Got bees this spring? How to get them out of your Charlotte yard humanely
It’s honeybee season in Charlotte, and for those with a fear of the buzzing creatures or an allergy to their stings, their presence can be much more than a nuisance.
But, experts say, it’s important to not kill bees given their critical role in our ecosystem.
If you’re dealing with a bee swarm on your property, there are things you can try to send the bees away from your immediate vicinity without harming them or the environment. And many beekeepers in the Charlotte area can help you navigate the situation.
Here’s what to know about how to take care of bees humanely:
How to get rid of bees without killing them
Honeybees are “primary pollinators” in the U.S., the federal Department of Agriculture explains, and are also at risk - with the number of hives in the country decreasing “from 6 million in the 1940s to about 2.5 million today.”
If you’re dealing with a swarm, it’s important to try to get rid of the bees without killing them.
Bees are very sensitive to smell, Competitive Pest Services notes, so strong scents such as garlic, cinnamon, moth balls and smoke can drive them out of your home or yard.
Watering your lawn regularly will also help keep away ground bees, the company adds.
You can also call in a beekeeper to remove the bees and find them a safe place.
Beekeepers in Charlotte, NC
In the Charlotte area, the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association maintains a list of beekeepers who will help homeowners with removing honeybee swarms.
The group can’t help with bumblebees, hornets or yellow jackets, it notes. And some beekeepers “charge a nominal fee for removing bees from structures.”
To find contact information for a beekeeper that serves your neighborhood, visit meckbees.org/swarms.html.
