Bee Smart. Bee Aware. Bee Careful.

Killer Bee Attacks…A Very Real Problem in Arizona.

If you see a beehive or multiple bees hovering around or flying in and out of a specific area or object on your property CALL US immediately to have a bee expert remove the hive or determine whether one is present. Bee attacks can occur instantly without provocation and result in death – do not take a chance.

Africanized Killer Bee: This is the predominant species of honeybee found in Arizona. The daunting name “Killer Bee” is derived from their method of aggressively attacking people and animals in swarms of thousands, often resulting in severe injury and sometimes death. Their vicious attacks often occur without provocation, so the best defense is to ensure that your property and surrounding areas do not present attractive nesting sites.

Nesting Habits: Africanized Killer Bees nest in a variety of places including hollow trees, walls, porches, sheds, attics, utility boxes, garbage containers, trash piles, and abandoned vehicles so nesting habits cannot be accurately predicted.

Proactive Safety Measures: Bee attacks cannot be prevented but taking the following actions can minimize them:

• Vigilance – do not leave unnecessary items where bees can nest lying in your yard or surrounding area
• Have your building or home professionally sealed by a team of our Service Specialists to prevent bees from nesting in wall cracks, attics, and other potentially attractive sites

Why Call Atomic Pest Control? Because our bee division is well known and highly respected statewide for its expertise, particularly with Africanized Killer Bees. This division only performs bee related services. All services are fully guaranteed and include the following:

• Emergency rapid response service statewide
• Beehive removal
• Pheromone Enhanced Bee-Trapping
• Honeycomb Extractions

Protect Your Home in the Southwest

The desert southwest is a great location for bees to live in. It is mild in the winters and hot in the summers, so plants and trees are always flowering. If you find a swarm of bees hanging in a tree, give them some space, it may be that they are resting there for the time being and could be moving on shortly. If they stay for longer than a day Atomic Pest Control should be called to remove them before they set up a hive. If you find bees going in and out of a whole in a structure you should call Atomic Pest Control as soon as possible. Chances are they have already set up a hive and the longer you wait the larger the problem will become.

Here are some things that you can do to protect your home or business from bees:

Inspect your property on a weekly basis. Check trees, water valve boxes and eaves of building making sure to take note of any gaps or cracks in exterior walls where bees could enter.
Seal any openings that are found, this will prevent a swarm from moving in and setting up a hive.
If you have a free-standing shed on your property make sure to inspect the base as well as the roof line of it. Bees love to set up hives under sheds, its stays cool and damp under there.
If you have had trouble with bees in the past make sure to pay special attention to areas where bees have frequented. Bees will usually go back to the previous location of infestation due to the pheromones left behind by the previous colony.

If you are concerned with bees entering your home or business call today and schedule an estimate for bee proofing your home or business!

What to do in a bee attack?

If you are attacked or stung by bees here are a few precautions, you should take to avoid serious complications:

• If you are being attacked you should move away from the area as quickly as possible, making sure to shield your face and airways from the bees as those will be the places they seek to attack first. Do not swat at the bees as this will only cause them to become more aggressive.
• Seek refuge indoors away from the bees or in a vehicle where you can physically remove yourself from the area. Never jump into a pool thinking you can get away; the bees will wait for you to surface and attack.
• If you are allergic to bees, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• If you are stung by a bee, you should scrape the stinger away from the skin with a blunt object like the edge of a credit card. This will effectively remove the stinger and the venom sack. If the stinger and venom sack is not removed the venom will continue to pump into your body.
• After the stinger is removed you should wash the sting site with soap and water. Apply ice to reduce pain and limit any swelling. If an allergic reaction occurs such as hives appearing over large areas of the body or you have trouble breathing or have blurred vision you should seek medical attention or call 911.
• If you receive more than 5 bee stings at one time you should seek medical attention even if an allergic reaction does not occur. Reason being there is a risk of toxic envenomation (bee venom overdose) that could take effect hours after the sting has occurred.

Whether your bee concerns are residential, apartments, commercial buildings, or golf courses call the bee experts at Atomic Pest Control when reliability and consistency are important.

Phoenix: 480.832.8888 or 602.274.9220 – Payson: 928.474.3991 or Flagstaff: 928.526.0168

When Reliability and Consistency Count