HOUSTON, Texas – It’s that time of year we Houstonians love... hot, sticky weather and, of course, lots of bugs.
With the recent rain we’ve had, we’re likely to see more mosquitoes buzzing around and, unfortunately, some bee infestations too. To help you take the sting out of your summer, we teamed up with a pest control specialist to survey a few homes.
During our inspection, Claude Griffin from Gotcha Pest Control shared some insights. He said it’s all about inspecting homes for those pesky bee infestations that often go unnoticed, both inside and outside.
We found a problem right away, on the corner of a house in Fort Bend County.
Griffin pointed out, “Right here, if he pokes the ceiling, the honey’s gonna pour out directly from the ceiling, like syrup on a pancake. And those bees aren’t just behind the brick. That’s just a facade. The AC unit runs through there, and they’re actually inside the floorboard. I would estimate 50 to 60,000 bees in this one spot. You’re going to have to go in and tear all of that out. You gotta do an electricity check.”
Griffin said it’s crucial to keep an eye on your property because the upkeep of your yard can go a long way in keeping out insects, including bees.
He also said to make sure and keep your grass cut, trim your shrubs, and seal your windows and foundations.
But even well-manicured properties can be overrun by bees.
Griffin explained that they love to exploit openings in metal boxes that house electrical and fiber optic cables. In one small box, he estimated about 40,000 bees were buzzing inside.
Can you imagine?
He also answered an important question: How long is it going to take the average person to realize and recognize that they have a problem like that?
“As soon as he comes out and makes his first snip on these hedges,” said Griffin. “If they detect pheromones and get unexpectedly startled, they can be on you right away.
If you’re allergic or sensitive to bee stings, one simple precaution is to buy an EPI pen. You can purchase them starting at $9.99.
But bees aren’t the only concern this time of year, especially with the humidity and recent rain. Another big problem that many people deal with across the Houston area is mosquitoes.
It’s important to remember that bees are vital to our environment through their role in pollination.
Griffin, like many other reputable insect experts, removes bees humanely and works to relocate them to bee farms.
So, while we enjoy the summer sun, let’s also be mindful of our buzzing friends and take the necessary steps to keep our homes pest-free.
