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How to Tell If You Have Bees in Your Wall (and What to Do About It)
- Pete Rizzo
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
Discovering bees living inside your walls can be both fascinating and concerning. While these bees play a role in our ecosystem, having them take up residence in your home's structure requires careful attention and proper action.
If you're a Las Vegas homeowner dealing with desert conditions or anywhere else, our guide will help you identify the signs, understand the risks, and take appropriate steps to address the situation safely.
The Top Signs You Have Bees in Your Wall
Persistent buzzing sounds coming from inside walls, especially during daylight hours
Dark stains or sticky honey seeping through walls or ceilings
Increased bee activity around specific areas of your home's exterior
Small holes or entry points in siding, soffit, or wall cracks
Sweet smell near walls where the colony is located
Understanding Why Bees Choose Your Walls
Bees are constantly searching for safe, enclosed spaces to establish their colonies. Your home's walls provide several attractive features: protection from weather, predators, and temperature fluctuations.
The hollow spaces between studs create perfect cavities that mimic natural tree hollows where bees would typically nest in the wild.
In desert climates like Las Vegas, wall cavities offer especially valuable temperature regulation and protection from extreme heat. Bees can access these spaces through surprisingly small openings - gaps as tiny as 1/4 inch around pipes, electrical fixtures, or where different building materials meet.
The Tell-Tale Signs: How to Identify Bees in Your Walls
Listen for the Buzz
One of the most noticeable signs of bees in your walls is a persistent buzzing sound, especially during daylight hours. This sound typically intensifies during warmer parts of the day when bee activity increases.
Place your ear against different sections of your wall - if you hear a consistent humming or buzzing, especially in the same location over several days, this strongly indicates a colony has moved in.
The sound may vary depending on the colony size. A newly established colony might produce a softer hum, while a well-established hive with thousands of bees will create a more pronounced buzzing that you can hear from several feet away.
Watch for Visual Clues
Honey and Wax Stains: If you notice dark patches emerging on your walls or ceilings, this could be a sign of a honeybee infestation.
These stains appear when honey seeps through drywall or when wax comb puts pressure against the interior wall surface. If you are noticing dark stains on your wall or sticky substance running down the wall, there is a good chance you may have a bee colony in your wall.
Increased Bee Traffic: Look for consistent bee activity around specific areas of your home's exterior. You might notice bees flying in and out of small gaps, cracks, or holes in your siding, particularly during morning and late afternoon hours when foraging activity peaks.
Entry Points: Examine your home's exterior for small holes or gaps. Bees only need tiny spaces to access wall cavities, so check around utility penetrations, where different materials meet, and areas where caulking may have failed.
Follow Your Nose
Established bee colonies often produce a distinctive sweet, honey-like aroma that can be detected near the wall where they've taken residence. This smell becomes more noticeable as the colony grows and produces more honey and wax.
What NOT to Do: Common Mistakes That Make Things Worse
Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand what actions can escalate the problem:
Never plug entry holes without removing the colony first. This traps the bees inside, often causing them to find new exit routes deeper into your home's structure or to die inside the walls, creating additional problems.
Avoid using pesticides or sprays. There's no 'natural' way to remove bees from a wall. If you try any of the methods that don't involve cutting into the wall, you are leaving behind the comb and honey which is a recipe for absolute disaster at some point in the future.
Killing the bees without removing the comb and honey attracts other pests and can cause structural damage as the honey ferments and expands.
Don't ignore the problem hoping it will resolve itself. Bee colonies typically grow larger over time, making removal more complex and expensive.
Professional vs. DIY: When to Call the Experts
When You Must Call Professionals
Bees inside a hollow wall should only be removed by a honey bee control and removal specialist in most cases. Here's when professional help is non-negotiable:
The colony has been established for more than a few weeks
You can see honey staining on interior walls
The buzzing sound is loud and consistent
You're allergic to bee stings
The colony is located in a difficult-to-access area
You're uncomfortable working with live bees
What Professionals Bring to the Job
Professional bee removal specialists have specialized equipment including thermal cameras to locate colonies, protective gear, and experience in safely accessing wall cavities.
A bee removal specialist costs between $225 and $2,000 on average but could save you from further infestation later.
Many professionals also focus on live removal and relocation rather than extermination, which is better for bee populations and often more effective long-term.
DIY Approaches: Proceed with Extreme Caution
If you're dealing with a very new, small colony and feel confident in your abilities, there are some approaches to consider. However, remember that most successful bee-in-wall situations require some level of wall opening to fully resolve the issue.
The Smoking Method
The concept of smoking bees out is quite simple. Create a smoky atmosphere to discourage or move the bees away from the area where they're trying to establish a colony in a building.
This technique works best for newly arrived swarms that haven't yet built substantial comb.
How to do it safely:
Use a bee smoker or natural materials like pine needles
Apply smoke near the entry point during cooler parts of the day
Wear protective clothing including long sleeves, pants, and a hat
Have an escape route planned
Only attempt this if the colony is very new (less than a week old)
Prevention and Early Intervention
The best approach is prevention. Regularly inspect your home's exterior for potential entry points and seal them with appropriate materials. Pay special attention to areas where different building materials meet, around utility penetrations, and where caulking may have failed.
Understanding the Risks: Why Quick Action Matters
Structural Damage
Established bee colonies can cause significant structural issues. Honey can seep into insulation, drywall, and wooden framing. Over time, this can lead to staining, wood rot, and compromised structural integrity. The weight of large combs can also put stress on wall supports.
Secondary Pest Problems
Wax and honey stains attract other pests including ants, roaches, and other insects. If bees die inside the wall without proper removal, the decaying colony becomes a breeding ground for various pests and can create odor problems.
Recurring Infestations
Bees are attracted to areas where colonies previously existed due to lingering pheromones and scents. Without proper cleanup and bee-proofing, you're likely to face repeat infestations in the same location.
The Professional Removal Process: What to Expect
Understanding what professional removal involves helps you make informed decisions and set appropriate expectations:
Step 1: Assessment and Location
Professionals use thermal cameras and listening devices to precisely locate the colony and assess its size. This determines the best removal approach and helps estimate costs.
Step 2: Safe Access
This typically involves cutting strategic openings in the wall to access the colony with minimal structural damage. Experienced professionals know how to minimize repair needs.
Step 3: Live Removal
The bees are carefully removed using specialized vacuums and techniques that preserve the colony for relocation when possible.
Step 4: Comb and Honey Removal
All comb, honey, and bee-related materials are completely removed from the wall cavity. This step is crucial for preventing future problems.
Step 5: Cleanup and Bee-Proofing
The area is thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and sealed to prevent re-infestation. Southeast Bee Removal always bee proofs it from the inside as well for double protection to ensure bees can't return to the same location.
Step 6: Repair Coordination
Many bee removal specialists work with contractors to properly repair wall openings and restore your home's appearance.
Cost Considerations: Investment vs. Long-Term Problems
While professional bee removal might seem expensive upfront, consider the long-term costs of improper handling:
Structural repairs from honey damage can cost thousands
Recurring infestations require repeated treatments
Secondary pest problems create ongoing expenses
Property value impacts from visible damage or ongoing issues
Professional removal, typically ranging from hundreds to low thousands depending on complexity, often represents the most cost-effective long-term solution.
Special Considerations for Desert Climates
Las Vegas and other desert homeowners face unique challenges:
Extreme Temperatures: Wall cavities provide crucial temperature regulation for bees in desert climates, making them particularly attractive nesting sites.
Limited Natural Alternatives: With fewer natural nesting sites available, bees are more likely to choose human structures.
Seasonal Patterns: Be especially vigilant during spring months when new colonies are establishing and fall when existing colonies are seeking winter shelter.
Preventive Measures: Keeping Bees Out
The most effective approach combines regular maintenance with strategic improvements:
Regular Inspection Schedule
Check your home's exterior monthly for new gaps or damage
Pay attention to areas where you've seen bee activity in the past
Look for signs of wear around utility penetrations and building material joints
Sealing Strategies
Use appropriate caulking for different types of gaps
Install mesh over larger openings like vents while maintaining ventilation
Address foundation cracks and settling issues promptly
Landscape Considerations
While you don't want to eliminate bee-friendly plants entirely, consider the placement of highly attractive flowering plants relative to your home's structure.
When Bees Are Actually Beneficial
It's worth noting that not all bee presence requires removal. Bees foraging in your garden or temporarily resting on your property are typically beneficial and harmless. The concern arises specifically when they establish permanent residence within your home's structure.
Making the Right Decision for Your Situation
Every bee-in-wall situation is unique. Consider these factors when deciding your approach:
Timeline: How long have the bees been present?
Location: How accessible is the colony?
Size: How extensive does the buzzing and activity appear?
Your comfort level: Are you comfortable working around bees?
Budget: Can you invest in professional removal now, or are you risking higher costs later?
Final Thoughts: Balancing Respect and Practicality
Bees play a vital role in our ecosystem, and whenever possible, removal and relocation is preferable to extermination. However, when bees establish colonies within your home's structure, action is necessary to protect both your property and your family's safety.
The key is acting promptly while choosing the approach that best fits your situation. Whether you opt for professional removal or carefully consider DIY methods, the most important factor is addressing the situation completely - half-measures typically lead to bigger problems down the road.
Remember that in most cases, professional removal provides the best outcome for both you and the bees. These specialists have the experience, equipment, and knowledge to resolve the situation safely and permanently while often preserving the colony for relocation to a more appropriate location.
By staying alert to the signs, understanding your options, and taking appropriate action, you can successfully address bees in your walls while contributing to the preservation of these important pollinators in more suitable locations.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy and Pete — 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—all 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—from curious beginners to seasoned pros. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.
