Handling Bees And Cleaning Out Gutters During The Fall

The best time to clean out gutters and eavestroughs is during the fall. This is when you have the chance to check if your gutters are in good working condition and if they have holes in them. We are not the only ones who get busy during the fall season. Bees and wasps tend to be very active during the fall season and they like to build their nests in the gutters and eavestroughs where there’s usually no much activity.

For someone allergic to bee and wasp stings, cleaning out gutters during fall can prove to be a challenging activity. You should always inspect your gutters for paper comb structures to see if bees and wasps are nesting before you undertake any maintenance routines on your gutter. There are ways to keep bees and wasps from nesting in your gutters and at the same time keep leaves and debris from accumulating. This article will highlight ways you can handle bees as you clean out you gutters without putting yourself in harm’s way.

Install Gutter Covers

The best solution to combat the accumulation of leaves and debris from your gutter is by installing gutter covers. You can install a screening device that is made of plastic or expanded metals that have small openings to allow water and keep out debris. There are latest models that are called Filters that are made of fine mesh and they can filter out items as small as coffee grounds. These filters not only keep away debris from your gutter but they also prevent bees from nesting in your eavestrough.

Brushes and Foams

You can have brushes and foams installed inside your gutters to keep away debris. You can install these by yourself at home and they usually require routine maintenance to keep them effective. One thing about brushes and foams is that they will not help keep bees and wasps away. They are only efficient for keeping leaves and debris from accumulating in your gutters. If you choose to install brushes and foams in your gutters, then ensure that you are well equipped to encounter the bees and wasps. You can wait to handle your gutters when it’s cloudy and drizzly since this is the time bees are less active.

Single Fins Gutter Guards

These are usually professionally installed and need low maintenance once installed. They have an advantage over the screens and filters because they serve as flashing. This enables them to protect the fascia board from rotting and ensure that there are no leakages. This type of covering is recommended in areas that do not experience heavy debris. There are single fin guards that come with a row of louvers and they are equally effective and usually maintenance free.

For areas that experience heavy debris, the best guard to install is usually the double row louvered system. This guard system needs maintenance but that is done a bit different. You can do the maintenance from the ground using a telescopic pole and brush. There is no need to use ladders. When it comes to bees, this guarding system cannot protect you from bee stings since they can still attack you on the telescopic pole and brush.

The Bottom Line

Bees, unlike wasps are always a threat and they are very territorial at all times. It’s better to avoid a situation where you need to work around bees and the best solution is to keep them from nesting in your gutters. Ensure that you install gutter guards as early as possible to avoid a confrontation with these creatures. They can be deadly if one is not keen enough about their presence.