is important to use a professional bee and pest control service when dealing with these types of stinging insects.
But first, let’s take a look at what exactly bees do for us on earth:
Different Types Of Bees And Their Benefits
Worldwide, there are over 25,000 different types of bee species – this huge number is divided into 4,000 genera of bees, and then subdivided into nine families:
- Andrenidae
- Apidae: the most well known family, with familiar members such as the honeybee, carpenter bee and bumblebee.
- Dasypodaidae
- Halictidae: typically referred to as “sweat bees.”
- Megachilidae: commercially used for plant fertilization as they “steal” pollen collected by other bees.
Meganomildae - Melittidae
- Stenitritidae
Pollination is essentially plant reproduction. Bees tend to focus their energies on one species of plant at a time. Without help from our bee pollinators, our every day food supply would look much different – at least one third of which we’ve come to rely on would no longer be available.
A few of the foods that would no longer be available to us if bees ceased pollinating: broccoli, asparagus, cantaloupes, cucumbers, pumpkins, blueberries, cranberries and cherries. And, of course, honey. Honey is intended to be the bees winter food storage, it is created by the passing of nectar from one bee to the next via mouths before depositing in the honeycombs.
Bees Benefit The Environment Around Them
By keeping flowers pollinated, bees perpetuate floral growth and provide attractive habitats for other animals like insects and birds. Bees are critical to successful pollination and a healthy food system.
One of the prime suspects of bee die-offs is a dangerous new group of pesticides called neonicotinoids – which can be found in pet flea treatment and lawn care products. They are believed to damage the immune system of bees.
When Bees Become A Problem, Trust Buzz Kill
The most effective method of pest control is hiring a professional pest control company in case you experience a bee problem around your home and need proper removal. All honeycomb inside structures should be removed to avoid any issues with honey damaging the surroundings. This includes honey stained damage to walls and other pest problems such as beetles and inviting bee swarms moving ahead. Scheduling a pest control service visit as part of your regular home maintenance can prevent a future pest problem and/or treat a current pest problem that you may not have been aware of – contact us at Buzz Kill Pest Control today to get started!