Bees in My Yard: The Questions We Answer for Free Every Day
Every day someone calls us and says, “There are bees in my yard, what do I do?”
Most of the time the honest answer is that they do not need us.
We are beekeepers before we are anything else, so we are happy to explain what they are looking at, and a lot of these calls end with the caller saying “oh, that’s all it is?” and hanging up relieved.
We would rather you hear that from us than lie awake wondering.
Here are the ones we hear most, with what we tell people.
A Cluster of Bees Hanging From a Tree or Patio Cover
One of the calls goes something like this... A homeowner walks out one morning and there is a dark, football-sized cluster hanging from a tree branch or the corner of a patio cover. It looks alarming, and it is a swarm taking a break.
The bees have left their old home with a queen and are resting while scout bees look for a new address. In our experience they are often gone within a day or two, sometimes sooner.
Swarming bees are usually focused on the queen, not on you, so the best thing is to keep kids and pets back and let them sort out their plans. Nobody has ever talked a swarm out of a tree by yelling at it. If they are still there after a couple of days, or they have started building comb, that is when we come out.
I Have Bees at My Pool!
The second popular call is with the pool and spa.
Bees do not read the signs about the pool being for people.
Honeybees like to collect water to cool the hive, and a backyard pool in the desert is the most reliable water for blocks around. Once a few bees find it, they keep coming back, and they tell friends.
The fix is not complicated. Set out a shallow dish of water with some pebbles in it for the bees to stand on, somewhere away from where people swim, and keep it filled. If you give them a better option they may take it. Be patient, because it can take a little while for the habit to change.
Insects That Turn Out Not to Be Bees
The third call is a case of mistaken identity. Someone has a big, loud, shiny black insect hovering around the eaves and is certain it is a bee.
It is often a carpenter bee, which drills neat round holes in wood and then hangs around looking important. The males hover and bluster but cannot sting, and carpenter bees are entirely unconcerned with how they make you feel.
The damage to your wood is real, though, so we will tell you honestly that it is a different problem and point you toward the right fix.
Wasps get mixed up with bees constantly too. Wasps tend to look slimmer and shinier, with a pinched waist and far less fuzz. The wasp did not ask to be mistaken for a bee, and it also did not correct anyone.
Bees Working Your Flowers
Then there are the bees on your flowers, which may be the easiest call we take. Bees working your lavender or your citrus blossoms are busy foraging and have no interest in you. They are away from their hive, and a bee away from the hive is a pretty relaxed bee.
You may even see bumblebees pollinating in your yard. They are large, yellow and black, and fuzzy. Please leave them alone and they will leave you alone, and your garden will do better for it.
When Bees in Your Yard Mean a Colony in Your Wall
Now for the call where we say to please phone us right away.
If you see steady bee traffic going in and out of one small opening, such as a gap in a block wall, a crack near a window, a utility box, or the soffit of the house, you probably have an established colony inside.
Bees going in and out all day, a low hum from within the wall, or bees showing up in the house are the signs.
Please leave the spray can in the garage, and do not seal the opening either. Closing the entrance traps the colony, and in our summers the heat can soften the comb and honey inside the wall, which then goes where you do not want it.
People occasionally try this themselves. It rarely ends the way they pictured it going. We relocate colonies alive, we care for them as our own, and nothing about that is rushed or rough.
Not Sure What You Are Seeing? Just Ask!
Here is what we hope you take from all of this. Calling us does not commit you to anything. If you are not sure what you are seeing, describe it to us, or send a photo, and we will tell you straight whether it is a bee problem, a wasp problem, or no problem at all.
If it does turn out to be a colony that needs to move, you already know who we are and how we work. That is a good deal for everyone, and for the bees most of all. We are here to help so don't hesitate to call us (702)472-3869.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the bees in my yard dangerous?
Usually not. Bees foraging on flowers or drinking water are away from their home and rarely sting unless swatted at or stepped on. The situation changes when a colony is established in a wall, meter box, or similar spot, because bees defend their nest. If you see steady traffic through one small opening, keep your distance and call a beekeeper.
How long will a swarm stay in my tree?
Often only a day or two, though it can vary. The cluster is resting while scout bees look for a permanent home. If they are still there after a couple of days or you see comb forming, it is time to call.
Why are bees in my pool?
Bees need water to cool their hive, and a pool is easy to find in the desert. Offering a shallow dish of water with pebbles, set away from the swimming area, gives them a place to land and sometimes redirects them over time.
Should I seal the hole where bees are going into my wall?
No. Sealing the opening traps the colony inside, and the stored honey and comb can melt and leak through the wall in Las Vegas heat. A beekeeper can relocate the colony alive and clean up the space properly.
Betsy & Pete
🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy Lewis and Pete Rizzo - Beekeepers on a Mission in Las Vegas
We’re not just in the bee business, we’re in the bee-saving business. Trained by a master beekeeper and backed by hundreds of successful removals, we are dedicated to rescuing and relocating honey bees with care and precision.
Every swarm we save and every hive we manage reflects our deep love for the bees.
At our Joshua Tree Preserve in Arizona, we care for dozens of thriving hives. Some wild, some honey-bearing, and all are part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.
Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring
Beekeeping is always evolving, and so are we. We stay on the cutting edge by continuing our education, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and refining our beekeeping practices and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for both bees and people.
Whether it’s advanced bee removal strategies or the latest natural methods, we’re always one step ahead.
We’re also proud to support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies for everyone. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.
