Bees all up in my bidness!

Why am I getting all sorts of honey bees coming in my garage? I hate killing them, but when there's 3 or 4 buzzing all around my workbench (and my PC is out here as well), they get right up in my face. My wife is also crazy if a bee gets around her.

I've checked for any hives in the eaves and nearby trees..nothing. There's no garbage or anything in the garage and they don't even seem interested in my coffee (or other beverage).

I know they are probably just looking for food sources as it's getting pretty late in the year but this has never happened before. We've been here going on 4 yrs and nothing has really changed.

I know how to keep them out..just lower the door..but that's a pain when I'm in and out doing something.

Not looking for a solution so much as an explanation. Any ideas?

 

FWIW I have never been stung by a honeybee. They're pretty mellow fellas. However, killing a few honey bees will not impact the hive. I wouldn't be too concerned about swatting one that's annoying you.

Wasps and hornets are another matter. I get stung at least 4-5 times a year by them and I kill everyone I can around the house.

 

Crud...lost my reply....anyway.
I wouldn't mind so much if they came in flew around and left...but I think these critters are just stupid or stoned. And it's not just a couple...must have killed 15 or more so far today. Normally our wind picks up by 11AM or so and I guess they head back to the hive..not so the last few days.

I was stung once a long time back..but I think it was when I sat on one...no big deal. Not like when a horsefly bit me....that hurt like an SOB!

 

Vic, maybe they just want to keep you company in there, lol!

 

But I have you guys! I've tried to explain that to the bees...right after I smacked 'em. They don't listen.


Seriously..just noticed one that I watched for a while...he seemed real interested in a little tray I have on the pegboard. Lots of holes and crevices in the tray. I'm kinda thinking they may be looking for a winter home.... Do bees do that? They didn't back in VA. Left him alone and he flew out....I guess if 5 more show up I'll start smacking again.

 

Well...he must have gone back and danced... Prob 10 more showed up w/in 15-20 min.....all heding for the same area it seemed..I was in and out.

 

I had a bee problem a few years ago. The bug guy came out and took care of it.
He told me that if I see a small group of bees, or repeated individual bees hovering or crawling in a small area, that there is probably a nest in that area, or that the bees are beginning to build one there.
I'd check out that "tray"-around and behind it, very carefully. The "crevices and little holes" may be ideal for a nest.Possibly spray it with some wasp killer??[ When I saw the nest that the bug guy removed, it had man crevices and little hexagonal holes.]

Good Luck.

 

Hasn't gotten that far yet...it's just a small plastic tray for pencils, tape measure and such. I did close all the sliding cabinet doors...but they weren't seeming to be going there anyway.

I really think its just the fact that blooming season is pretty much over. When the pomagranate and crepe myrtle were blooming in front of the house I'd hardly ever see a bee in the garage, even though there were hundreds just 10 ft away.

 

LOL


antifreeze? does antifreeze have the same attraction to nectar seeking insects?
Usually bees look for consistent access. A garage is closed allot so you'd think they would lose interest in it as a place to make a hive? So unless you've got a hole somewhere like in the foundation...

 

Nope...no antifreeze...and where they seem to be hanging out the most there are no chemicals of any sort.

Since I don't have a man door to outside, my rollup is open from morning to night...same time the bees are active.

 

What do bees find unpleasant?
would your wife get suspicious if you started burning incense out there for the smoke?
Nah that would probably just irritate you. I know I can't stand the stuff.
Bug zapper... for bees? nah. nevermind.
Here is something if you end up needing it.
Cypermethrin, cyperactive, cynoff, demon, vikor, sniper

 

Just a thought, is the tray a different color. I have seen the shows where nectar seeking critters are zeroing in flowers because of the colors they see, although they do see in a different spectrum.

Bud

 

Well....I just noticed a few that were up around there yesterday...I may have over emphasized it. I have another tray further over that they don't pay any more attention than anything else.

The tray is just the dull blue plastic stuff from HD, though I do have 2 red and yellow tape measures up there....I'll move those and observe.

Ya know...I bet its the colors! Duh! They also seem to like hanging around my DeWalt compressor (yellow) on the dolly (red) and the shelves where my Ryobi Li tools (florescent green) are. And there are various Rigid tools (orange) and accessories of different colors all over my tool wall. They also like the full size Duke cutout I have on the door to the house.

Well, I can't spray paint everything gray so I guess I'll just hope for some wind and start swatting again if they get too numerous. Been pretty inactive today.

 

Been following this thread while having little or nothing to contribute. The color idea is intriguing and could very well be it. Good job to all.

Gunguy: Maybe you have too many tools! Nah, that can't be it. Try battleship gray; it is boring to man, beast, and insect alike.

 

Bugman....I've seen enough gray...battleship grey, deck gray, machinery grey, haze gray.....ackkk!