Bees-what do they look like? What should I expect?

Bees are just what you think they are, black and yellow bugs with a sweet and dangerous attitude about them.  Here is some other news that may surprise you (especially here in Arizona) they are not all Africanized!  Yes you heard me right, there are a whole host of people who think it is this crazy phenomena that normal honey bees could actually exist, but they do, and to be brutally honest there have been a lot more removals this year than years prior where the bees have been very docile.  Don't buy into the idea that they are all out to kill people they aren't; however, that being said you should not take your casual encounter with bees as rare if they aren't chasing you.  Even the most aggressive bees can still go about their business without trying to come after you, even if you pass by them every day.  The real test of their character happens when you try to get into their hive, or they feel threatened in some way.  That is where you hear the news stories and the people getting stung, hospitalized even killed.

So what do they look like?  Can't you tell the difference between Africanized, European, Italian, and all other kinds of bees?  To answer that question let me ask you, can you tell what ethnic roots an American has?  Now can you tell how aggressive that person will be?  Of course these questions seem ridiculous when you are expected to judge the character of someone just based on looks, well it is the exact same for bees.  You really can't judge them based on looks, and honestly when it comes to their origin it is really a matter of genetics. In other words they need to be lab tested.  Now how aggressive are they?  Well that is something that was explained earlier, but as far as size, color and other odd things I hear from my clients everyday...it's all nonsense.  I cannot tell you what to look for other than the experience. Now the actual shape and color can indicate different species and even different insects all together, but that is usually a little easier to assess than what is being promoted to the public.

If you have found this article to be effective please go to my facebook page and like it at www.facebook.com/abellobees Also check out my website, as well as many other Social media properties we are on...or if you're in the Arizona area call me. All of my information is on my website.  

Save the bees don't kill them

Bee removal and relocation is a highly specialized skill and is more time intensive than simply getting them exterminated.  Go check out Derek the Beekeeper at his best beekeeper in phoenix location. Either way you will not be disappointed with the level of customer service and care that you receive from these no nonsense companies.

Stung in the Head 3 times and 1 in the face!

Today's hive removal, 2 hives removed for the price of one! 

This is the time

Right now is such a great time for the bees! They have   lot of food with all of these wonderful flowers out and they will produce honey!

LA city visit and bees in Orange County California

It was a trip to remember last weekend.  I had a good friend of mine, ask me to bring out my bee stuff to help with his Mom's bee problem in her backyard in Costa Mesa.  I agreed and was glad I did, she had a nice hive underneath a group of trees that required me to dig into.  I will not go into the details of this call here, but she is bee free now!  What an interesting call, this was my first time dealing with bees in a tree.

Interesting Swarm call and Bird House!

Monday was a loooooong  night.  My wife was reminded why she doesn't like coming out with me on bee calls.  We didn't finish up until after 2am!  Like usual the calls didn't go as planned.  The first call was a swarm that was suppose to be the usual swarm call where the bees get placed in a box and removed at nightfall.  Well they were the size of 2 basketballs, "just as our friends said" and they decided to congregate in crazy places outside of the box that night as well.  This was a huge swarm, but the bees don't spread out like that during a swarm call.  This was one of my first crazy calls in the 3 years we have been in business.  Then I went to Scottsdale to get the bee hive in a birdhouse.  Fifteen feet into the air with the hive just above my head, I had to balance and try and sawzall through the screw that held the birdhouse beehive to the mesquite!  This goes without saying to beekeepers and others in this business.  I needed to plan this out well, as to keep the bees from going crazy on me.  I waited and looked, and planned and waited some more.  There was no getting around the mesquite that was situated between other trees and shrubs not to mention the new outdoor light that was delicate and just installed.  I was hanging off of a 2" diameter branch with my left hand and sawing with my right hand.  After much sweat and patient sawing.  I did it...but the birdhouse was still rocking as though it were attached.  Frustrated I pulled and pushed myself up on the ladder on my tip toes and sweating profusely now, saw another screw! Well I was in the thick of it at that point so I went at it, but needed a new blade, since my metal blade I had was too short!  After 10 minutes of looking for the allen wrench I misplaced and getting the right blade on, I cut through that next screw like butter (well really ice cold butter with a spoon as my saw) not literally but it took me a good minute or so of sawing to get through that too.  Well that was just half of the night.  I won't mention the rest unless asked :)

Sleepytime

It is winter time and as most of you may know it is time for bees to settle in for the winter.  They will forage less, if at all, and you may see some dead drones by the entrance of your hive. They are usually kicked out for the winter.  Here in AZ they may swarm all year. Keep in mind to call a beekeeper if you see a swarm, since they may move into your house.  I just had another call from a nice lady who is concerned for the bees, but can't afford a cut out.  Unfortunately she watched them swarm and then move into her house. Enjoy this winter time while the bees hibernate somewhat
and visit my website for some new information I just learned about keeping bees from your pool or other water source.  I say this with pride, "Happy Thanksgiving!"