How To Get Rid Of Dead Bee Smell [Simple Way]

Bees can die for several reasons. Having a small number of dead bees isn’t a serious problem. But a large number of dead bees may smell really weird. In this situation, your concern is how to get rid of dead bee smell.

A few years ago, back in 2021, one of my honey bee colonies got attacked by Tropilaelaps mite.

First, I tried to help them on my own, but I was not successful enough. As a result, within a few days, a lot of bees died inside the hive.

I have taken help from a pest control expert. He runs a treatment on my colony. That time he saved my colony from those mites.

However, the colony was weak as it lost its queen. So, I have to split the hive. I have transferred a strong portion of the colony with a brood frame and worker bees to a new beehive.

I purchased a new queen in a cage for them. Then I introduced my new queen to the colony in a new beehive.

I didn’t destroy my old abandoned beehive that got the mite attack. First, it had a very bad smell as there were a lot of dead bees. I have washed it and removed the bed smell from the hive.

Then I purchased a nuc of honey bees. When the nuc arrived, I transferred them to that hive.

The whole process increased my beekeeping investment budget, which was not in my plan. However, it is a part of learning.

Some of the bees also died inside my house. As a result, it smell bed inside the house as well. Thus, I had to go through a few simple steps to get rid of dead bee smell from my house.

Quick Guide on How to Get rid of Dead Bee Smell:

• Find the source.
• Remove it.
• Clean the area.
• Neutralize the odor.
• Seal the gaps so it does not come back.

You can follow my detailed instructions to remove the weird smell of dead bees from a beehive and from other locations as well.

 

 

 

What Does A Dead Bee’s Nest Smell Like?

A dead bee nest releases a foul and rotten smell. A few dead bees may not smell bad. But when the number increases and time goes on, it starts to smell really weird.

Insects, animals, or anything that has life releases bad smells after death. Bees are not an exception. Bees can smell like rotten insects after a few days of being dead.

 

 

 

Do Bees Give Off A Scent When Killed?

Yes, bees release a special kind of scent to alert their colony members about the danger. Dead bees can release an “alarming hormone” just before they die. So, their colony members can identify the spot of their death.

As far known that bees can release “isopentyl acetate“ as an alarming pheromone. The strong smell of isopentyl acetate can alarm other bees from a longer distance. So, the colony members become alert and gather together to defend the colony.

 

 

 

Why Do Dead Bees Smell Bad?

There can be various reasons why dead bees smell bad. We may not feel the smell of a single dead bee. If there is a large number of them who are dead and kept in the same place for a few days, they will be rotten and smell bad.

 

The following can be the reason behind the bad smell of dead bees.

• Dead bees release a chemical pheromone to alert their colony members. Due to the strong chemical, it may smell weird.
• After the death of the bees, the beehive’s organic material can start rotting too. As a result, the hive will smell weird.
• As we know, bees collect pollen and produce honey on their own. A bee can die during the process of producing honey. The processing elements inside the body of the bee may start releasing as its body is decomposing. This may also produce some sort of bad smell.

 

 

 

How To Get Rid of Dead Bee Smell from Beehive

So far, you have learned the reason behind the bad smell of dead bees. Now it comes to how to get rid of dead bee smells.

 

Here are the steps follow which I removed dead bee smell from my hives.

1. Spot The Location: First of all, you have to identify the location where the dead bees are or where the bad smell is coming from.
2. Remove All The Dead Bees: You can use a needle or any hive tool and remove all the dead bees. 
3. Ensure Proper Ventilation: You should ensure proper airflow through the hive. The air is most effective in taking away the chemicals that produce the bad smell.
4. Use Vinegar: You can directly apply vinegar on the spot where the dead bees were. Vinegar will help you to get rid of dead bee’s smell faster than anything else. If you have bees inside the beehive don’t apply vinegar on it. Because vinegar works as a deterrent for bees.
5. Use A Deodorant Removing Sponge: You can use this inside your beehive or in any location where the dead bees were present. Just place any kind of deodorant removing sponge in the source of the dead bee smell. It will automatically remove the bed smell within a few days. Some sponges may also vanish on air with time. 
6. Place The Beehive In Sunlight: After applying vinegar or deodorant removing spray you can place the beehive in sunlight. Sunlight will be effective in killing germs and removing the bad smell of chemicals.

The above steps worked fine for me to get rid of the dead bee smell from my abandoned beehive. Though that time I haven’t used deodorant removing sponge. After applying vinegar, I used an air freshener of rosemary flavour.

If you want, you can also use an air freshener to remove the dead bee smell. Make sure the air freshener has a flavor of such a compound that attracts bees. Hopefully, these steps will save the cost of a new beehive.

 

 

 

What Happens If You Don’t Remove Dead Bees?

If you don’t remove dead bees, they will produce more bad smells. Not only this, but they will also attract other insects and predators.

So, the situation may get worse. Dead bees can attract yellow jackets, flies, ants, etc. So, you can understand what situation can be created if you don’t remove dead bees.

Also, without removing dead bees, the bad smell treatment might not be effective. It is always preferred before cleaning dead out hives remove the dead bees first.

 

 

 

How to Get Rid of Dead Bee Smell from the House Wall and Attics

Dead bee smell can be a serious problem if it is inside the home. When my hive dies out due to mite attack, some bees were found dead inside my house as well.

Here are the steps that helped me to get rid of the dead bee smell from the house wall and attic.

 

 

Supplies List

Here are the elements you might need when taking action for the prevention and removal of the dead bee smell.

• Gloves, mask, and eye protection
• Heavy-duty trash bags and zip bags
• HEPA vacuum with a disposable bag
• Enzyme cleaner and mild dish soap
• Baking soda and activated charcoal or zeolite bags
• Microfiber cloths and paper towels
• Replacement HVAC filters and optional charcoal pads
• Exterior caulk and a basic caulking gun

 

 

Step 1: Find the Source

• Follow the odor to its strongest point. Check window sills, light fixtures, attic, soffits, vents, chimneys, and wall gaps.
• Look for bee parts, dark specks, or sticky marks.
• If you suspect a wall void or old comb, plan for a pro to open and remove it.

 

 

Step 2: Protect Yourself First

• Wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
• Turn off fans that can spread particles.
• Keep kids and pets away from the room.

 

 

Step 3: Remove Remains

• Use a dustpan or a HEPA vacuum with a disposable bag.
• Place all remains in a sealed bag before you throw them out.
• Wash your hands and tools after the job.

 

 

Step 4: Clean the Area

When the debris and dirt were removed, it was time to clean the area. The steps will be different based on the hardness of the surface.

 

Hard Surfaces

• Wipe with warm soapy water first.
• Use an enzyme cleaner to break down odor sources.
• Rinse and dry well.

 

Porous Surfaces

• Blot with an enzyme cleaner. Do not soak drywall or wood.
• Repeat light passes. Let the area dry between passes.

 

Carpets and Upholstery

• HEPA vacuum slowly in both directions.
• Spot treat with an enzyme cleaner. Blot, then dry with airflow.

 

 

Step 5: Ventilate the Room

• Open two windows for cross breeze.
• Place a box fan in one window facing out to push air outside.
• Air the room until the smell fades.

 

 

Step 6: Neutralize the Odor

• Set bowls of baking soda or coffee grounds in the room.
• Use activated charcoal or zeolite odor bags near the source.
• For non-stone surfaces, mist a light vinegar and water mix. Test a small spot first.

 

 

Step 7: Check Vents and Filters

• Remove vent covers and clean the edges and nearby duct sections you can reach.
• Replace HVAC filters. Consider a charcoal pre-filter for a few weeks.

 

 

Step 8: Dry and Dehumidify

• Run a dehumidifier if the room is damp.
• Dry spaces lose odor faster than humid rooms.

 

 

Step 9: Seal Entry Points

• Seal cracks around windows, soffits, and siding with exterior caulk.
• Add screens to vents and chimneys where safe.
• Fix gaps around cables and pipes.

 

 

Step 10: Dispose and Monitor

• Take sealed trash bags outside right away.
• Check the spot again in two to three days.
• If odor returns, recheck for hidden bodies or old comb.

 

 

When to Call a Professional

You can’t always get rid of dead bees on your own. Here are the situations when you have to seek for help from a professional.

• The smell comes from inside a wall, chimney, or ceiling void.
• You see honey stains or signs of an old hive.
• You have allergies or asthma and cannot air the room safely.

 

 

 

What Happens With Dead Bees?

Dead bees in a bee colony are a common phenomenon. The queen bee lays a lot more eggs than the no. of bees that die naturally daily. So, it is common to see a small number of dead bees inside or outside the beehive. Dead bees release alarming pheromones to call other colony members.

With time, if the dead bee is not removed, it will start to rot. So, it may produce a weird smell.

 

 

Can Bees Detect Dead Bees?

Yes, bees can detect dead bees. Bees were attracted by the pheromone released by dead bees. They came to the spot where the bee died and checked for the danger. If they see the danger exists, they accumulate and defend their colony.

When honey bees die inside a colony, they are not removed for a while. During the clean-up process, the worker bees remove the dead bees from the hive. This is the main reason why you may see a few bees on the ground outside the hive.

But having a large no. of dead bees on the ground around your beehive is not a normal thing. There must be a problem going through the hive. So, you must identify what’s going on. If you find any mite infection then immediately contact a pest control expert.

 

 

 

Prevent It From Coming Back

When you successfully removed dead bee smell, bees can come back and die inside. Thus, you have to take some preventive actions.

 

 

Seal And Screen

• Caulk gaps around windows, soffits, siding, and cable entries.
• Repair loose soffit boards and fascia joints.
• Add fine mesh screens to vents and chimneys where safe.

 

 

Light And Lures

• Turn off indoor lights at night near open windows and doors.
• Use light traps in garages and sheds to divert stray insects.

 

 

Keep It Dry And Clean

• Fix roof, wall, or plumbing leaks fast.
• Store sweet foods and pet treats in sealed containers.
• Empty trash often and wipe sticky spots right away.

 

 

Bee-Friendly Note

If you find a live colony, contact a local beekeeper for a humane relocation. Saving the bees and removing the hive correctly prevents future odors.

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

The Bottom Line: Do And Don’t (Quick Reference)

Hopefully, now you know how to get rid of dead bee smell from the beehive and from inside the home. Here are dos and don’ts while dealing with such a case.

• Do: Find the source, remove remains, clean with an enzyme cleaner, ventilate well, and use activated charcoal or baking soda.
• Don’t: Mask the smell without removal, use hot bleach on porous walls, leave gaps and vents unsealed.