Honeybee and Yellow Jacket issues

Fort Myers, Florida

Bee Removal | Yellow Jacket Removal | Wasp Removal | Hornet Removal

Call Florida Bee Removal, Inc. for all of your buzzing needs! 

Florida Bee Removal, Inc. is a licensed and insured company for your protection.  Be sure any company you hire for bee or pest removal can show you credentials including license and insurance.  If they can not, choose another company.

Please make sure you hire a certified Pest Control Operator (PCO) for your bee issues.  Due to the ever expanding presence of Africanized bees in Florida, the state recommends a PCO for eradication of bees in and around homes.  The African honey bee is considerably more defensive of the bee hive than the European honey bee.

Florida Bee Removal specializes in live removal and relocation of bees in Ft Myers.  In addition to bee removal (including Africanized bees) we remove wasps, hornets, yellow jackets as well as bee hive and honey removal.  We are licensed and insured and perform bee removal service not only in Fort Myers, but the entire state of Florida.  Call Florida Bee Removal whether you need bee removal services, or perhaps you have a bee swarm or yellow jacket nest on your property and would just like additional information.  We have been in the bee removal business over 50 years and enjoy every bee removal adventure.  You are never a bother to us, we love the phone to buzz for bees!

If you are located in Florida, you come into contact with bees. It's just a fact of life. Sadly, you don't know if you're dealing with aggressive bees or non-aggressive bees until it's too late. At Florida Bee Removal, our experts are highly qualified and properly trained in safe, effective bee removal techniques. We offer same-day service at a fair price.   When we can safely and effectively perform it, Florida Bee Removal prefers to practice live bee removal of the bee hive if at all possible.  When we have safely removed the live bees from your property we turn them over to a local beekeeper so they may be safely managed. When we have safely removed the live bees from your property in Ft Myers, we turn them over to a local beekeeper so they may be safely managed.  Our goal is not to exterminate bees, rather remove the danger of the bees from your property and keep them in their natural habitat so they can continue benefit our evironment.  Other stinging and aggressive insects such as wasps and yellow jackets must be exterminated and removed from the site. 

We can extract established bee hives from walls, chimneys, roofs, under sheds, and other areas where bees like to build a hive.  Bees can easily fit into an area the size of a pencil eraser.  The bee removal process also inlcudes finding the point of entry.  Once we have completed your bee removal process, we will guarantee you will not have bees return to that specific location.  

Bee Removal ~ Yellow Jacket Removal ~ Wasp Removal ~ Hornet Removal

Relocation of Wild Honey Bees

The State Of Florida has determined that eradication of wild bees is the safest method of Honey Bee control. However, there is no current rule/law requiring feral bee colonies (Those having no bee keeper) to be automatically killed. When eradication is deemed necessary, licensed pest control operators only are certified to apply appropriate products onto a bee infestation.  The most comprehensive solution, to unwanted bee hives, is to employ an entity skilled in determining if a bee issue should be eradicated or relocated. The entity should be both certified in General Household Pest control and experienced in apiculture (Honey bee expert ).

Relocation of a bee colony involves removal of both bees and combs from one location ( deemed unwanted or unsafe ) to a more desirable ( safer ) habitat. One must bee safe in this procedure—being careful not to endanger people, pets, and property.  Relocation requires more time to accomplish than eradication and therefore, demands a higher fee. About three-fourths of relocated bee colonies abscond ( swarm away ) soon after removal from their original hive site. These absconders could swarm to an undesirable location—complicating matters  

Bee pests and pathogens (germs) are a constant threat to our Apian friends. In some areas of Florida, Honey bee losses continue to escalate. Rogue use of pesticides, exotic pests, and poor bee keeping management threatens to further reduce bee colony numbers.  Less pollinators can result in less food for man. Without sufficient crop reproduction, we could be forced onto an unsavory diet of carrots and potatoes. Food prices would go out of sight. It is therefore important to save bee colonies whenever possible.

JULY  HEAT CAN CREATE STRESS IN HONEY BEE COLONIES

  Adult honeybees can survive temperatures as high as 122 degrees F.  However, their survival depends upon an efficient HVAC crew to remove excessive heat from their hives. A bee colony employs ventilation and H2O evaporation to accomplish necessary cooling of themselves and their hive environment.

  On hot summer days, AC bees arrange themselves in a manner which promotes the flow of air into and out of their home. When water is present, in the colony, the airflow caries calories of heat to the ambient air outside.

When relocating bee colonies, this heat production must be controlled. The bees should not be transferred with combs and honey. Ventilation must also be provided by hiving the colony in a container open at the top and large enough to allow for ample space between the individual insects. Cardboard boxes are good for these types of honey bee relocations. Never cram a bee colony into too small a space.  

The Sting Operation uses mesh laundry bags to cover the boxed  bees. They usually travel comfortably when placed in the AC within the cab of our vehicles. An occasional sprinkling of water helps cool a bee colony in transit.

Remember this—Bees-in-heat are stressed and easily agitated. Let our bee removal specialists safely and efficiently handle your problem bee issues.

EXPOSED BEE COLONIES

Occasionally, a honeybee swarm will elect to construct its wax net from a tree limb or upon a structure.  Exposed bee colonies exhibit unique issues not usually found with bees in wall voids or contained, unexposed to the elements.  Exposed bee colonies are more protective of their nest since the beehive is very vulnerable to predators, and honeycombs are subject to being dislodged in high wind conditions.

Disturbed honeybees often attack in large numbers, sensing that surrounding people and animals have threatened them.  Many times, there will be two issues to control-bees on the ground and bees remaining on comb remnants in the tree or structure.

Fallen honycombs, from exposed bee colonies, pose an immediate danger.  An Issue, such as this, can be safely handled by contacting the professionals with over 50 years experience - Florida Bee Removal.

LOCAL BEE STING EMERGENCIES

On the 26th of June, 2017, a call was placed to Florida Bee Removal by the Hendry County Sheriff's Department.  The deputy was requesting assistance in extricating a 67 year old man from a swarm of bees.  The man was stung more than 100 times and needed to be removed from the bee attack.  The local fire department used foam to disable teh swarm while they removed the victim to safety.

Today, most fire departments have procedures in place to effectively deal with honeybee and wasp attacks.  However this has not always been the case.  About 10 years ago, some young boys were riding dirt bikes near a bee yard in St Petersburg, Florida.  One of the riders slid into a beehive, toppling it.  Before emergency services arrived, the boy was covered with mad bees.  The ambulance crew bravely rescued the victim and they were also stung many times.

Bee stings are painful.  However, one sting can be fatal to the 1-2% of victims who may experience anaphylactic shock which can shut off breathing.  Others may be affected with excessive swelling or local infection.

For removal of nuisance or dangerous honeybee/wasp issues, call upon Florida Bee Removal to attend to your safety needs throughout Central and South Florida.

***Honey Bee Emergency Response Training is available through UF/IFAS 850-674-8323 FIRE/RESCUE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT are encouraged to attend.

FLORIDA BEE REMOVAL 2016

This year looks to be especially busy for bee removal calls.  Please hire a licensed and insured company for your bee removal, as bee swarms may be agressive. This unfortunate person in Florida already found out how aggressive a bee swarm can be this year.  In addition, please don't take it upon yourself to remove the bees, as these people were injured in April of 2015 while being to close to a bee hive.

Bee removal or relocation becomes necessary when bee swarms suddenly appear on trees, in containers, or around structures. Also, established bee colonies, with combs, need removal when they interfere with normal human activities.

In the fall of 1962, several of us young lads discovered honey bees, nesting high in a majestic Hickory tree. We fabricated some protective clothing and, with the aid of a cross-cut saw, brought down the splintering tree along with the bee colony. For several hours, there was a great deal of befuddlement and misbehavior. Upon our return, the following morning, the bee colony had formed a swarm upon a tree limb. A gunney sac was used to encase the bees and branch, upon which they had landed. A local farmer bequeathed to us an old weather-worn bee hive, in which we introduced the swarm. We placed a pane of glass under the telescopic lid of the hive body. This made viewing safer as we watched honey bees store nectar, pollen, and other provisions from late fall plants.

  As Indian Summer faded, the arrival of cold weather caused the bees to become less active. There was very little left to do other than to snuggle with their honey. This adventure took place over 50 years ago and, I assure you, the pleasure of working with bees has increased over the years.

  Once again, it is early February. A brisk, bracing breeze greets the fiery sunrise across the Green Swamp. Blossoming red and golden Maples hum with bee visitors stocking up on early provisions of nectar and pollen. This bounty will soon be followed by Florida Willows adding to the build-up period.

  By February 15^th, Florida Bee Removal will be called upon to resolve bee swarm issues from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale and within  the cities of Tampa Bay . The degree of reproductive swarming will depend upon the success of the late winter build-up. It is not unusual to receive over 20 bee swarm concerns on a warm mid-February afternoon.

There are thousands of commercial bee colonies, now placed in close proximity to millions of acres of citrus. The nectar flow, from this source, often drips from the trees and bees can be heard humming among the blossoms. When the bee hives become heavy, with stored honey and replete with thousands of young worker bees, the issuance of reproductive swarms may number in the hundreds.

The bee swarms, if true to nature, will follow observable behaviors: 1- approximately ½ of bees in a colony, along with the old queen, swarm away to establish a new family; 2- The swarm alights upon a plant or structure; 3- search bees investigate and evaluate potential nesting sites; 4- a location is chosen and the bee swarm alights near the portal of the selected void or space; 5- the domestic crew does a final inspection; 6- the bee swarm takes possession of the new home; 7-the bees, full of honey, secrete beeswax and fashion it into comb; 8- the old queen deposits eggs into the comb until she is replaced due to declining productivity; 9- field worker bees gather nectar, pollen, propolis, and water; 10- nurse bees care for developing brood and finally,  11- Florida Bee Removal is called to deal with bees that are inconveniently located.

Since 2015 was a busy year, Florida Bee Removal has been able to invest in new technologies and has improved its bee control procedures. We can be Johnny-on-the-spot when called upon for both routine and emergency bee service. We offer free bee removal advice and free bee removal estimates. Florida Bee Removal dba Apian Services is looking forward to sharing your bee removal adventures in 2016

2016 marks the beginning of our 55th yeat in the adventurous pursuit of bee removal and relocation.  I still remember well those indian summer days of fall in North Carolina.  Asters and goldenrods lingered still along rural roadsides and abundantly in meadows and on hillsides.  This rich floral display was the bees' final banquet prior to winter.  Drifting red and yellow leaves would soon litter the forest floor turning brown and crunching beneath our feet.

Here, In Florida, bees work year-round storing tons of honey and providing pollination of crops.  In late September, brazilian pepper trees bloom profusely.  This attracts beekeepers from other states as well as local apiarists.  In the presence of thousands of bee hives, bee swarms are apt to appear on any day.  Bee swarms take residence in structures, trees, and in containers.  Some of these are accessible enough to relocate.

Pepper nectar produces yellow honecomb.  The honey itself has a bitter aftertaste but is excellent for use in baked products.  Since bees are valuable to out survival, Florida bee removal attempts to relocate honeybee colonies whenever feasible when our customers call for bee removal services.  As our bee removal business has been in our family for generations we are prepared to take care of your bee removal issues both now and in the future.

2017 Bee Removal

Florida honeybee populations were adversely affected this period by several factors:  loss of nectar flow, storms, and exotic pests; to name a few.  These conditions contriuted to diminished bee colony numbers which resulted in loss of income to beekeeepers.

Florida beekeepers depend upon spring honey flows to bolster their investment income for the year.  2017 was a failure for orange blossom honey.  Palmeto and gall berry sources did not adequately produce in the late spirng.  Much of the summer was devoted to recouping losses by splitting bee colonies and the feeding of sugar syrup and pollen supplements.

During the height of a promising orange blossom season (March-April) high winds descended upon the Highland Ridge, dislodging blossoms from the citrus trees.  Hurricane Irma destroyed nearly half of the bee colonies in Southwest Florida, bringing with it high winds and intense flooding.  Honeybees suffered losses from Little Hive Beetles, Tracheal Mites, Braula Fly, and Foulbrood (both American and European).

The majority of wild bee colonies are those which have swarmed and relocated from commercial hives.  When bees and beekeeper suffer losses, the need for bee removal services diminishes.

2017 was below average for bee colony survival.  This was reflected in less bee removal for Florida Bee Removal, Inc even though our Google listings were promoted near the top of page 1 for most Florida cities.

Our Winter Season..

Florida Bee Removal Adventures have begun to diminish as an arctic cold front sweeps across the United States.  Florida bee keepers will not feel the effects of frigid weather as much as others.  This means that many migrant keepers of bees will be wintering their hives here in central and southern Florida.  Florida Bee Removal will continue to be called upon for isolated bee and wasp issues for which we are happy to respond to. 

Bee colonies need ample honey stores in order to overcome the cold of winter. Bees radiate heat when they consume sufficient honey. This radiant flow keeps their brood ( baby bees ) warm as well as themselves. Bee keepers often supply their colonies with sugar syrup when honey supplies are low. Bees will freeze to death when they run out of fuel.  

When bee removal activities slow down, an occasional adventurous opportunity may present itself. I recall such an event in the winter of 2011. U.S. Sugar Corporation employed “The Bee Sting Operation” to remove 20 bee hives from several farm structures.  The location was approx. 30 miles south of Clewiston, their headquarters. The Bee team cut and exposed the bee colonies while extracting a 55 gallon container of honey along with about 100 pounds of honeybees.  

On our way back north to Clewiston, we were surrounded by thousands of  acres of sugar cane ripened beneath the Florida sun.  Overhead, a pair of eagles soared and an osprey flew across a waterway ,sporting a fish in its talons. The team members were inspired by the wild beauty of  this place as we celebrated our bee adventure with a deep sense of accomplishment.

RAYMOND MILLS - BEEKEEPER  BS SCIENCE ED (Biology)

This past winter season (2018) marks our 56th year of honeybee culture.  During these years, thousands of bee colonies have been relocated from trees, within structures, from containers, and a myriad of other habitats.  Our years of association with bees and their keepers, have provided a deep appreciation for the benefits that honeybees deliver to us and our environment.

In Florida, as January's cool wind meets the fiery sunrise, the hardy maples offer an early feast of rich pollen and nectar.  February 2018 went on record as one fo the mildest in history.  Bees relished the abundance of fragrant Florida willows and oak pollen.  As a result, bee colony strength showed great improvement from the previous year.  March presented with windy days of cooler temperatures.  However, there were periods of warmth which contributed to nectar and pollen production.

Winter is the season that is best suited for relocating commercial beehives.  Beekeepers move thousands of hives to citrus groves, blueberry fields, and various other crops.   Citizens calls for bee removal services aree usually down during this time frame. In view of positive honeybee buildup, feral bee swarms can be expected to appear extensively during the summer and fall.  When feral swarms appear, Florida Bee Removal is prepared to respond quickly for safe relocation/removal.

Bee Relocation

Honeybee removal and relocation is a professional craft; learned by years of hands-on experience.  The ideal practicioner has training in how to recognize structural voids, bee and wasp identification, the proper use of bee control methods, and a superior ability to interact with customers.

Florida Bee Removal (Apian Services) has over 50 years of honeybee management experience.  Our owner first began relicating bee swarms at age 17 (1962) - see history of bee removal on our website.  Our technicians receive on-going instruction on best practices fro bee and wasp control.  Wasps are usually exposed but bees generally prefer voids in trees, structures, and containers.  In many situations, honeybees can be safely relocated to farms.  Eradication is permitted when unwanted races of bees are encountered.  Live bee removal is allowed and preferred by Florida Bee Removal.

Apian Services is available 24/7.  Our office staff is courteous and knowledgable on bee and other stinging insect issues.  Feel free to call us for a consultation or bee removal service anytime.  We are a family business offering career opportunities to any wishing to make bee removal and relocation their life's pursuit.

We are in the process of training our youngest grandson, Luca.  We are working fervently to ave Luca prepared to handle your bee issues by 2036.  In the meanwhile, call our current team of bee professionals for all of your bee removal issues.

Bee & Stinging Insect Removal

The cities surrounding Tampa Bay have a large population of bees, yellowjackets, and wasps.  These stinging insects are valuable to our ecosysytem.  Problems exists when they invade human habitations and their property.  Each bee and wasp project calls for a custom evaluation and remedy.  However, removal and relocation is the most desirable method of control.

Polistes (wasps) construct paper nests, most often along the eaves of buildings and in shrubbery.  However one particular species, polistes annularis, prefers the shade of tree branches overhanging Florida rivers and streams.  In the summer of 2002, our bee specialists took a trip down the Rainbow River in search of these wasps.  Soon after launching from K.P. Hole, hundreds of wasp nests were sighted.  Us, bee and wasp removers, we were considering harvesting some of these specimens for use in anti venom therapy.  Since we had not bought our removal and relocation equipment, harvesting was delayed for a future adventure.  It appears likely, that a river traveler would encounter stings from these wasps. 

*The State of Florida recommends that all bee colonies not managed by beekeepers nesting in close proximity to areas frequented by people or domestic animals be eradicated by a licensed and insured Pest Control Operator or removed by a registered beekeeper for purposes of public safety.  It can not be stressed enough that bee removal should only be performed by a licensed and insured professional bee removal company, as death or serious injury could result to bystanders or the person attempting the bee removal.  In addition to bee removal and relocation, we perform yellow jacket removal.  Yellow jackets are very defensive.  Did you know the yellow jacket stinger is about twice as long as a honey bee stinger?*

Bee Removal entails a blending of apian and construction skills, learned primarily by hands-on experience. A bee removal specialist has to know how to expose bee colonies within a structure, a tree, or container. In addition, recognition of  bee and wasps species, along with the  potential  danger they pose, is essential in making a professional decision as to how the bee or wasp issue should be resolved.

Bee removal control and relocation is a relatively young pursuit. In earlier times     ( about 30 yrs. ago ), bee keepers were called upon to capture bee swarms or do a trap-out from a wall or tree. The service was usually free since the bee keeper was happy to have a valuable bee colony for honey and pollination.

In recent years, the honey bee and bee keeper have been plagued by unwanted races of bees( Africanized-defensive bees ), bee mites, little hive beetles, foulbrood, disappearing disease, and increasing bee deaths due to the unscrupulous use of pesticides. Due to the likely spread of bee pests and bee pathogens, The Florida Department of Agriculture has advised that  bee removal operators eradicate the wild bee colonies ( those having no bee keeper ) to which they come in contact.

Florida Bee Removal, inc attempts to relocate wild bee colonies, based upon how defensive the colony behaves and how accessible the bees and honey combs are. In dangerous situations, bee and wasp removal may require eradication with a pesticide labeled for use on bees, wasps, and other venomous insects.

Florida Bee Removal dba Apian Services is certified, licensed, insured, and experienced in all phases of bee and wasp management. Check out our credentials at  floridabeeremovalcredentials.com and then call for a free bee removal proposal.

BEE WARE---BEE SWARMS ARE ON THE HORIZON

What type of bee do you have?

Identify your bee:  Bumblebee, Carpenter Bee, Honey Bee & Mining Bee here!

These photos and descriptions of different types of bees may help you better relay your bee problem to a Florida Bee Removal specialist.  If you can't find what your looking for there, feel free to call Florida Bee Removal.  We want your bee removal bizzness!! 

Africanized Bees

Africanized honey bees –also called “killer bees”–are established in many parts of Florida. Although the killer reputation has been greatly exaggerated, the presence of Africanized honey bees increases the chances of people being stung. Learning about the Africanized honey bee and taking certain precautions can lower the risk of being injured by this new insect in our environment. The Africanized honey bee is closely related to the European honey bee used in agriculture for crop pollination and honey production.  The two types of bees look the same and their behavior is similar in many respects. Neither is likely to sting when gathering nectar and pollen from flowers, but both will sting in defense if provoked. A swarm of bees in flight or briefly at rest seldom bothers people. However, all bees become defensive when they settle, begin producing wax comb and raising young.

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets are an infrequent uninvited inhabitant in and arouns Florida homes and businesses.  They are classified as wasps (vespula) but differ in several ways from bees:  1.  Yellowjackets are usually black and yellow-striped with smooth bodies.  Bees are hairy and brown.  2.  Wasps feed their brood on masticated insects.  Bees feed their larvae on pollen, honey, and royal jelly.  3.  Yellow Jackets fashion paper nests.  Their nurseries consist of a series of combs separated by pedicles (stem-like structures) with brood facing downward.  Bees secrete wax with which they engineer their combs.  The cells have a hexagonal shape and slant slightly upward.  Combs face outward.  There are exceptions to most generalities.  For example:  Bald faced hornets are black with white markings.  They are more closely related to yellow jackets than hornets.  Nest construction and feeding habits are similar to wasps.  However, their nests are generally aerial.  Yellow Jackets can be found in most regions of the world.  They vary in size, coloration, and habitat.  However, they are often discovered as in-ground colonies, in attics, walls, wrapped up in old carpets, discarded containers, and attached to palm trees-to name a few possible habitats. Over the past 50 years, I have been called upon to remove hundreds of yellow jacket nests. Some species have been observed to construct nests as large as the bed of a full-sized pickup truck. I removed an aerial colony in Lakeland that contained over 200 pounds of brood. It was attached at 10 feet in a Pineapple Palm, along the south shore of Scott Lake.

Yellow jacket nests can be eradicated and removed at anytime of the day using safe and successful methods, appropriate for the situation.  In our formative years, a few vain attemptes were encountered resulting in painful stinging incidents.  Our current procedures protect the public and devices have been engineered to get the bee or yellow jacket removal done quickly.  In overview wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and bees are all closely related (Order-Hymenoptera).  They defend their nests by injecting venom into their enemies.  All perform useful activities to earth's environment. They pose a threat to humans and their property when they inadvertedly locate in close proximity.  Florida Bee Removal - Apian Services is here to assist civilization in the safe removal of stinging insects.