Bathroom bees

In the last 10 days about 8 bees have been found at various times in a second floor bathroom--some dead, some alive. Possible points of entry could be exhaust fan duct, abandoned fan outlet in soffit above ceiling, soffit vents, cracks in shingle siding, etc. What kind of bees are these and any suggestions about how to determine point of entry and means to eliminate/exterminate them in the room?



Several bees, some squashed.

This bee found dead onthe floor. No squashing involved.

 

I think those are wasps, not bees. Had a swarm of them in my vent duct work, nasty clean up.

 

I'm pretty sure they're honey bees. Don't think it's a good idea to kill them. Maybe you need to get one of those beekeeper's?
PAbugman will probably know what to do.

 

I don't think they're wasps. Wasps are longer and skinnier, I think.

 

I just had it confirmed by a botanist that they are yellow jackets (wasps). I am on the lookout for how they are getting in so I can locate the nest.

 

"...how to determine point of entry..."
You just need to spend some time outside and look for where they enter. It sounds like you already know what to look for. Around my house if their nest isn't hanging out in the open they usually come in through a crack in the siding. Sealing the entrance is a good start. Getting access to or removing the nest can be more complicated as it can be located some distance away from their entry point so I either let them be or close up their entrance.

 

Yellow jackets generally make their nest in the ground but do occasionally get behind siding. Mornings and evenings are probably the best time to hunt for their nest.

 

Yikes! Interesting. I always thought yellow jackets were bees.

 

I've seen a problem happen that not everyone is aware of. As the window springs get weaker the upper window doesn't always stay closed and opens a tiny bit. Many windows will still lock so the upper window issue is not seen.

 

Yes, yellow jackets. Go outside on the next sunny day with binoculars and patiently scan the bathroom exterior for activity. There will be, usually, a single entry/exit point. Don't seal/caulk anything until the nest/colony is treated.
Visually inspect the vent flapper for the bathroom to see if it is stuck open, which would allow an appealing place for a nest. If the vent is not the problem, go inside the bathroom and carefully check the drywall and ceiling for thin/weak spots. There could be a nest in a wall/ceiling void. They always chew away at the wall where the nest is started against the dry wall. I've seen them chew all but the paint and thin paper layer, but a crack forms just big enough for entry. Sometimes if you make things real quiet, on a sunny day, you can hear rustling sounds.

In the fortunate event that you locate the swarming activity outside, access will be the next problem. Is there a 1st story roof that you could stand on or erect a short ladder to reach the bathroom? Double extension ladders from the ground can get hairy when dealing with angry stinging things.

Aerosols made for bees/wasps, yj's/hornets will work if a direct shot can be made into the entry exit point. Just spraying at the opening from a distance won't be good enough. When you find out more where the entry point is, get back with us. Maybe pictures? Sometimes, I've been able to lean out a window and treat the opening.

 

In the time before and since I posted this I found 6 dead and 3 live yellowjackets in the bathroom (one swimming in the toilet) and one dead at the bottom of the stairs, but no activity in the last 5 days. I am away on weekends and the temperature in the house has gone above 95. Bathroom door kept closed. Could this have been a scouting party that died from high heat and lack of water and did not return to inform the colony? Minimal observation but no activity visible at the wall/trim/vents outside. Haven't checked the walls or ceiling for soft spots or noise. The walls are lath and plaster with tile halfway up. The ceiling is drywall (lowered for pipes at addition above) about 6 inches below original lath & plaster ceiling.

 

No, they don't do scouting parties or travel in swarms. They start a small nest and get bigger fast. This is the right time of year for their nest to become big enough to where they overpopulate. There is a nest in a wall/ceiling/floor void somewhere. It's odd that you would find one outside of the bathroom; is there space under the door where one could have crawled through? Maybe the exterior inspection needs to be expanded.

Is there attic space above the bathroom? If so, is it accessible? Probably extremely hot up there. Check the bathroom ceiling for soft spots. Periodically thump the hard dry wall in spots with a fist and listen for a buzzing. That can be a giveaway. I used to carry a cheap stethoscope to listen for the rustling/buzzing noises they make. Keep us posted.

 

There is a large gap at the bottom of the door so I was not surprised that one got through.

No attic above. Originally a flat roof but now a bathroom above in a 3rd floor addition. Ceiling is drywall below pipe space below original plaster & lath ceiling with lots of openings to partially insulated joist space. Exhaust fan also penetrates both ceiling surfaces.

I will continue to investigate.