Weather Creates Buzz In Insect World

Miller moths have been infesting homes all across southern Colorado, and have been taking over the headlines, too.

Experts said the abundance of moths can be blamed on the warm winter, but experts also tell KRDO Newschannel 13 the weather has resulted in an early bee season.

?With it being warmer, they?re coming out sooner,? said Entomologist Charles Osborne with Mug-A-Bug Pest Control. Osborne also said he anticipates more bees this season.

Osborne said the bees are in the process of finding new hives for their colonies, and they are traveling in swarms.

?You?re going to see thousands of bees flying around and then they?ll cluster around the queen,? said Osborne.

Osborne said the bees will swarm and cluster in people?s yards, on trees and will even choose the sides of cars to swarm.

“And all they?re doing there is just taking a rest or taking a break en route to their final location,? he said.

Osborne cautions against reaching for the insecticides when a swarm gathers in your yard or home.

?What?s going to happen is you?re going to antagonize them and that can cause them to sting you. Then, also, if you?re in a neighborhood, you?re going to spread a bunch of harassed bees,? said Osborne.

According to Osborne, honey bees are important for agriculture as they help to pollinate fields. He said honey bees are also generally docile unless they are harassed, whereas hornets and yellow jackets are more aggressive.

?Yellow jackets don?t like the way you smell. They don?t like the color you?re wearing. They are more apt to sting you,? said Osborne.

If bees are becoming problematic, contact a local beekeeper or pest control professional who will come and safely remove or relocate the bees.