Seeing bees around your garden during spring and summer is usually nothing to worry about. Bees play an important role in pollinating gardens, crops, trees and the wider environment.
However, seeing large numbers of bees repeatedly entering the same part of your property could indicate that a colony has established itself nearby.
At BEEKIND™ Pest Control, one of the most common situations we encounter is a homeowner believing they have found a wasp nest when the insects are actually honey bees. This is why correct identification should always come before deciding what to do.
Not every bee colony needs to be removed. The right approach depends on the species, colony location, accessibility, property type, public safety and the condition of the colony.
How Do You Know If You Have a Bee Colony?
A few bees visiting flowers is completely normal. What you should look for is repeated activity around one particular area of the property.
More Bees Around Your Property Than Usual
A sudden increase in bee activity can be the first indication that a colony is nearby. This is particularly worth investigating if the bees are gathering around the building rather than flowers and plants.
Bees Entering and Leaving the Same Area
Watch the bees from a safe distance. If they repeatedly disappear through the same opening in brickwork, roof tiles, fascia boards or another part of the building, there may be a colony inside.
Buzzing Sounds Inside Walls or Roof Spaces
Buzzing from a wall, chimney or roof space can indicate hidden activity. Do not start opening walls or disturbing the structure yourself to investigate.
Dark Spots or Honey Stains on Walls
Established honey bee colonies can contain comb, wax and stored honey. If a colony has been present inside a building for some time, there may occasionally be signs around the surrounding structure.
Finding a Visible Bee Colony
Sometimes the bees themselves are clearly visible. If you discover a cluster or established colony, avoid disturbing it and arrange professional identification.
Where Do Bees Commonly Build Their Nests?
Bees choose locations that provide the conditions they need. The exact location can vary considerably depending on the species.
Bees in Wall Cavities
Small gaps in brickwork and other openings can provide access to protected wall cavities. Once inside, a honey bee colony may be hidden completely from view.
Bees in Chimneys
Chimneys can provide sheltered locations for honey bees. Their height and accessibility can make these colonies more complicated to assess and remove.
Bees in Roof and Loft Spaces
Gaps around roof tiles, fascia boards and other parts of the roof structure can allow bees to enter sheltered spaces.
Bees in Sheds and Garages
Quiet outbuildings can also provide suitable locations, particularly where bees are able to enter and remain relatively undisturbed.
Bees Nesting in Trees
Natural cavities within trees can provide excellent homes for honey bees and other bee species. Depending on the location and circumstances, intervention may not be necessary.
Ground Nesting Bees
Not every bee lives in a large colony. Many solitary bees use small holes in soil and other suitable areas for nesting. These bees behave very differently from honey bees and should be identified correctly before any action is considered.
What Type of Bees Do You Have?
Identification is one of the most important parts of dealing with bee activity.
Honeybees
Honey bees live together in organised colonies and build wax comb. Where possible, BEEKIND™ Pest Control prefers to protect and relocate honey bee colonies rather than destroy them.
Bumblebees
Bumblebees are generally larger and rounder in appearance. They can establish colonies in sheltered locations around homes and gardens.
Mason Bees
Mason bees are solitary bees that often use existing holes and small cavities rather than establishing large colonies.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees use suitable wood for nesting. Their behaviour and nesting habits are different from those of honey bees.
Leafcutter Bees
Leafcutter bees are another type of solitary bee. They use sections of leaves when creating their individual nesting cells.
Solitary Bees
Many bee species live independently rather than forming large colonies. In many situations, their presence does not require intervention.
Is It a Bee Nest or a Wasp Nest?
Mistaking honey bees for wasps is common. BEEKIND™ Pest Control regularly receives enquiries where the insects turn out to be different from what the property owner initially expected.
What Does a Honey Bee Colony Look Like?
Honey bees create wax comb where they raise young and store food. However, when the colony is inside a wall, roof or chimney, the comb itself may not be visible.
What Does a Wasp Nest Look Like?
Wasp nests normally have a distinctive papery structure rather than the wax comb associated with honey bees.
Differences Between Bee and Wasp Activity
Appearance, behaviour and nesting location can all provide useful clues. However, trying to identify insects while standing close to an active colony is unnecessary.
Why Correct Identification Matters
Correct identification can prevent unnecessary treatment. At BEEKIND™ Pest Control, we request photos or videos where possible before recommending action. This can help us understand what you are dealing with before deciding on the next step.
What Should You Do If You Find a Bee Colony?
Finding bees does not automatically mean they need to be removed.
Keep Your Distance From the Colony
Observe activity from a sensible distance. Avoid standing directly in the bees’ flight path or close to their entrance.
Keep Children and Pets Away
If the colony is close to an area regularly used by children, pets or visitors, keep them away until you understand the situation.
Do Not Block the Entrance
Sealing an active entrance can make the problem more complicated. Bees may attempt to find another route, including one leading further into the property.
Avoid Disturbing the Colony
Do not spray substances into the entrance, knock the surrounding structure or attempt to remove comb yourself.
Contact a Bee Removal Specialist
Professional identification allows you to understand the species, colony location and options available before making a decision.
Are Bees in Your Home Dangerous?
The presence of bees does not automatically make a property dangerous.
Risk of Bee Stings
Honey bees are generally more likely to become defensive when they believe their colony is threatened. Disturbing an established colony can therefore increase the risk of stings.
Allergic Reactions to Bee Stings
For people with a serious allergy to bee stings, the location of a colony can create additional concerns. Seek appropriate medical help immediately if someone experiences a serious reaction following a sting.
Risks From Large Bee Colonies
Honey bee colonies can grow over time. Long established colonies may become significantly larger than a property owner expects, particularly when they are hidden inside a building.
When a Bee Problem Requires Attention
The location of the colony matters. Bees inside an inaccessible part of a building present a very different situation from bees living naturally in a tree away from people.
This is why every situation should be assessed individually.
Can Honey Bees Cause Problems for Your Property?
An established honey bee colony inside a building can create issues that should be considered as part of a professional survey.
Honey and Comb Inside Walls
Honey bees build wax comb and store honey. When a colony has occupied a cavity for a long period, a significant amount of material can exist behind the visible surface.
Difficult Nesting Locations
Colonies inside chimneys, roofs and wall cavities may be difficult to access. Understanding exactly where the colony is located is important before any removal work is planned.
Material Left Inside the Cavity
Removing or losing the colony does not automatically mean the cavity is empty. Comb, wax and honey may remain behind.
Problems With Previous Colony Sites
A previous nesting location may remain attractive to future honey bee colonies if the original access and conditions are unchanged.
Should You Remove a Bee Colony Yourself?
We do not recommend attempting to remove an established honey bee colony without the correct knowledge and equipment.
Why DIY Bee Removal Can Be Risky
The visible entrance may tell you very little about the actual size and position of the colony. Bees may have established themselves much further inside the structure.
What Happens When Bees Feel Threatened?
Honey bees protect their colony. Interfering with their entrance or comb can cause defensive behaviour.
Why Blocking the Entrance Does Not Solve the Problem
Closing the obvious entrance does not remove the colony, comb or honey. It may simply cause the bees to search for another way out.
When Professional Bee Removal May Be Needed
Removal may be considered when the colony’s location creates practical or safety concerns, or when leaving it in place could create future problems for the property.
How Does Professional Honey Bee Removal and Relocation Work?
At BEEKIND™ Pest Control, a honey bee survey is not about convincing you that the colony needs to be removed.
It is about giving you the information needed to make an informed decision.
Identifying the Bee Species
We first establish what species you are dealing with. Photos and videos can often provide useful information before a site visit.
Locating the Colony
The next step is understanding where the bees are entering and where the colony itself is likely to be situated.
Assessing the Colony
We consider factors including accessibility, property type, colony location, public safety and colony health.
Choosing the Right Approach
Every colony is different. We explain what may happen if the bees remain, what removal would involve, the likely considerations and the options available.
Wherever possible, our preference is live honey bee removal and relocation rather than destruction.
Reducing the Chance of Bees Returning
Understanding why bees selected a particular location is an important part of the process. Once appropriate work has been completed, potential access points and conditions can be considered to reduce the chance of another colony establishing itself there.
How Can You Reduce the Chance of Bees Nesting in Your Property?
The aim is not to stop bees visiting your garden. Bees are an important part of the environment.
Instead, focus on preventing unnecessary access into parts of your building.
Seal Potential Entry Points
Gaps and openings around a property can provide access to cavities. Any proofing work should only be completed once you are certain an active colony is not using the entrance.
Check Roofs, Walls and Outbuildings
Regular building maintenance can help identify damaged areas and openings before they become suitable access points.
Deal With Previous Nesting Areas
If honey bees have previously occupied a cavity, understanding why they selected that location can help prevent the same situation happening again.
Monitor Bee Activity During Spring and Summer
Pay attention to repeated activity around the same opening. Spotting unusual behaviour early gives you more time to understand the situation before the colony becomes well established.
What to Do If Bees Keep Returning
If bees repeatedly show interest in the same part of your property, there may be a reason.
Why Bees May Return to Previous Nesting Areas
A sheltered cavity with suitable access can continue to provide an attractive location for future colonies.
Finding Hidden Entry Points
The obvious opening may not be the only access route. A proper survey can help identify how bees are getting into the structure.
Preventing Future Bee Problems
Effective prevention is about addressing the cause rather than simply dealing with what you can see.
This reflects the wider approach we take at BEEKIND™ Pest Control. Understanding why something has happened is often just as important as dealing with the immediate problem.
Bee Colony FAQs
How do I know if I have a bee colony?
Repeated activity around the same entrance, buzzing from a hidden cavity or a visible concentration of bees may indicate a colony. Professional identification can confirm what you are dealing with.
What should I do if I find honey bees?
Keep a sensible distance and avoid disturbing them. Take clear photos or videos from a safe position where possible and contact BEEKIND™ Pest Control for identification and advice.
Do honey bees always need to be removed?
No. Every situation is different. The colony’s location, accessibility, property type, public safety and other factors should be considered before deciding whether intervention is necessary.
Why are there suddenly lots of bees around my house?
The activity could be associated with an established colony or bees looking for a suitable location. Correct identification is the first step.
Can honey bees live inside walls?
Yes. Wall cavities can provide protected spaces for honey bee colonies.
Can bees live in a roof?
Yes. Honey bees may gain access through gaps around roof structures and establish themselves in protected cavities.
Can a honey bee colony cause property problems?
An established colony can leave significant amounts of comb, wax and honey inside a building cavity. The potential impact depends on the individual situation.
Will bees eventually leave on their own?
You should not assume they will. An established honey bee colony can remain in a suitable location and continue developing over time.
Do bees return to previous colony locations?
Suitable locations can attract honey bees again if the conditions and access that made the cavity attractive remain.
What is the difference between honey bees and wasps?
They differ in appearance, behaviour and the way they construct their nests. If you are unsure, professional identification is better than guessing.
Should I block the entrance to a honey bee colony?
No. Blocking an active entrance does not remove the colony and could cause the bees to look for another route.
When should I contact a bee removal specialist?
Seek professional advice when you are unsure which species you have, bees have entered the structure of your property, the colony is close to people, or you simply want to understand the options available.
Get Professional Advice About Honey Bees
Finding honey bees around your home does not automatically mean they need to be treated or removed.
At BEEKIND™ Pest Control, we believe the first step should be understanding what is actually happening.
We provide professional identification, surveys, honest advice and live honey bee removal and relocation where appropriate. Rather than simply dealing with the visible activity, we look at why the bees have chosen the location, what could happen if the colony remains and what options are available to you.
Wherever possible, our preference is to protect and relocate honey bee colonies rather than destroy them.
If you have discovered bees around your property, send BEEKIND™ Pest Control photos or videos where possible. We can help identify what you are dealing with and explain the most appropriate next step based on your individual situation.
