Africanized honey bees, paper wasps, and yellow jackets are all established in Southern Nevada. A nest near a door, pool, or play area isn’t something to handle yourself, especially when it’s bees.
What are you dealing with?
- Honey bees. Fuzzy and golden brown. Africanized bees look the same as regular honey bees but defend their nest much more aggressively. They nest in wall voids, water meter and irrigation boxes, palm trees, and old grills.
- Paper wasps. Slender, with long legs that dangle in flight. They build open, umbrella-shaped paper nests under eaves, patio covers, and railings.
- Yellow jackets. Bright black and yellow and compact. They nest in the ground or inside walls and get aggressive around food and trash in late summer.
Signs of a nest
- Steady bee or wasp traffic in and out of one spot, like a crack, vent, or meter box
- A humming sound coming from a wall
- Paper nests under eaves or patio covers
- Bees or wasps hanging around your pool, fountain, or hose
Never plug or spray a hole that bees are using. They’ll find another way out, sometimes into the house.
What our treatment does
We identify what you have, treat the nest safely, and let you know what needs to happen afterward so the area stays clear.
What treatment can’t do
We’ll be straight with you: treating a nest takes care of the colony, but it doesn’t keep new swarms from moving into the same spot. Bees that nested inside a wall can leave comb and honey behind that should be removed, and open holes need to be sealed so another swarm doesn’t move in.
What actually helps
- Keep your distance. Keep kids and pets away from any nest until it’s been treated.
- Seal the openings. Close gaps in walls, eaves, and meter box lids once a nest has been treated.
- Check the usual spots. Look in water meter boxes and under patio covers in spring.
- Cover food and trash. Keep lids on trash cans and cover food outside in late summer.
Common questions
How can I tell if bees are Africanized?
You can’t by looking. Africanized honey bees look just like regular honey bees. The difference is behavior: they defend a much larger area around the nest, in much greater numbers. Treat every bee nest near your home as if it could be Africanized and keep your distance.
What should I do if bees start chasing me?
Run in a straight line to a car or building and get inside, covering your face as you go. Don’t swat, and don’t jump into a pool, because the bees will wait for you to come up. Call 911 if someone has many stings or trouble breathing.
Will a swarm of bees go away on its own?
Often, yes. A swarm resting on a branch or wall is usually just passing through and moves on within a day or two, so leave it alone and keep people and pets away. Bees flying in and out of one opening for days have moved in, and that nest needs treatment.
Tips and tricks
If bees start chasing you, run. Africanized bees defend a wide area around their nest, so don’t stand still or swat.
- Run in a straight line and get inside a building or car as fast as you can.
- Pull your shirt up over your face to protect your eyes, nose, and mouth while you run.
- Don’t jump into a pool. The bees will wait for you to come up.
- Call 911 if someone has many stings, is allergic, or has trouble breathing.
Get help with stinging insects
Spotted a hive or nest on your property? We’ll identify it, treat it safely, and give you an honest plan.
Other pests we handle: Scorpions, Cockroaches, Ants, Spiders, Rodents, Crickets, Bed Bugs, Flies & Gnats, Mosquitoes, Ticks & Fleas, Beetles, Centipedes & Millipedes, Silverfish, Pillbugs & Sowbugs. See the full pest library.