Of course, there are bees in Las Vegas.
There are bees everywhere except Antarctica. And who knows, maybe a mad scientist has created a race of super bees who love the cold and snow. We'll save that for another article.
Las Vegas has a ton of bees living out here. With 90% or so being Africanized. But don't let that name fool you. Hardly any Africanized bees are similar to the killer bees the media tries to sell you into believing.
We've seen more kind, sweet bees than mean, nasty ones.
The bees are pleased living out here in Las Vegas for many reasons.
We have some of the best weather in the United States. Our summers are a little hot, and our winters could be chilly. But this is nothing compared to the rest of the country. The bees like the warm weather and don't care for the cold.
In the winter Vegas might get to freezing temperatures for 2 or 3 days. That's pretty good for an entire winter. Sure our summers can hit 115°; however, the bees always find lovely cool places to make their hives.
The plant life. Las Vegas is a desert, but many wildflowers and plants bloom during the spring and summer. But that is nothing compared to how much landscaping there is in Vegas.
People love their yards and plant flowers, trees, and gardens. Apartment developments and condos have amazing landscapes growing all sorts of bee-loving plants, flowers, and shrubs. There is always something in bloom, so the bees have it very good out here.
ICV Sprinkler boxes. You would be amazed at how many removals we do from these boxes. The boxes are rarely accessed and are nicely covered.
They also have a small hole as a perfect entrance for the bees. They are underground, so they stay nice and cool in the summer. They build their combs off the top of the box down into the valves and wires. The bees could stay in those boxes for years before the homeowner figures it out.
They will fill that entire box with honeycomb. The bees easily defend their hive against would-be intruders.
Water. Yes, the desert still has some water left. Many people have swimming pools, fountains, and leaky plumbing. The bees would not be able to live in the summer without a water supply. They need this water to cool their hives down. There is always an ample supply of water for them.
We set up a fountain and other watering stations for the bees in the summer. They are getting water from sun up till sundown at our house. If you set up a water station at your house, keep it in the backyard away from your home, and you'll be fine.
You won't even notice that the bees are there. It helps them because the less they travel for water, the better.
People are pack rats. That's right; people love filling their yards with garbage they might need one day, which never happens. So in time, people's yards become giant junk piles. Bees love giant junk piles. There is always a place to make a hive and live undisturbed for years.
Let's face it no one wants to walk around in their junk pile. Instead, they would add more junk to their yard and go back inside. If you own a shed, that is perfect.
The bees love sheds. These are great places to make a beehive and live in the same spot for years and years undisturbed.
The bees out here in Las Vegas are great survivors.
They build their hives everywhere imaginable. Now they are more and more in the city limits because any habitat they might have had has likely disappeared. The reason for this is simple.
Developers could make more houses, more condos, more apartments, more stores, more buildings, and more and more junk. So when they are gobbling up all the land, the bees have to go somewhere.
When we remove the bees from people's homes, they go to an apiary where they will live a comfortable life in a new beehive box. They are outside of Vegas, so they pose no danger to the citizens of Las Vegas.
However, with how they build houses stacked on each other, you must bring the bees outside the city as the residential areas are too dense to keep bees.
So yes, Las Vegas has bees. Possibly even more bees than in most places. However, many companies exterminate bees, so a company like Vegas Bees tries to offset all their killing with bee rescue services.
It is a daily battle, but we see people caring more and more for the bees and wanting to save them rather than exterminate them.
So if you come and visit Las Vegas, I wouldn't worry too much about bees.
One of the great things about Las Vegas is you rarely ever see yellow jackets. So if you see a bee, 99% of the time, it's a honey bee.
Remember, though, bees like people who act calm around them. Bees won't think you're cool when you're throwing your hands in the air like a crazy person.
They see that behavior as "Is this crazy person asking me to sting them?" Be cool to the bees, and they will be cool back.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
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