The Structure of the Beehive
A beehive is an enclosed structure that houses honey bees (genus Apis) and their young. Natural beehives, sometimes referred to as nests, are naturally created by honey bee colonies. While man-made beehives, or apiaries, are structured to house domesticated honey bees, it is the man-made housing that are often referred to as "beehives".
Species of the subgenus Apis are the only ones that live in hives, and only the Eastern honey bee (Apis cerana) and Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) are kept domesticated.
Honey bees are essential to human survival. Instinct may dictate humans to instantly kill them; however, thorough research should be performed and then the bees should be professionally relocated instead. Beehives can cause problems for households, especially when improperly located. Here are tips for the safe removal of beehives from your vicinity:
•Establish what type of bee is in the hive.
•Ask for professional help if the hive is large or difficult to access.
◦There are around 10,000 honey bees in a hive.
◦Hives may look small from the outside, but they are actually hidden deep in walls, chimneys, roofs, and trees.
◦Depending on the type of bees that live in the hives, some will sting or swarm you if their domain is threatened. Yellow jackets are one such bee.
•When the hive appears to house honey bees, you can contact a local bee keeper. They may be willing to relocate the bees for free or a nominal fee, especially now that honey bees are on the decline.
◦The yellow pages or online services may provide you with the information needed for a bee keeper or bee wrangler.
◦Ask general merchandise stores or local markets regarding bee keepers.
◦Call your local farmers' market or nursery for transactions with bee keepers.
•Beehive removal and extermination should be limited to small hives that are easily managed with the use of basic insecticides. Avoid larger hives and honey-producing hives.
•Call a professional if the hive is too large or too complicated for a novice bee handler. Relocating or removing large hives is dangerous and would require great skill, experience, and training.
•Repair tools and materials should be on standby when removing a large beehive from a house.
◦Walls and other parts of the house may need to be cut away for easier access.
•Bee proof the area where the hive cannot be removed, this would avoid further infestation.
•Be sure that the hive and all of the honey are removed.
◦Dead bees and honey may attract other insects, such as wax moths, ants, and other bees.
◦If the hive and honey are not completely removed, scout bees would find ways to move in and build new colonies.
•Where there is an active hive, make sure to evacuate children, seniors, pets, and those with allergies from the immediate area.
◦Only attempt to move small hives when the bees can be controlled by household chemicals, but never move a large hive without professional assistance.
•Wear socks, shoes, long sleeves, and other necessary clothing when approaching a hive.
•There are pros and cons in attempting to kill bees at night.
◦Bees are less active at night.
◦Bees are likely to stay inside the hive.
◦It is harder to see at night, which may cause inefficiency and accidents.