All posts in “honeybees”

What are my Top 5 Arizona bug calls for the summer?

 

Top 5 Bug Calls of the summer to ProBest Pest Management

 

  1. Scorpions (of course).
  2. Ants
  3. Cockroaches (mainly American – outside issues) due to heat and lack of water.
  4. Honeybees.
  5. Termites

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We never talk about the “Good Bugs, why is that?

 

Most people don’t really care for bugs, but there are some good ones. What are they: Praying Mantis, Butterflies, Lady Bugs well you get the drift. On that note did you know there is a Butterfly Wonderland right here in Scottsdale just off the Hwy 101 in the east valley.

 

They also have exhibits on “Live Ant Colony and Honey Bee Extravaganza. Check them out and let’s be nice to the unsung hero’s of our gardens and flowers. Here is an interesting article “Learn to recognize the “good guys“.

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Photo by PPMA

Where do Honeybees make their home?

Well almost anywhere!

 

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These are meter boxes, usually they seek out areas that are hidden and away from people such as these closed meter boxes. I also always thought these boxes were to small, but I guess I would be wrong. Africanized Honeybees swarm 30% more often and maybe it has to do with space.

So bee careful out there, as they will make their home almost anywhere.

Emergency Bee Calls are up

Emergency bee calls are up in the Valley, honeybees have no idea what is a good place and where is the bad place. This call was right about 2 electronic doors and every time the door opened some bees flew in. A unique situation because they had this super big lobby area and there were bees everywhere inside and they weren’t happy. Here are a few facts to remember about swarm bees:

  • Typically when they swarm they ingest lots of honey, usually they are more docile.
  • They are not defending an actual hive yet, so again a little more docile – doesn’t mean that they can’t get agitated.
  • Usually as warm lands and sends out scouts, once they find a suitable home they will usually leave.
  • Bees at a water fountain are just there for water, lone bees will not attack unless you mess with them.
  • If you are stung seek medical attention, especially if allergic. Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
  • Use caution as you are dealing with possibly dangerous insects.

 

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Have you ever witnessed a swarm?

A swarm occurs when its time to divide the colony.

 

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Have you ever seen a swarm, maybe ants, termites or honeybees? Comment below.

Bees are being used to fight poverty.

 

An excellent article “Using bees to fight poverty“, appeared in the Christian Science Monitor by Cathryn J. Prince. I think this is a great way to produce extra food and maybe make some extra cash in places where cash or food is of great concern.

Some key items, they only go to places when asked and they help to teach people the trade or to increase honey production. Great job!

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Photo by PPMA

 

Don’t believe everything you read!

 

I know this is correct , cause  just week I read a report published by Abraham Lincoln on why he didn’t trust the internet. I think all of us play a hand in what is and isn’t truthful on the internet and I get called weekly where someone says I read the internet and blah, blah blah. I had a customer a year or so ago, tell me emphatically that Bed Bugs can jump out of a dumpsters. The only way that Bed Bug is getting out of that dumpster is if someone jumps in there and removes something. By the way that dumpster was in the direct sunlight and in the middle of the summer it would probably die within hours from our heat.

One more thing that just gets me, is when we jump to conclusions before we have all the facts. Remember that honeybee thing a year ago, was it cell towers or was it pesticides, or was it global warming? Well no one knew for sure but everyone with their own agendas were posting the blame everywhere. If the bee issue is caused by something, then we need to investigate quickly and stop the problem. I believe the E.U. stopped the use of neonicotinoids before all the data was in, but anyway I ran across an excellent article from Alan Caruba  “Another Environmental Lie Exposed: Bees are thriving.”

What do pesticides do? They protect us against trillions of insect and rodent pests that spread diseases while some represent millions in property damage—termites—every year.

So here is what I suggest, lets get the facts before we run off to damage an industry that contributes to Public Health and the betterment of our lives. Remember that mosquitoes continue to kill over a million people each year and rodents contaminate and damage grains and food.

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If your allergic, it might only take one sting to kill you.

 

This story from Texas is sad, but it gives us insight into the fact that just one sting from an insect could kill you. “Texas student dies after allergic reaction reportedly caused by ants on football field“.

Just one sting from a honeybee or wasp can kill some people, it is more rare for Fire Ants to kill someone. However the Red Imported Fire Ant continues its move across the U.S. Here is some information from the University of Florida – IFAS office on Red Imported Fire Ants.

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What triggers the attack of Africanized Honeybees?

 

Loud noises or vibrations,  sometimes just the smell – maybe aftershave or cologne and for sure don’t throw things. Here is some information from WikiHow at http://www.wikihow.com/Escape-from-Killer-Bees with pictures.

An incident this last week in Tucson can remind us of the dangers that surround us. Children at an early stage should be instructed in what is good and what is bed in nature. That is one reason why Dr. Bug teaches a class at the Chandler Environmental Education Center.

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What’s happening in your neighborhood?

This story scared me and I wanted to bee sure everyone paid attention to issues in your neighborhood. This story takes place in Florida but could easily be Arizona,  Texas or any place where bees can make a home. This home in Port Orange, Florida had been plagued in the past but now that it is vacant it continues to be a problem in their neighborhood. I suggest that we all have something at stake in a neighborhood where there might be a foreclosed or vacant home. Here are my tips to stay safe when it comes to bees:

  • Check your home monthly especially in the Spring and Fall for unwanted guests.
  • Check the roof line and if you have a crawlspace make sure all doors are sealed.
  • Home seal your home.
  • Check the door thresholds, make sure they are sealed.
  • Check screens, repair or adjust if needed.
  • Check out building as well, sheds, cottages etc.
  • Bee work may not be a Do It Yourself (DIY) project, use caution or call a Pest Management Professional.

DIY   or maybe NOT!

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