Serving Melbourne, FL Since 1991: Inspection-First Stinging Insect Control
A nest in your eave or soffit can go from a handful of insects to hundreds in a matter of weeks. Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control - Melbourne has served Florida property owners since 1991, and our Melbourne branch handles everything from paper wasp nests on a back porch to established honey bee colonies inside a wall.
We don’t treat every stinging insect the same way, because Florida law doesn’t either. The species on your property determines the right course of action, and that starts with a proper inspection.
Ready to get the nest gone? Call us at (321) 204-8857 for a free estimate. Same-day service is available when you need it fast.
Why Melbourne Property Owners Trust Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control - Melbourne
Our technicians are insured and certified, and we back every job with a satisfaction guarantee: if you’re not completely happy with the results, we’ll make it right. We serve Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Indian River County, so whether you’re on the barrier island or further inland, our team can reach you.
Our Inspection-First Approach to Bee & Wasp Control
We follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, which means we evaluate the cause and full scope of a stinging insect problem before recommending any treatment. That identification step matters more here than in most pest situations. Honey bee colonies are regulated under Florida law differently than wasps or carpenter bees, and knowing what species is present and where the nest is located shapes every decision that follows.
Get a Free Estimate for Bee or Wasp Removal in Melbourne
If you’ve spotted a nest, noticed bees entering a wall cavity, or found wasps defending a corner of your yard, don’t wait for the colony to grow. Our team can inspect the property, identify the species, and walk you through your options.
Call Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control - Melbourne at (321) 204-8857 to schedule your inspection today.
Common Stinging Insects in the Melbourne Area
Florida’s warm climate supports a wide range of stinging insects, and telling them apart helps you understand the risk and the right response. The most basic distinction: bees tend to be rounder and fuzzier, while wasps have slimmer, smoother bodies with a narrow waist.
Here are the species most commonly encountered around Melbourne properties:
Paper wasps: Black or brown with yellow markings, they build the open, honeycomb-shaped nests you often find under eaves, constructed from a paper-like material made by chewing wood fibers.
Yellowjackets: Recognized by bold black-and-yellow patterning, they defend their nests aggressively and can pursue a perceived threat well away from the nest.
Mud daubers: Typically black, sometimes with pale markings, and named for the mud tubes they construct. They’re generally less defensive than other wasps.
Carpenter bees: These burrow into unpainted or weathered wood to lay eggs. The burrowing can weaken structural wood over time.
Honey bees: A honey bee colony builds wax comb inside a cavity such as a tree hollow, wall void, or underground space. A swarm is different: it’s a temporary cluster of bees without an established nest, often resting while scouts search for a permanent location.
Why Professional Stinging Insect Control Matters
For individuals with a sting allergy, even a single sting can trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction. That risk is worth taking seriously before you get anywhere near a nest.
Florida also has a documented population of Africanized honey bees, which are more accurately described as highly defensive than aggressive. When a nest is disturbed, they react faster and in greater numbers than European honey bees. The practical problem: they can’t be reliably identified by sight and require lab testing to tell them apart from European honey bees. That uncertainty is reason enough to avoid disturbing any nest without proper protective gear or training, regardless of what species you think you’re dealing with.
Florida Bee Law: What Property Owners Need to Know
Florida treats honey bee removal as a regulated matter. Eradicating a nuisance honey bee colony is classified as pest control under Florida law and must be performed by a pest control operator licensed under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. A general handyman or unlicensed contractor can’t legally do this work.
Live removal is a separate path. Florida Administrative Code Rule 5E-14.151 allows beekeepers registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to perform live colony removal without a pest control license. Whether to pursue live removal or eradication is the property owner’s decision, but either way, the work must be done by someone with the appropriate authorization. Attempting to remove a honey bee colony yourself can carry both legal and physical risk.
Preventing Bees & Wasps From Nesting on Your Property
Once a nest is removed, a few straightforward steps can reduce the chance of another one forming in the same spot or nearby.
Seal entry points: Cracks, gaps, and openings in eaves, soffits, and exterior walls are common starting points for nesting. Sealing them removes the opportunity.
Clean up after removal: An old nest leaves behind scent cues that draw new insects to the same location. Removing the nest and cleaning the area eliminates that signal.
Reduce attractants: Standing water and sugary food or drink left outdoors make a property more attractive to wasps. Eliminating those sources helps discourage activity.
