How to Kill Honeybees in a House Wall

Honeybees naturally nest in cavities, such as in hollow trees, old barrels and behind walls. While honeybees don't damage the house structure, the honey may stain the walls in high temperatures. Honeybee stings can be fatal to people who are allergic to them. You can kill honeybees using insecticides. If you see no immediate threat from having the bees in your wall, wait until late winter or early spring to remove the bees because there will be fewer bees and less honey in the hive.

Drill (optional)
Can of aerosol insecticide
Caulk

Instructions

- 1
  Tap the wall where the honeybees are. Listen for buzzing sounds to find the exact location of the hive. You will need to apply the insecticide as close to the colony as possible, so finding its location improves your chances of success.
- 2
  Check the area around the hive for holes 5/16 of an inch or larger. Honeybees use these holes to enter and leave the nest. If you can't find an entrance hole, drill a 1/4-inch hole into the wall. You will need it to introduce the insecticide into the cavity.
- 3
  Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a hat to protect yourself because the honeybees may fly out of the nest toward you.
- 4
  Spray an aerosol insecticide, specifically labeled to kill bees, wasps and hornets, directly into the entrance hole. Do this during the evening, when adult bees are usually inside. You can find the spray at lawn and garden centers.
- 5
  Spray the hive every two to three days for two to three weeks to kill all the honeybees in the colony. Immature bees develop in the wax comb, protected from your first insecticide spray. The subsequent sprays ensure you kill the young bees.
- 6
  Open the wall if the honeybees have been inside for more than two or three weeks.
- 7
  Remove all the wax, honey and nest debris because they could attract other honeybees, insect pests and rodents. Leftover honey also can stain and damage the walls.
- 8
  Caulk all the holes leading to the cavity that was infested by honeybees. The odor can attract new honeybees wanting to set up their nest inside.

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