Bees Hanging Around Your Trash Cans? Here’s Why!

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 If you’re seeing honey bees flying in and out of your trash cans, dumpsters, or recycling bins, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a hive inside. Most of the time, they’re simply looking for something sweet! During certain times of the year — particularly when natural nectar sources become scarce — honey bees become resourceful. Leftover soda, juice, sports drinks, sweet tea, fruit, and other sugary liquids can smell like an easy meal.

Once a few bees discover that food source, more may begin showing up, making it look like your trash can has suddenly been taken over.

The best solution is to remove the attraction!

Rinse soda cans, bottles, and other sugary containers before throwing them away or recycling them. Keep trash bags tied securely, clean up spills around the container, and make sure lids remain completely closed whenever possible.

If you remove the sugary food source, the bees will usually lose interest and move on in search of something better.

And remember: Seeing bees around your trash can doesn't automatically mean you have a bee colony that needs to be removed. Sometimes they're just taking advantage of the easiest food source they can find!