Protecting People • Preserving Pollinators • Serving Souther

 After thousands of bee removal projects, one location consistently ranks among the most common nesting sites: irrigation valve boxes.

We haven't been able to schedule a meeting with the "planning department" of a honey bee colony to ask why they keep choosing them—but if we could, we're fairly sure the answer would be location, location, location.

Irrigation valve boxes provide many of the features a swarm of honey bees is looking for: a protected cavity, stable temperatures, shelter from the weather, and easy access for scout bees searching for a new home.

At BeeDoctor, we encourage property owners, landscapers, builders, and public agencies to consider bee-conscious designs that help reduce suitable nesting opportunities while maintaining access for irrigation maintenance. Simple improvements in design and maintenance can help reduce the likelihood of colonies becoming established.

As part of our commitment to responsible pollinator stewardship, BeeDoctor also develops and evaluates innovative swarm capture techniques designed to intercept and safely relocate honey bee swarms before they establish colonies in irrigation infrastructure, homes, or other occupied structures. Our goal is to protect people, preserve healthy honey bee colonies whenever practical and appropriate, and reduce conflicts between pollinators and the built environment.