Not many cities have the problem all year long like we do in Phoenix, and one of the most common issues is a beehive in Phoenix residential areas. Because of the Valley of the Sun’s warm climate, many bee species are able to set up shop in backyards and neighborhoods. Although these buzzing visitors are essential pollinators in our desert environment, it can be unsettling for you, your family, and your pets to find a beehive on your property.
Over the last decade, the rapid urban expansion of the city into colonies of bees has contributed enormously to conflicts between humans and bees. Professional beehive control in Phoenix can help you identify any concerns, allowing you to safely and effectively remove the bees from your yard without harming your family or these essential pollinators.
Common Types of Beehives Found in Phoenix
- Carpenter bee tunnels – A single bee will bore into soft, unpainted wood, such as eaves, decks, or fences, and create a round hole. Ultimately, these tunnels are not actual hives, but they do inflict structural damage over time.
- Ground Nests of Sweat Bees – These small, solitary bees dig shallow burrows in sandy soil, which appear as small mounds in yards and landscaping areas.
- Leafcutter Bee Cavities – Leafcutter bees bore into preexisting holes found in masonry, wood, or hollow plant stems, splitting up their nesting space by lining it with pieces of leaf they have collected and cut.
- Mason bee tubes – These create small, tube-like structures by enclosing the individual chambers with mud in crevices, just like leafcutter bees do.
Why Do Beehives Come to Homes In Phoenix?
Urban Development Displaces Natural Habitats
Due to Phoenix’s rapid growth, traditional nesting locations for bees have disappeared. In just 2023, the city of Phoenix approved more than 15,000 new housing units, forcing bees to find different places to go, reports the City of Phoenix. Many structures in your home resemble the natural cavities from which these insects came in desert landscapes.
Year-Round Warm Climate Supports Bee Activity
Phoenix’s average daily temperature for the winter months is 75°F, which allows colonies to stay active year-round, unlike northern cities, where hive activity decreases or ceases entirely from late fall until spring. This extra time within the activity period will enable bees to more easily and permanently settle in the area of your home.
Abundant Water Sources Attract Colonies
Oasis-like pools, irrigation systems, and vegetative features attract ecstatic bee colonies. According to the Arizona Department of Agriculture, 60% of local service calls reporting bees in Maricopa County are for bees attracted to residential water features.
Flowering Desert Plants Provide Food Sources
The native desert plants and non-native plants used in landscaping in the Phoenix area provide a year-round source of nectar for some species. Food highways, built by palo verde trees, mesquite, and commonly grown residential plants such as lantana, lead the bees straight to your neighborhood.
What To Do When They Make Their Way To Your Home?
The first step is to take the necessary action, but it must be done safely. First, back away and do not disturb the area because upset bees can get violent very fast. Do not try to get rid of hives on your own by means of sprays or fire; you only increase the risk of spreading the colony to other parts of your house.
Green Mango Pest Control has extensive experience dealing with the unique situations we face in Phoenix, and they know how local species tend to behave. It helps ensure human safety and responsible bee management by employing specialized equipment and techniques designed specifically for Arizona bee populations.
They can identify different bee species, which allows them to use the proper removal method. In addition, they offer follow-up treatments to avoid re-infestation and can seal all entry points that will attract colonies in the future.
