• InsideOut
Page 8 April 8, 2021 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor
The
BUZZ
about bees
By Amber McIver-Traywick The Surveyor
Warm weather and extra hours of sunlight spark flowering trees and plants to bloom and one of the sure signs spring is here are bees. Not all “bugs” are the same this time of year. While you probably won’t want ants invading your backyard grill fest, the presence of bees nearby can be a good thing — even if those curious yellow-and-black critters get a little close for comfort from time to time. That’s because almost 90% of wild plants and 75% of the leading global crops depend on animal pollination, indicates the World Wildlife Federation. Bees are remarkable creatures in small packages. The following are some bee facts to buzz about, courtesy of the WWF, Save the Bees®, NASA and the Texas A&M University Honey Bee Information Site. • There are roughly 20,000 species of bees around the world. Most of them are solitary bees. Colorado alone is home to 946 different species. • 31 types of bee fossils were identified in the Florissant Formation in Colorado. • Bumblebees thermos-regulate. This means they can warm their bodies up by “shivering” which enables their flight muscles to be ready for action earlier in the mornings and later in the day than other insects. • Bees have five eyes. Two of the eyes are large compound eyes with hexagonal facets. The other three are small, simple eyes. • Leafcutter bees are appropriately named as they cut leaves to make their nests. Have you ever noticed perfectly round dime-sized holes in the leaves of your roses? ou have probably been visited by one of these bees. • Honeybees have a move called the “waggle dance.” It is a clever way of communicating to tell them where to go to find the best sources of food. • Bees can carry up to 122 times their body weight in pollen and nectar. • Bumblebees leave footprint scents behind. They are able to distinguish between their own scents, the scent of a relative and the scent of a stranger as they look for food. They also can avoid • Should a queen bee perish, the hive workers will select a new young larva and feed it a special food called “royal jelly.” The larva will develop into a fertile queen. • Bumblebees live in the ground, typically in abandoned rodent bur-
Signs of pest infestation at home Special to the Surveyor Pests come in many shapes and sizes, from the smallest of insects that crawl through crevices or under moldings to larger mammals that find their way into attics and basements. Taking care of a home or buying a new one can be stressful enough without having to contend with a potential pest infestation. Much like any other home issue, like a leak or faulty electrical system, pests can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Furthermore, the droppings
rows. Bumblebees are eusocial meaning that they live in a social environment of several dozen bees. • Bees flap their wings 190 to 200 times per second. They can fly up to 15 miles per hour. • Mason bees are tube nesters that construct and seal their nests with “mud” instead of leaf pieces. The most common is the orchard mason bee, which is a terrific pollinator of spring fruit trees. It is shortlived and spends its adult life A swarm of honeybees is a group of bees with a queen bee in migration out looking within 100 yards of its home to establish a new colony. To help the bees and food source. out so that they can find a good permanent • Female bees can sting; home you can call the Honey Bee Swarm males do not. Losing the sing- Hotline courtesy of the Northern Colorado er will cause the bee to die. Beekeepers at 970-658-4949. The orgaThe honeybee only can sting nization also has contact information for once because its stinger is beekeepers willing to remove bee hives barbed. Bumblebees, known to from structures. Visit nocobees.org for be docile and rarely sting and more information. hornets (who are jerks) can sting multiple times because they have smooth stingers. • It can require nectar from two million flowers to make one pound of honey. • Many bees are not aggressive. Simply moving away from them can prevent a person from being stung. Generally, bumblebees and honey bees will only sting by accident or if a nest is being disrupted. • Wasps are different from bees in that they are mostly known to be predators (they are jerks). They eat other insects and often food that people eat, which is why wasps are more likely to be found around your cookout. Bees tend to be covered in hair, while wasps (which include yellow jackets) are smooth. Bees are remarkable creatures and should be celebrated as the weather warms up.
left from certain creatures can compromise human health. For example, National Exterminating says rodents can spread hantavirus, while droppings from other pests can exacerbate asthma and allergies. The best way to stay ahead of potential pest problems is to recognize signs that pests are present. Droppings — A classic sign of infestation, pet waste includes fecal droppings or urine trails. Certain waste is easier to spot than others. For example, bed bug droppings are much smaller than mice or rat droppings. Homeowners can carry out thorough examinations of furniture, bedding, walls, floors, and areas of the home that get little foot traffic to look for pests. Dead bodies — Another sign that points to pests is the presence of dead insect or animal bodies. A large number is indicative of a pest problem. Active pests — The experts at Batzner Pest Control say that live animals or insects in and around the home are potential signs of infestation. Most are very good at hiding, so finding live specimens may require some investigating in the kitchen, bath-
rooms and outdoors near the perimeter of the home. Evidence of nesting — Most animals want somewhere cozy and comfortable to bed down and will use materials available to them when making nests. Look for shredded paper, feathers, gathered twigs or grasses, home insulation piles, or any other red flags that could be nests. Smells, sights and sounds — Animals and insects can give off smells and make sounds. Roaches are said to have an “oily” odor, while mice may produce “musty” smells. Homeowners may hear gnawing, squeaking, scurrying, or scratching. In addition, there may be holes, gnaw marks, signs of burrows, and other signs of pests. Wood shavings or sawdust could indicate the presence of termites, which cause serious structural damage. Stored pesticides — People who are viewing a potential new home and find cans and canisters of pesticides or pest traps should recognize that there is likely a problem with animals or insects there. Pests can be a concern for homeowners, who can overcome the issue after learning to identify signs of their presence.
