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Wasp and bee control for commercial premises.
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are one of the world's most recognized and important pollinators. Known for producing honey and pollinating many of our fruits and vegetables, these small insects play a vital role in agriculture and the environment.
This page contains key honey bee facts, helping you to understand their role in the ecosystem, correctly identify them, and know when to seek help from our pest control experts if they build nests in unwanted places.
Key characteristics
Appearance
- Dark brown with bands of lighter brown or orange.
- Body covered with hair.
Life cycle
- Colony size — large (often greater than 30,000 individuals).
- Preferred nest sites — hollow trees, roof and wall cavities.
- Nest construction — Wax combs which hang vertically. Nests are in constant use throughout the life of the colony.
Habits
- Swarming — swarms in spring/early summer.
- Overwintering — whole colony.
- Food preferences — honey and pollen.
- Reluctant to sting unless provoked.
What do honey bees look like?
Adult honey bees are about half an inch long with oval-shaped bodies. Their hind legs have a pollen basket (corbicula) used to transport pollen back to the hive.
Worker bees have hairy bodies for collecting pollen, while drones are bulkier with larger eyes, and the queen bee is longer with an extended abdomen.
Signs of a honey bee infestation
While honey bees are valuable pollinators, a nest built too close to your property can pose risks. A few key signs can indicate a hive nearby:
- Increased buzzing around flowers, gardens, or buildings
- Bees entering and exiting a single opening repeatedly
- Visible nest or wax comb in trees, wall cavities, or sheds
If you spot these signs, avoid disturbing the hive. Contact us for bee control services to help protect your staff and customers.
Habitat, diet, life cycle, and behavior
Honey bees thrive in a variety of habitats, from wild meadows to urban gardens. Understanding where honey bees live, their diet, and behaviors can help manage unwanted hives while protecting their vital role in pollination.
Where do honey bees live?
Honey bees can make their homes in hollow trees, rock crevices, and human-made structures. In urban areas, they may nest inside wall voids, chimneys, or roof spaces. Managed hives kept by beekeepers are also common.
Diet
Honey bees feed mainly on nectar and pollen. Nectar is converted into honey, which serves as a food source during winter, while pollen provides protein for developing larvae. Worker bees may travel several miles to forage for food sources.
Life cycle
The life cycle begins when the queen honey bee lays an egg in a honeycomb cell. Eggs hatch into larvae, which are fed royal jelly initially, then pollen and honey. Larvae spin cocoons and develop into pupae before emerging as adults: either worker bees, drones, or a new queen bee.
Behavior
The honey bee is a social insect that lives in large colonies of worker bees, drones, and a single queen bee. Honey bees communicate through special dances and pheromones. For example, the “waggle dance” tells other bees where to find food sources. They may swarm when a new queen emerges, splitting the colony. Inside the hive, worker bees build combs, store honey, and care for the young.
Are honey bees dangerous?
Honey bees are generally not aggressive unless a colony feels threatened or is defending a nest or beehive. Stings can cause pain, swelling, and in rare cases, allergic reactions that require medical attention. Keeping a safe distance from any nest or swarm is the best way to avoid issues. If a nest is located dangerously close to your property, we can advise on the best course of action.
How to get rid of honey bees
Removing a colony without proper training can be risky and may only provide a short-term fix. For safety and to address the root cause, contact our commercial pest control team or, for non-business customers, our residential pest control service. Our technicians use effective methods to help protect your home or business while minimizing harm to these beneficial pollinators.
Honey bee prevention tips
Effective measures for preventing honey bees from invading your property include sealing wall gaps, fixing damaged roof tiles, and fitting screens over vents. These steps make it harder for a colony to establish itself, but may not fully stop worker bees from creating a nest. For lasting protection, it’s best to work with our pest control experts.
Need help with wasps and bees?
Whether you’re dealing with bees, wasps, or other stinging insects, our trained technicians provide effective solutions. Reach out for our bee control services to help protect your people and property.
Frequently asked questions
Only female worker bees can sting, using their stingers to defend the colony. They rarely sting unless provoked, but stings can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reactions in some people.
Worker bees live for about five to seven weeks in summer, gathering nectar and pollen. The queen bee can live for several years, producing thousands of eggs.
A swarm happens when a colony becomes overcrowded or a new queen emerges. Some of the bees and the old queen leave to start a new hive elsewhere.
Female worker bees have barbed stingers for defense, often resulting in their death after stinging. Male drones do not have stingers.
Honey bees do not hibernate like some insects. Instead, the colony stays active inside the hive through winter, clustering to keep warm and feeding on stored honey.
Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is when most of the worker bees in a honey bee colony suddenly disappear, leaving the queen, brood, and food stores behind. The exact cause isn’t known, but factors like parasites, pesticides, poor nutrition, and stress are factors that may contribute. It’s a major concern because honeybees are essential pollinators for many food crops.