Florida bees are active year-round and include over 300 species, from pollinators to aggressive invaders like Africanized bees. Learn how to identify Florida bees, understand their behavior, and protect your home with safe, effective solutions from local pest controls.
While many bees in Florida are harmless and critical to our environment, others, like carpenter bees and Africanized honey bees, pose risks to your home and safety. Knowing the difference is the first step in protecting your property and your family.
Hoffer Pest Solutions has been helping South Florida homeowners safely manage and prevent bee infestations for over 40 years using humane, environmentally responsible methods that work.
Want to know which bees are buzzing around your home, and what to do if they move in? Keep reading. We’ll break it all down for you.
Why Florida Is a Hotspot for Bee Activity
Florida’s subtropical climate is paradise for both people and pollinators. With long blooming seasons, mild winters, and lush vegetation, bees thrive here year-round. Unlike northern regions where bees go dormant during colder months, Florida’s bees continue foraging, nesting, and multiplying, especially during the spring bloom.
The state is home to over 300 species of native bees, with 29 species found nowhere else. This includes metallic sweat bees, orchid bees, and carpenter-mimic leafcutter bees, to name just a few. Whether you’re in an urban condo in Miami or a suburban home in Fort Lauderdale, chances are you’re sharing space with a buzzing pollinator or two.
But this diversity comes with a challenge: Florida's ideal conditions also accelerate hive growth, which leads to more frequent infestations in homes, yards, and even wall voids. The overlap of wild bee habitats with urban living creates an urgent need for awareness and safe coexistence.
The Most Common Types of Bees in Florida
Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Honey bees are the best-known and most frequently seen bees in Florida. These golden-brown insects with black stripes are typically half an inch long and are responsible for much of the state’s pollination, including crops like citrus, watermelon, and blueberries.
They build hives in tree hollows, chimneys, attics, and wall voids. While generally docile, female honey bees can sting, but only once. Their barbed stinger lodges into the skin and tears from their body, causing them to die afterward.
Honey bees typically don’t attack unless provoked, such as being swatted or accidentally crushed. But if you see them flying in and out of one location or hear persistent buzzing in a wall, that could mean you’re harboring a hive, and it’s time to take action.
Africanized Bees (“Killer Bees”)
Africanized honey bees have made their way into South Florida and present a danger due to their extreme aggression. Although they look nearly identical to regular honey bees, their behavior is drastically different.
They prefer to nest in irrigation boxes, sheds, and wall cavities, often in dark, enclosed spaces. If disturbed, even slightly, they may chase victims for hundreds of feet and attack in large swarms.
Some homeowners in Broward County have unknowingly encountered these bees near irrigation equipment or wall voids, only to be stung repeatedly. If you’re wondering, “How can I tell if the bees in my wall are Africanized?”, the truth is: you can’t visually. Only a trained professional can identify the difference, another reason to avoid DIY removal attempts.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are often mistaken for large bumble bees or even wasps. With their shiny, metallic black or blue bodies and loud buzzing, they look intimidating, but they rarely sting unless handled.
What makes carpenter bees destructive is their nesting habit. They bore into untreated wood, decks, fascia boards, soffits, and fences, to lay their eggs. Worse, they return year after year to the same site, expanding their tunnels and compromising the structural integrity of your home.
Homeowners typically notice perfectly round holes in wood or dark smears from bee droppings as the first signs of infestation. If you see these, it’s time to act before the damage gets worse.
Bumble Bees and Other Native Species
Not all bees pose a threat. Florida's native species like bumble bees, orchid bees, and sweat bees play a key role in local ecosystems. Some of these bees are brilliantly colored, shimmering green, deep blue, or even gold, and many live alone or in small colonies.
You’ll often find them buzzing low to the ground, especially near native flowering plants. Unlike honey bees or carpenter bees, most native bees are non-aggressive and rarely sting. They’re not interested in your home; they’re focused on pollinating Florida’s diverse native flora.
These beneficial pollinators are also at risk. Habitat loss and competition from managed honey bees are pushing some species to the brink. That’s why proper identification is necessary, not all buzzing insects are pests.
How to Tell If You Have a Bee Infestation
Spotting a bee or two in your yard isn’t cause for alarm. But when bees start entering and exiting the same spot on your wall or roof repeatedly, something more serious might be going on. Signs of an infestation include:
Constant buzzing inside walls or ceilings
Bees flying in and out of vents, soffits, or attic spaces
Honey dripping from baseboards or wall seams
Dark stains or pollen buildup near window sills or vents
If you hear buzzing but can’t see bees, don’t ignore it. That’s often the first sign of a hidden hive. Bees can enter through roof vents, siding gaps, or soffit cracks, establishing colonies before you ever see one.
Are Bees in Florida Dangerous or Just Misunderstood?
Bees play an irreplaceable role in Florida’s environment, but their presence in or around your home deserves caution, especially in spring and early summer when swarming activity increases.
The Truth About Bee Stings:
Honey bees sting only when provoked, and only once.
Carpenter bees rarely sting unless physically handled.
Africanized bees are an exception, they can sting repeatedly, in swarms, and will chase perceived threats around obstacles.
For families with allergies, this poses a serious concern. Even a single sting can be life-threatening to those with venom sensitivities. And children or pets who unknowingly disturb a hidden hive could be put at serious risk.
Some homeowners look for natural repellents, like Florida-native plants that discourage bees near play areas. But prevention only goes so far when the issue is a hive inside your home.
What to Do If You Find a Hive on Your Property
Discovering a bee hive, whether in a shed, soffit, or attic, can be alarming. But before you grab a can of spray, think twice.
Why DIY Bee Removal Is a Bad Idea
Spraying or smashing a hive might seem like a quick fix, but it can make things worse. Bees become highly aggressive when threatened, also in Florida, killing certain bees without a permit is illegal. Honey bees and native pollinators are protected by law.
Plus, improper removal can leave behind pheromones and hive remnants that attract new colonies, turning your home into a repeat target.
Several Florida homeowners have found themselves in ERs after attempting to remove a hive with spray or smoke, unaware that Africanized bees were inside.
Safe, Humane Removal Options
We always prioritize non-lethal methods when possible. Our technicians are trained to identify the type of bee and determine the safest, most effective removal strategy.
We use advanced techniques like pheromone masking to prevent reinfestation, and we ensure deep cleaning of contaminated areas like attic insulation or drywall.
If you’ve got a hive, call us before it grows. We’ll safely remove it and make sure it doesn’t come back.
How to Prevent Bees from Coming Back
Once a hive is gone, your home can still attract future colonies unless the right steps are taken. In Florida’s year-round bee activity, proactive prevention is the only way to stay protected.
Prevention Strategies for Florida Homes
Bees don't need much space to build a nest. A small gap in siding or a crack in your soffit can become a front door for an entire colony. That’s why our technicians always conduct a thorough inspection of potential entry points, including:
Roof vents
Soffits and fascia
Chimney gaps
Hollow tree trunks
Wall voids in older homes
We also recommend:
Sealing cracks in siding, eaves, and window trim
Removing unused equipment or hollow containers from the yard
Avoiding citrus-scented cleaners outdoors, which may attract foraging bees
Many Florida homeowners don’t realize that scented patio products, including candles and cleaners, can unintentionally draw bees closer to high-traffic areas.
Landscaping Tips to Discourage Nesting
The plants in your yard can work for, or against, you. While pollinator gardens are required for native bee survival, planting them too close to your home invites nesting activity right where you don’t want it.
To create a bee-safe landscape:
Keep flowering shrubs at least 10 feet from the house
Use bee-repellent plants near doors and patios, such as citronella, eucalyptus, or wormwood
Avoid dense hedges where bees can nest undisturbed
If your goal is to support pollinators without risking infestations, consider installing wild bee hotels at the edge of your yard, well away from your home’s structure.
Why Work With Hoffer Pest Solutions for Bee Problems?
We’ve been serving South Florida for over 40 years. We know the insects. We know the weather. We know your neighborhood. And most importantly, we know how to protect your family and your home with care and precision.
Local Expertise, Backed by 40+ Years in South Florida
Our team understands Florida’s bee activity down to the microclimate. We know when swarms peak, which species dominate in your area, and where infestations are most likely to occur.
We offer:
Humane, professional hive removal
Same-day response during active swarm seasons
Tailored prevention plans for long-term protection
We’ve safely removed hives from attics, chimneys, irrigation boxes, wall voids, palm trees, and more.
What Sets Hoffer Pest Solutions Apart
We’re not a national chain, we’re your neighbors. As a family-owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on relationships, reliability, and results.
What you can expect:
Environmentally responsible practices
Live bee relocation whenever possible
Highly trained techs who identify, remove, and prevent infestations with zero guesswork
We don’t just show up. We solve the problem and keep it from coming back.
Trusted by the Community
From Fort Lauderdale to Coral Springs, families across South Florida trust us to keep their homes safe from stinging insects.
Over 500+ five-star reviews
Thousands of homes protected
Community partnerships with causes that matter
We’ve helped countless clients regain peace of mind, like the family who heard buzzing in their nursery walls, only to discover a growing hive inches from their infant’s crib. We were there within hours, removed the hive, and made sure it never returned.
Bees Deserve Respect, But So Does Your Safety
Florida’s bees play a vital role in pollination and biodiversity, but when they nest inside your home, safety becomes the priority. Hidden hives can cause property damage, trigger allergic reactions, and create ongoing risks for your family.
We combine accurate identification, humane removal, and long-term prevention to protect both people and pollinators. As a local, family-owned company, we’re committed to doing right by our community, because we live here too.
If you suspect bee activity in or around your home, don’t wait. Let the professionals handle it, safely, responsibly, and with care. Call Hoffer Pest Solutions for a safe inspection, advice, and humane removal options tailored to your property.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do carpenter bees come back to the same wood every year?
Yes. Once carpenter bees bore into a structure, they often return each spring to expand their tunnels. Left unchecked, this can lead to serious structural damage to railings, overhangs, and wooden siding.
Will orange-scented bug sprays attract bees?
Surprisingly, yes. Many sprays and cleaners contain citrus oils, which mimic natural nectar scents. While not intentional, this can draw bees toward the application area, especially during peak foraging times.
Why do bees keep coming back to the same corner of my house?
Bees are guided by scent. Even after hive removal, residual pheromones can linger in the structure, inviting new colonies. That’s why Hoffer Pest Solutions always incorporates pheromone masking and structural sealing into our follow-up process.
How long can a wild hive survive in a wall?
Wild bee colonies can survive for years inside a wall if left undisturbed. Over time, they can cause structural decay, honey seepage, and insulation contamination, not to mention repeated swarms and stings.