Q: I have a swarm of bees that have made a nest in a tree in my backyard. What should I do with them? Should I try to kill them with wasp spray or do I have to call a pest control company?
A: How lucky a swarm of bees chose your yard! No seriously, unless you see a large amount of honeycomb, they will probably fly off somewhere more safe to make their home. Bees swarm from about March through October so they may leave the area soon. Please don't use wasp spray to kill bees. It says WASP spray on the can because it is for wasps. If you wish to kill them, fill a spray bottle or garden sprayer with very soapy water (using dish soap) and spray them. This will kill them without triggering the alarm pheromone. You may need several applications to kill them all. If you prefer to have them removed, we recommend you call All Florida Bee Removal. Click on our "Sponsors" tab for their direct web site and phone numbers.
Q: How can I start keeping bees?
A: Start by attending Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association's monthly meetings. There you will meet beekeepers and people who want to be beekeepers. You can even find someone to mentor you so you can get started. We can discuss with you the appropriate equipment to buy, and we will be holding workshops so you can get hands on experience.
Q: I see flying insects that look like bees flying in and out of the water meter box in the ground near my house. Are these some kind of new bee or are they a wasp?
A: These are probably honeybees. More than likely, they are Africanized. Do not attempt to open the box or remove the bees and by all means do not attempt to kill them. Notify your utility company so that their meter reader does not get injured and so that they can take care of this situation. Keep in mind, this meter box is the property of the utility company, do not tamper with it.