Bee Exterminator
Columbus Ohio
Don’t Try to Remove the Hive Yourself!
Homeowners often misidentify wasps or yellow jackets for bees. A pest control specialist from our team will perform a thorough inspection to confirm the presence of bees, find the hives, and map out an effective removal and protection plan. Bee sprays will only provide temporary relief and wives-tales of natural remedies such as vinegar or smoke do little to nothing at all. Full removal of the hive and all honeycomb is required to keep away new swarms of bees and other pests such as rats and mice. A DIY hive removal is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted by anyone other than a trained professional.
While bees pose only slight risk to human health, it is still not safe to let a hive thrive near your home or office. Contact the team at Champion Pest & Termite Control to help keep your yard bee-free and shielded for the future.
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Have You Noticed an Increase in Bees Around Your Home?
We love honey bees and understand how incredibly important they are to the environment and ecosystem. In fact, one-third of the food you eat grows because of bee pollination. There are over 500 species of bees in Ohio. Bees might live in large hives made of honeycomb or they may make nests inside tree trunks and they can even live underground in your yard. A single beehive can contain up to 50,000 individuals. Homeowners are usually alerted to a hive by the sounds of buzzing and sighting of bees.
To identify and remove bees safely and protect your home for the future, you need to contact the expert team at Champion Pest & Termite Control.
Are Bees Harmful?
Bees are not generally aggressive, but they can still be very dangerous to humans. About 1% of children and 3% of adults have severe allergic reactions leading to anaphylaxis. In the spring and summer, you may see large black bees that appear to charge at humans; these are male carpenter bees. Although the males do not have stingers and the females rarely sting unless provoked, these bees pose a big risk to your home.
½ holes in the softwoods of your home (e.g. siding, eaves, attics, walls, and decks) along with piles of sawdust mean you have a carpenter bee infestation. Although only a few holes may appear, carpenter bees create tunnel systems inside wooden beams and boards, weakening their structural integrity from within. These holes are used for shelter and to lay eggs. They also invite other pests and even insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, which can increase the damage to your home.
Bee Control FAQs
How can I tell if the bees at my home are honeybees?
Honeybees are typically golden-brown with black bands and have a fuzzy appearance, especially compared to wasps. You may notice bees flying calmly in and out of a single opening, such as a gap in siding, brick, or a wall void. Honeybees are usually less aggressive and are often seen gathering pollen on flowers rather than hovering around food or trash. In Ohio, honeybees are most active in spring and summer, when colonies are growing and foraging. Swarming activity is most common in late spring to early summer as colonies relocate. If you suspect honeybees, it’s important not to disturb them. Proper identification matters, as honeybees are beneficial pollinators and often require special handling or relocation. A professional can confirm what you’re seeing and recommend the appropriate next steps.
What’s the difference between bees, wasps, and yellow jackets?
From a pest control perspective, the key differences come down to behavior, nesting habits, and risk to people:
- Bees are fuzzy, generally calm, and focused on pollinating plants. They typically sting only when threatened and often build wax hives in protected spaces or swarm temporarily while relocating. Because bees are beneficial, proper identification is important, and relocation is usually recommended rather than treatment.
- Wasps have smooth bodies and are more territorial. They commonly build papery nests on eaves, soffits, trees, or structures. Wasps can become aggressive when their nest is disturbed and may sting multiple times, which makes professional removal important when nests are close to people.
- Yellow jackets are a type of wasp but are more aggressive and more likely to sting. They are often mistaken for bees but are slimmer and less fuzzy. Yellow jackets frequently nest underground or inside wall voids and are strongly attracted to food and drinks, especially in late summer. Because of their behavior and nesting locations, yellow jackets pose a higher risk and should be handled by professionals.
Correct identification is critical, as each insect requires a different approach. A trained technician can safely identify the insect, assess the risk, and recommend the most effective and responsible solution.
Do bees return to old hives?
Honeybees typically do not reuse old hives once a colony has died or been removed. However, if remnants such as wax, honey, or scent remain inside a structure, those materials can attract new swarms to the same location in the future. This is why proper removal and cleanup are important. While it may not be the same bees returning, an untreated hive site can increase the chances of new bees moving in.
Are carpenter bees dangerous?
Carpenter bees are generally not dangerous, but they can still be a concern. Male carpenter bees may act aggressive by hovering near people, but they do not have stingers. Female carpenter bees can sting, but they rarely do unless they are handled or threatened. The bigger issue with carpenter bees is property damage, not stings. They bore perfectly round holes into wood to create nesting tunnels, which can weaken fascia boards, decks, railings, and other wooden structures over time. Professional treatment helps protect your home by stopping activity and discouraging future nesting.
Are bees pollinators? Are wasps beneficial or just pests?
Yes—bees are important pollinators and play a vital role in the environment. Wasps are different. While they can help control other insect populations by feeding on pests, they can become a safety concern when nests are built near homes, patios, or high-traffic areas. In those situations, professional removal helps protect people and pets while addressing the issue safely.
Can I remove a wasp nest myself?
It’s not recommended. Attempting to remove a wasp nest on your own can be dangerous, as wasps will aggressively defend their nest and multiple stings can occur quickly. Professional removal ensures the nest is handled safely, at the right time, and with proper equipment—reducing the risk of injury to you, your family, and pets.
Why are so many bees flying around my house?
Bees and wasps are often attracted to food sources, sugary drinks, open trash, and flowering plants around a home. Bees may also be drawn to flowering landscaping or water sources, while wasps are commonly attracted to protein-based foods and outdoor eating areas. Increased activity can also mean there is a nest or hive nearby, which is why proper identification is important.
What should I do if I see a swarm of bees?
Stay calm and do not disturb the swarm. Swarming bees are usually temporary and are often resting while searching for a new location. Avoid loud noises, sudden movements, or attempting removal yourself. Most swarms people encounter are honeybees, and swarming is a normal behavior that occurs when a colony is relocating. During this time, honeybees are typically less aggressive because they are focused on finding a new home, not defending a nest. Even so, they should not be disturbed. In most cases, a swarm will move on within a few hours to a couple of days once a new nesting site is found. Contact a pest control professional to properly identify the bees and recommend the safest and most appropriate next steps, which may include a referral for relocation rather than treatment, so the situation is handled responsibly and safely.