How to Get Rid of Meat Bees in Your Home

Nobody wants pests living in their house, especially ones that can potentially cause harm to you, your loved ones, or your property. Each type of pest comes with its own set of problems and requires different methods of dealing with the issues. One pest you might have in your home is meat bees. Here is an overview of this pest, along with some ways to get rid of meat bees from your home.

What Are Meat Bees?

Meat bees are a type of wasp that are also known as yellowjackets. They are similar in appearance and size to honey bees, but their body is segmented differently, they have a shinier appearance and a pointier body. The main reason meat bees are such a problem pest is that they are aggressive and territorial, and they have a nasty sting. If a meat bee feels under threat, it will attack and sting. These pests are known as meat bees because they have a protein-rich diet, and they are attracted to meat. Although they usually eat insects, meat left out by humans is easier for them to access. Therefore, if you are eating a BBQ outside, you might find that meat bees are attracted to your food. Meat bees are also attracted to sugary foods.

How to Get Rid of Meat Bees from Your Home

There are several methods of getting rid of meat bees from your home. These include preventative measures, expert nest removal, and dealing with the problem yourself. The following are some of the best methods of getting rid of meat bees from your house.

Method 1: Hanging Commercial Traps in Spring

Preventative measures are sometimes easier than tackling the issue of a large nest filled with aggressive meat bees. A simple step to take is to make sure you store food properly or cover it while it is out, as this will make your home less attractive to meat bees. Another preventative measure you can take is to set up yellowjacket traps in spring. Doing so is a way of reducing the risk of the meat bees building a nest. Once a nest has been built, it can contain thousands of aggressive meat bees. Therefore, it makes sense to take steps to prevent the yellowjackets from building a nest in the first place. By setting up a trap in spring, you can attract the queen meat bee before the meat bees build their nest in your home or garden. The traps work by releasing pheromones that attract the bees to the trap. It is possible to buy traps from many garden centers and DIY stores.

Method 2: Making a Homemade Meat Bee Trap

It is also possible to make a homemade meat bee trap, says Hunker. To do so, you should follow these steps:

• Cut off the top of a 2-liter soda bottle.
• Take the removed top and turn it upside, then put it back inside the lower section of the bottle so that the small opening is pointing downwards.
• Attach the two sections with either tape or staples.
• Add either soap and water or some sugar water to the bottle, as these will attract the meat bees.
• Hang the trap outside, preferably in spring.

Method 3: Tackling the Nest Yourself

Another option is to kill the meat bees in their nest, simply by pouring either soapy water or boiling water directly into the nest. If you choose to do this, then you should wear thick clothing and cover up as much as possible to reduce the risk of stings. You should also choose the right time to complete this task. If the temperature is below 50 degrees, then meat bees have difficulty flying, so lower temperatures are better. Also, meat bees become inactive in the late evening, so it is safer to attempt to kill the bees in the late evening.

Method 4: Expert Nest Removal

If there is an established meat bee nest in your home or garden, it can contain thousands of meat bees. It means that attempting to remove the nest is extremely risky, says Gold Miner Pest. Due to the territorial nature of the meat bees, they will see any approach to the nest as a threat, and they will respond by attacking. The likelihood is that you will get stung at least once, if not multiple times. Unless you intend to fork out for professional equipment and safety gear, it is sometimes the better option to pay the experts for professional meat bee nest removal.

Method 5: Using Commercial Insecticides

If using a trap or pouring hot or soapy water in the nest does not work and you cannot afford to hire the experts, then another option is to use a commercial insecticide. There are plenty of options available from garden centers and DIY stores. Remember to take the precautions outlined in method 3 to reduce the risk of stings, such as wearing protective clothing and tackling the nest at night and when the temperature is cool.

How to Get Rid of Meat Bees in Your Home: The Final Verdict

Meat bees can become problematic if they nest in your house or garden, as these pests are territorial, aggressive, and have a nasty sting. Therefore, most people want to get rid of these pests from their homes. There are pest experts that can come and tackle the problem for you, or you can attempt to resolve the issue yourself. Using a trap is one option, and you can either buy a commercial trap or make one yourself. Alternatively, you can kill the meat bees in the nest using either soapy water, sugar water, or a commercial insecticide. If you intend to kill the yellowjackets in the nest, you must take precautions to reduce the risks of stings, such as tackling the issue on cool evenings and wearing protective clothing.