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A.  Nothing! Just leave them alone—they are simply swarming. Spring swarms are docile, since they have no brood or colony to defend.

If bees move into a wall void, do not plug the hole. They will look for another way out, which could lead them inside. Contact a bee keeper or pest management operator for removal options.

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Black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia fulgida)

Black-eyed Susans are among the toughest, most beautiful perennials for our central Texas gardens. Three inch wide golden, daisy-like blooms rise 2 feet above the basal rosette of foliage. Black-eyed Susans bloom up a storm in early to mid summer and sporadically on into the early fall. 'Goldsturm' (R. fulgida var. sullivantii) is a readily available variety that was Perennial Plant of the Year in 1999. Rudbeckia blooms attract butterflies and make great cut flowers. A related species Rudbeckia hirta, also called Black-eyed Susan or Gloriosa Daisy, is a biennial to weak perennial. It comes in many varieties with some sporting blooms up to 5-6 inches across.

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• It’s the time of year when insects want to join you inside. To keep them out, seal all areas where pipes penetrate the structure. You can use steel wool, mesh screening, caulk, or expanding foam.
• Make sure that weather stripping is in good condition, and check window screens for holes.
• Trim back trees that overhang the roof or shrubs that touch the home.
• Stuff weepholes with steel wool or green scrubby pads.
• Put fine mesh screening on the inside of vents that lead into the attic.

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