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Steps To Preventing A Mailbox Beehive

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Bees often have a tendency to build nests in the same spot year after year. Unfortunately for many homeowners, that spot of choice is sometimes the mailbox.

Needless to say, a buzzing swarm around your mailbox poses some frustrations when it comes to your daily mail collection efforts. Your mailman might even refuse to deliver your mail until you've gotten rid of a nest or hive that's causing trouble.

If bees repeatedly elect your mailbox for a new home, use the following steps to prevent a mailbox beehive this summer:

Mow your lawn

If you let your grass get long around your mailbox, flowers like clover and dandelions that attract bees could begin growing out of control.

Keep vegetation around your mailbox cut low to avoid attracting bees to your mailbox and enticing them to move in. 

Avoid flowers

Bees collect pollen from flowers, so flowers tend to attract them. Don't grow flowers too close to your mailbox, and try to keep weeds under control in the area as well. Some weeds produce flowers that will also attract bees. 

Cover your garbage cans

In many communities, residents put their garbage cans and recycling containers out by their mailbox on collection day. Sugary residue and other food waste in your garbage can can attract both bees and hornets on the lookout for sources of sugar and protein.

Keep your cans covered and minimize the amount of time your cans are kept near your mailbox to prevent mailbox hives. 

Keep water away

Water attracts bees and makes an area a more convenient nest spot for buzzing insect invaders. Avoid allowing your sprinkler or other irrigation equipment to cause standing water to pool around your mailbox area. 

Use a mothball

A mothball in the mailbox will repel bees and encourage them to look elsewhere when scouting out new spots for a hive. While this technique might make your mail smell like mothballs, this is better than having to fend off bee stings every time you bring the mail in. 

Consider a metal mailbox

Although a metal mailbox doesn't guarantee that you won't have problems with bees this summer, it can decrease the chances.

In particular, carpenter bees are more likely to invade a wooden mailbox because they are able to drill into wood when building nests. If you have repeat problems with carpenter bees, you can also try painting or sealing your wooden mailbox to keep them away. 

For more information, or if you would like professional assistance, contact ASAP Bee Removal or a similar company.


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