How Beekeepers Save Hives (and Lives)

The honeybee decline stems from colony collapse disorder (CCD), noted by the departure of worker bees and the resulting disappearance of colonies. There are plenty of reasons that CCD may be occurring, from pesticides and malnutrition to environmental problems and parasites. But no matter the cause, the severity of this issue has given local beekeepers an important role.

You may know beekeepers as the folks who harvest honey from beehives for our consumption. More than that, though, they’re bee “managers.” To process honey, the bees must be healthy and the hives in great shape. Since environments differ by region, local beekeepers have a lot of responsibility to preserve their honeybees. They do so in several ways, including:

• Medicating them to prevent or combat disease
• Assuring they have safe, pesticide-free areas where they can pollinate plants
• Assuring they have enough room in their hives for continued honey production
• Replacing the queen bee if necessary

Why You Should Call a Beekeeper

Okay, you think you have a bee problem. But before you call anyone, know that their presence in your neck of the woods doesn’t mean they’re there to stay. Often, swarms pass through an area before finding the right place to build a hive. If after a few days the bees are still making themselves at home on your property, then taking action is acceptable.

If you call Lloyd Pest Control to combat honeybees, the unfortunate truth is that bees will die. That’s why it’s best to first call a beekeeper, who will transfer them to a new hive and allow them to keep living peacefully. Remember, they’re the experts in preservation, and we’re the experts in extermination. For a referral to a beekeeper in your area, call us at 1-(800) 223-2847.

As a Last Resort, Lloyd Pest Control Is Here

Our company understands the importance of bees to our ecology, which is why we ask you to call beekeepers first. But sometimes a situation unfolds where pest control is needed, and Lloyd Pest Control is well-equipped to stop honeybees while limiting ecological damage. Our “target pest-specific” strategies aim to preserve as many of them as possible. This includes treatments that kill other pests but leave bees intact, as well avoiding residual effects to nearby hives.

If you find yourself at a last resort with honeybees, or you have problems with other invasive bugs, contact the experts at Lloyd Pest Control.

The post Local Beekeepers Are The Key to Saving The Bees first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.

Pests like spiders, termites, ants, fleas, roaches and rodents can be annoying, and they often cause damage to homes and other property. Some pests may contaminate food or transmit diseases to pets or humans. Consequently, pest control in Southern California frequently includes elimination along with prevention. However, while most people prefer not to have swarms of bees in their back yards or buzzing in their walls, bees are beneficial and perform a valuable service for us. Bees pollinate crops in and to flowers, and provide us with honey all while acting upon their natural instincts. Unless disturbed, bees usually do not sting, but they may cluster in trees and shrubs, establish colonies inside walls. While some people find this annoying, recent events have made it important to try and live and work with bees, not against them.

Currently, the world is experiencing a mysterious phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. Beginning in 2006, bee keepers began reporting unusually high losses, between 30-90 percent of hives. Many of the hives showed no signs of known causes of bee death. Today, honey bees are disappearing across the country, putting $15 billion worth of fruits, nuts and vegetables at risk., not against them. Companies like Lloyd are joining in the movement to save bees, and support the environment in the face of colony collapse disorder.

Sadly, a recent application of a pesticide to control aphids on flowering linden trees in Oregon caused the deaths of thousands of bees along with other insects. Because of that unfortunate incident, methods of pest control in southern California are changing to help protect fragile bee populations. Instead of offering bee extermination services, companies like Lloyd are joining in the movement to save bees, and support the environment in the face of colony collapse disorder.

Providing bees with new, rent-free living spaces in friendly environments protects our honey-producing pollinators, an important part of our ecosystem and economy. Since  Lloyd Pest Control strives to be an ecologically responsible company, we will be moving away from bee extermination. Whenever possible we will refer residential customers to beekeepers in their area, so that the bees can be taken alive and allowed to pollinate and continue their honey production. If you need assistance with other types of bothersome and dangerous pests, Lloyd Pest Control is still a premiere choice for bee removal in Southern California.

The post Pest control shift toward bee protection first appeared on Lloyd Pest Control.