ALL Florida Bee Removal Blog http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/ Honey bees, Beekeeping,Yellow Jackets and other stinging insects in Florida en-us Nucleus CMS v3.64 � Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus//nucleus/nucleus2.gif ALL Florida Bee Removal Blog http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/ Are honey bees Major League Baseball Fans? http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=123


]]> General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=123 Fri, 18 May 2012 13:45:56 -0400 Orlando Paper Wasps http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=121
Orlando Polistes Paper Wasp nest

You've seen these wasps, I'm sure, as they are common on Eaves and Soffits of homes, apartments and just about any building where shelter from our frequent rains can be found.

These are called Paper or Umbrella wasps, and are in the Genus Polistes. They are common worldwide, and feast on insects such as caterpillars, aphids and other small delectable morsels!

About this time of year, we start getting calls to perform treatments and removals, as the nests are getting large enough to become a sting threat. While I admire these wonderful 'predators from the sky', It's of more importance to provide a safe environment for the public and residents, so treatment is warranted in many cases. However, if you have paper wasps in locations that aren't frequented by people, it's quite OK to leave them be!

Contact the Stinging Insect Experts at 321-206-5100 or 1-800-343-5317 or submit a bee removal FREE inspection here!

Richard Martyniak, M.Sc., Entomologist (Univ of Fla'04); Registered Beekeeper (FL0010609M)

The Buzzkillers, LLC, Licensed (FL DACS JB144428), Insured & Certified(FL DACS JF136628) for your protection

ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com]]> General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=121 Mon, 14 May 2012 20:02:17 -0400 Feb 9, 2012: Don't miss this talk! Chris Sloan: 21ST CENTURY SCIENCE MEDIA LANDSCAPES http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=120 Thursday Feb 9, 6:30 PM
Genetics Auditorium, Rm 101
1376 Mowry Road, Gainesville Florida
Univ of Florida Campus

21ST CENTURY SCIENCE MEDIA LANDSCAPES

Scientists and artists have been partners in communicating new understandings about our world to the public for over five centuries. Now, in the context of the challenges of understanding the new complexities of science, that partnership is more important than ever, especially if we are to increase the science literacy of our population. Changing technology, new media consumption behaviors and a weak economy are just a few of the factors frustrating efforts to communicate science effectively to the public. If understood, however, some of these same factors present great new opportunities for science visualizers.




Biography: Christopher Sloan is an award-winning author and art director who specializes in bringing non-visual scientific research to life for diverse audiences. Mr. Sloan worked with National Geographic Magazine from 1992 to 2010 as art director, senior editor, and director of mission projects. During this time he proposed many of the archaeology, paleoanthropology and paleontology stories the magazine produced, and played a key role in their successful execution in the magazine as well as in corollary television shows. Among these include many popular cover stories, such as Dawn of Humans, Neanderthals, Evolution of Mammals, Sea Monsters, Rise and Fall of the Maya, Bizarre Dinosaurs, and Secrets of Stonehenge. Mr. Sloan has worked directly with scholars and governments all over the world. As the director of mission projects he played a key role in allocating National Geographic funds to support research world-wide, at times participating directly in fieldwork. As an expert in science communication, Mr. Sloan enjoys lecturing on visualizing science. He has made a number of television and radio appearances in connection with National Geographic articles. Currently, he serves as the president of ScienceVisualization, a company specializing in effective science communication. ]]> General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=120 Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:46:58 -0400 FREE Hornet Removal ! (yes, it's baaack!) http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=119

FREE Hornet Nest Removal


Yes, you read the title correctly, we here at ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com are offering Free Hornet Nest Removals, no strings attached. We are participating in a research trial,  and are looking for suitable candidates for this trial.  However, there are conditions to be met, in order for these nests to be included in the free hornet removals. And some exclusions exist as well. Should your nest not qualify, we certainly can perform removals at a reasonable charge.

Here are the conditions:

  1. The nest must be located in one of the following counties: Marion, Levy, Dixie, Gilchrist, Alachua, Putnam, Clay, Bradford, Union, Lafayette, Suwannee, and the southern portions of Columbia and Baker Counties. Please see map below highlighting areas covered.

  2. The nest must be active. (containing live adult hornets, at the minimum. Live immatures are ok, too.)

  3. The nest must be Bald-Faced Hornets, scientific name is Dolichovespula maculata .  Please see representative photos below. Other species of stinging insects are not included in this program, including Yellow Jackets ( Vespula spp.), Paper Wasps ( Polistes spp. ), Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera ) or any other stinging insects. We can perform removals for a reasonable fee on these other insects.

  4. The nest must be accessible and removable by normal means, either at an accessible height, or with a 12 foot stand-alone ladder. (usually no taller than 20 feet, and able to remove the nest intact. Shredded nests or pieces of nest are useless for this program)

  5. We must be allowed to use insecticide. EPA labeled insecticide will be used. If it's illegal to use insecticide at the site,  or you or the property owner/management will not allow insecticide use, the free removal cannot be included in this program. 

  6. We reserve the right to exclude any nests, at our discretion, for the free hornet removal program. 



What we are looking for:


These are some photos of hornets and their nests. They are made of a paper-like substance that the hornets make from chewed bark & other cellulose containing materials, plus saliva. Notice the banded appearance.





Hornet Nest





Hornet Nest





Hornet Nest





Hornet (Dolichovespula)




What we are NOT looking for:





Honey Bee nests including External nests




Honey Bee




Yellow Jacket nests




Yellow Jacket Nests




Yellow Jackets




Paper Wasp Nests




Paper Wasp Nest




Paper Wasp




Mud Dauber Nest




Mud Dauber

 Again, for the free removals, we only want Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) nests that are active. If you have any of these other nest, as shown above, we will be happy to remove them for you at a reasonable fee. Call us at 352-870-0346 or visit our website ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com



WHERE we will perform free Hornet removals:





Free Hornet Removal area


 Counties and Cities we will remove Hornets for free:


  • Marion: Ocala, Silver Springs, Reddick

  • Levy: Bronson, Cedar Key

  • Dixie: Cross City

  • Gilchrist: Trenton

  • Alachua: Gainesville, High Springs, Alachua, Waldo

  • Putnam: Palatka

  • Clay: Green Cove Springs, Orange Park

  • Bradford: Starke

  • Union: Lake Butler

  • Baker: Macclenny

  • Columbia: Lake City

  • Suwannee: Live Oak

  • Lafayette: Mayo



 We will remove hornets in other cities/towns/unincorporated areas located in the above counties.




Give us a call at 352-870-0346 , 1-800-343-5317 Or simply send us an email here, and ask us about FREE HORNET REMOVAL. We'll be happy to discuss your nest and let you know if it qualifies for this research program. Feel free to visit our website: ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com 





Thanks,




Richard Martyniak, M.Sc., Entomologist ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com

]]> General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=119 Fri, 4 Nov 2011 18:11:05 -0400 91st Annual Florida State Beekeepers Association Convention October 27-29, Orlando http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=117
The kick-off event will be a BBQ on Thursday October 27, beginning at 6:00 p.m., catered by Metro Catering. The BBQ will be at the Extension Offices location. The convention begins Friday the 28th at 8:30 a.m. with exciting speakers, presentations and a cooking demonstration by the 2011 Florida Honey Queen, Jayla Gillaspie.

A first ever presentation of "Queen of the Sun" will be shown in the auditorium (go to http://www.queenofthesun.com/about/story for more info about this great movie). A box/bag lunch will be provided and vegetarian sandwiches provided only if you check the appropriate box on the registration form. The cost of the convention is $25.00 per person. This includes the "Queen of the Sun" movie showing as well as the "A Day in the Bee Yard" event on Saturday.

As the "Queen of the Sun" movie is a special one-time only showing, members of the public are cordially invited to come view it. The cost for non-registered guests is $5.00 for the movie only

The Annual Banquet and auction will be held Friday night at the Holiday Inn International Airport, 5750 T.G. Lee Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32822. A "Taste of Italy" menu is planned, with vegetarian items included. Cost per person for the banquet is $40.00. The auction will include the entries from the Welsh Honey Show and Judging which will take place earlier in the day Friday. A special room rate of $81.00 will be provided. Let the reservations person know you are with FSBA when making your reservation for the special rate. call 407-851-6400 for reservations.

Read more here at Orange Blossom Beekeepers site 

We are lifetime members at Orange Blossom Beekeepers and will be performing volunteer duties to help make this a GREAT Annual Convention!

Richard Martyniak]]> General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=117 Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:07:09 -0400 Shoulda called the Stinging Insect Experts FIRST! http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=115
After spending lots of dough, she finally searched for a true bee control expert, found us and her problem is solved.... permanently!!

Here's a pic of the site:



The red arrows are where the bees were entering, and the white outline represents the size of the nest, located within the block wall voids.. a truly mature bee nest!  We performed our DTS protocol, and saved her thousands of dollars.

Another satisfied client!

Contact us at 1-800-343-5317 or online here

Richard Martyniak, M.Sc., Entomologist
The Buzzkillers, LLC
ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com]]> General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=115 Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:37:03 -0400 But I Know these bees aren't Africanized Killer Bees ! http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=114




Maitland Honey Bee colony located in porch floor

We inspect many feral honey bee colonies per day, some gentle, some mean as fire. And then there are those that seem to have some crazies. Take this Maitland bee removal we inspected yesterday. The nest is located above the first story roof line, normally a distance where the bees would hardly notice and certainly not care about a couple humans standing down in the yard.





Right EyeLid swelling 30 minutes after Bee Sting


While talking with the client, a guard bee came down to inspect us, and the client waved her hand (note, NEVER wave your hands at bees, they think it's a provocative act, akin to throwing the handkerchief on the ground), and BAP, the rogue guard bee stung our trainee technician in his Eyelid.

Still the client insisted that there was no way that these were Africanized Killer Bees! (To be fair, we can't ID bees as killer bees or European gentle honey bees until we perform a lengthy lab test involving several dozen sample bees, so we can't say what subspecies they are or aren't either).




Right Eyelid swelling 30 minutes after bee sting



No Big deal, right? we pulled out the stinger promptly, administered anthi-histimanes and ice per protocol. The next day, this is what our tech awoke to:




Right facial swelling prox 18 hours post bee sting


Sexy, eh? While it may look scary, the swelling is actually normal, as fluids tend to accumulate during sleeping and can't properly drain. However, this is not something we encourage our staff to endure. It's our protocol to assume every feral honey bee colony has the capacity to inflict multiple stings within seconds, and that's why are to wear hats on every call...Right Jeff? :-)

 And while we may laugh this off, one sting can prove fatal to a sting-sensitive individual. We know of multiple incidents where folks have died from a single, or a few stings from bees or wasps. Couple that with the significant spike in mean Africanized Killer Bee feral colonies we see in homes, manufactured homes, trees and other locations, it's high time to take these bees serious, and to give them the respect due.

Richard Martyniak, M.Sc., Entomologist and Fla. Registered Beekeeper
The Buzzkillers, LLC
ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com]]> General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=114 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:35:30 -0400 ((Expired)))Need FREE Bee Removal? We are looking for HUGE Killer Bees & Yellow Jacket nests ! http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=110
Need FREE Bee Removal?



****** 13 JULY 2011: This offer has EXPIRED, We have filled our available free removal slots. Please stay tuned for further offers******

5 July 2011: Yep, the stinging insect scientists here at ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com are conducting another research promotional project and are in need of a select few Killer Bee nests & Yellow Jacket nests!

The protocol requires the following conditions:


  1. Nest size must be above average, at least 6 months old and weighing in at least 50 pounds

  2. The bees have to exhibit an above average defensive posture. We prefer colonies that have already stung humans or pets and continue to sting or harass victims or potential victims.

  3. Geographical area is limited to Greater Tampa/St. Pete to Orlando to Northern Brevard County. We also will consider Orlando North to Belleview, especially around the Villages as we have been encountering extremely defensive bees this year. 

  4. We will consider Exceptional colonies in other areas of the state. Contact us at 1-800-343-5317 or info@allfloridabeeremoval.com  to discuss your special nest!



We will remove the colony at no charge to the client. Client must allow our personnel access to the nest site, treatment and removals, pesticide application  & documentation to occur ( photography, film, audio recordings as necessary).


Here are some photos of some infestations that might qualify for the protocol:






Orlando, FL: Perennial Honey Bee colony in Building Wall.




Oxford Fl. (The Villages): Africanized Honey Bees (Killer Bees) cleaning around the nest opening, which is located at the electrical penetration. Killer Bees often build nests in concrete block wall voids. These colonies can become extremely defensive and are a serious sting risk to pets and humans.














































****** 13 JULY 2011: This offer has EXPIRED, We have filled our available free removal slots. Please stay tuned for further offers******





    ]]>     General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=110 Thu, 7 Jul 2011 09:16:54 -0400     Honey Bees in House Walls, Eaves and Columns http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=109


    Clermont Honey Bee swarm on Tree


    A swarm occurs when a bee colony outgrows it's nesting area. This happens usually, when nectar and pollen sources from flowers become abundant, (springtime flowering), and the queen starts laying up to 2,000 eggs a day. At some point, about half the colony will leave, looking for a new location to build a new nest, while leaving the old nest to rebuild it's numbers.



    Orlando Honey Bee swarm on building wall


    This new swarm will typically land for a few hours, somewhere near the mother colony. We usually advise clients to leave the swarm alone, keep pets and people away, and the swarm will move on, without harming a thing.



    Longwood Bee Swarm on Block Wall


    But, when these swarms alight on house walls, eaves or other structural elements, it's best to give us a call for proper removal, as they often will move into wall voids, eave voids and just about anywhere else, often putting away hundreds of pounds of honey, pollen and wax withing the wall. Please do not try to self treat these swarms, as bad things can happen!



    Apopka Bee Colony in wall


    For proper honey bee swarm removal, Call us at 1-800-343-5317

    Richard Martyniak, M.Sc., Entomologist
    ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com
    ]]>     General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=109 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:31:38 -0400     Looking for that last minute holiday gift? Give Honey Bees! http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=107
    Well, consider giving the gift of honey bees... no, I'm not suggesting you buy a colony of honey bees, hive box, smoker. While that would be a great gift for a special bee removal entomologist (who will remain unnamed..), it could be unwieldy. After all, just HOW would you wrap a honey bee hive box and put it under a Christmas Tree???? hmmm...that has bad news written ALL over that!!!

    Here's the idea: You purchase a share of Honey Bees for needy small scale farmers in places such as Africa or Central and South America, and donate them in the name of your gift recipient. Honey Bee cultivation requires very little space, provide a rich sugar source, and can provide needed income for struggling families. And you don't even need to know a thing about honey bees, as there are reputable aid organizations that handle everything. Oxfam and Heifer.org are 2 organizations that we here at http://ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com support.

    For as little as $18, you can help a family become self sufficient. Go here to check them out:

    Heifer.org:

    Oxfam Gifts:

    Happy Holidays

    Richard Martyniak]]>     General http://allfloridabeeremoval.com/nucleus/index.php?itemid=107 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:25:17 -0400