A single bee hive can contain anywhere from 10,000 to 65,000 adult bees. Some may even house more. While these pollinators are an integral part of the ecosystem, helping plants and crops grow, having them build a colony on your property can be problematic. 

Identifying the signs of a bee infestation can help you take action to protect your home and family. 

What Is a Bee Infestation?

A bee infestation occurs when the insects build a hive around — or in — your home. Colonies grow fast. More bees invading your property increases your risk of injuries and, for some, dangerous allergic reactions. 

Bee hives on or in your home can also cause significant structural damage or attract other pests that can cause even more harm.

Signs of a Bee Infestation

The following five signs of bee infestation can indicate a serious problem on your Phoenix area property:

1. More Bee Activity Than Normal

It’s not uncommon to see increased bee activity in the spring. That’s when honey bees swarm. Groups of bees leave their current colonies with a new queen to look for new homes. Things settle down once they find ideal locations to establish their hives. 

If the activity doesn’t die down, or you notice a sudden uptick in bees around your home, there’s a good chance you have a hive or infestation nearby. You may see dozens of bees in your yard when there only used to be a few here and there. You might also encounter bees inside your home if there’s a hive nearby. 

2. Injured Pets

While people generally understand that they should leave bees alone and avoid getting too close to a colony’s home, pets don’t know any better. A curious dog or cat might stumble upon a hive and attempt to investigate it. Or they may chase bees flying around them. The bees may become agitated attempting to protect the hive and the queen bee and attack, resulting in injuries. 

Pets are most likely to get stung on their faces and paws. Some cats and dogs may attempt to eat a bee, which can result in getting stung in their mouth or throat. Bee stings often cause pain, irritation, and swelling.

Some pets, like some humans, are allergic to bee venom. If your pet gets stung, you’ll want to remove the stinger and seek immediate medical attention at the first signs of anaphylaxis. 

3. Dark Spots In Walls

The sudden and inexplicable appearance of dark patches on your home’s walls or ceiling can point toward a honeybee infestation inside your home. Bees seek safe locations when looking for places to establish new hives. Their search may lead them to discover small openings in your foundation, exterior walls, or roof. Bees nest in secure, secluded space away from potential threats.

As the hive grows, honey can start seeping out of the honeycomb and into the drywall, wood, and insulation. Along with causing stains, it can ruin the construction materials within your home.

An active hive can also attract other pests, such as rodents and ants, increasing the risk of additional infestations. 

4. Increased Noise

Buzzing is a telltale sign there’s a bee nearby. Often, you’ll hear one before you see it. The sound is typically quiet and disappears once the bee leaves.

More frequent buzzing can indicate the presence of more worker bees. Generally, the louder the sound, the closer the bees are. And if they establish their hive in your home, there’s a good chance you’ll start hearing them indoors too. 

5. Unpleasant Odors

Eventually, bees within a colony die. If the hive is in the walls of your home, the dead bees get trapped there. As they begin to decay, you may start to notice an off odor. Unless those bees — and the hive in general — get removed, the scent will likely persist. 

Moisture from honey seeping into your walls and other construction materials can also lead to the growth of mold and fungi, which can cause unpleasant smells. In addition to being unbearable for you, the aromas can attract other pests. 

Handle Bee Infestations With Budget Brothers

Have you noticed any of the following recently?

1. More bees around your home and property
2. Your pets getting stung while out in your yard
3. The appearance of unusual dark spots on your walls or ceiling
4. Louder and more frequent buzzing around — or even inside — your home
5. Off, unpleasant odors that you can’t quite pinpoint

If so, you may be dealing with a bee infestation. While it’s tempting to try to find and eliminate a hive yourself, doing so could lead to injuries. Improper removal of bees also increases the risk of future issues, including more infestations in your home. 

To ensure the complete and safe removal of a bee infestation in your Phoenix area property, call the top pest control company, Budget Brothers. Our highly skilled technicians have the skills and training required to eliminate the infestation and help you take steps to prevent future problems.