Landscapers meet various creatures and insects all the time. These interactions can be everything from mildly interesting to deadly serious. The key is in knowing your opponent.
Bees, in general, are very beneficial to humans. They are pollinators and consume other insect pests, including flies and some caterpillars that would damage plants. I try to work around the bees without having to remove them if at all possible. Since the majority of my tasks involve hand tools, I can more readily get my work done without disturbing them too much.
My advice with bees is to be vigilant. Use caution in the area where you know there is a nest. Work on the other areas to be done first, and use a long-handled tool if possible for the area where the nest is located. I have also worked in the rain, or extremely early in the morning, to get my work done before the bees are active.
The majority of our contacts with bees here in the park involve wasps and yellow jackets. I believe that wasps are easier to deal with. They’re bigger and give more notice that you’re invading their space.
A tougher problem is the yellow jacket. There are numerous species in North America, and they can have hanging nests in trees and shrubs, or build their nests underground, beginning in any small hole available. They can have large colonies, up to thousands, and are very much at home in the disturbed settings created by humans, such as yards and theme parks. Most of the difficulties occur when the ground nest is disturbed. This is fairly common here as team members blow leaves through the park. Gloves, wrist and ankle cuffs, and a smooth, nylon bee suit can help prevent stings. This helps because the bees must be able to hold onto the victim in order to sting. Those who are allergic to beestings should take additional precautions. Use pesticides or contact a pest control expert if necessary.
