There is something soothing about the hum of a bumble bee lazily droning around a flower garden on a hot summer day. Well, at least for some people. Others don't find anything soothing about bees at all. Whether you enjoy bees or not, it is important to remember that some bees are beneficial to have around--while others are decidedly not beneficial. But even beneficial bees can become a hazard if nests are abundant or too close for comfort.
Bees That Are Harmful
If you are seeing what look like bumble bees (only without the yellow stripes on their back ends) hovering underneath decks or eaves, what you are looking at are carpenter bees. The females of this type of bee drill circular holes into untreated wood in order to create a hollow space for nesting. While a single female carpenter bee cannot do too much damage to a structure, offsprings from that one bee will expand the tunnel through branching activities and may result in considerable structural damage over time. This may result in areas becoming weakened so that accidents occur (such as a stair giving way under the weight of a person). This damage can also be made worse when woodpeckers peck at the damaged wood in order to get to the carpenter bee eggs inside the tunnels.
Another downside of having an infestation of carpenter bees is that they commonly defecate on a home directly below the opening of their hole, causing staining to occur. It is also important to note that female carpenter bees are able to sting. Though this is a relatively rare occurrence, it should not be taken lightly because their venom is strong enough to cause an allergic reaction in some people. And although male carpenter bees are not capable of stinging, they are very aggressive when it comes to defending their nests, and their threatening behavior can cause distress in people who are afraid of bees.
Bees That Are Beneficial
It is a well-known fact that bees are necessary in our world for food production as well as beauty. Bumble bees and honey bees provide pollination services, which results in the production of countless foods such as fruits, berries, nuts, leaves, roots, and seeds.
In addition to food production, bees also contribute greatly to the beauty of our gardens in that they pollinate flowers and flowering trees. And many of the trees pollinated by bees feed wildlife with their nuts, fruits, and berries.
Bees have also taught humans much in the way of design. For example, bees have inspired scientific and engineering projects such as the use of hexagons in engineering. In fact, besides humans, bees are perhaps the most studied creatures in the world.
Even Beneficial Bees Can Become A Problem
If you have noticed a bees' nest in or near your Rock Island, IL home, the experts here at Quik-Kill can help. Our trained service technicians possess the equipment and experience necessary to safely and effectively eliminate the threat. Contact us today for immediate assistance.