We get loads of calls every year from people looking for wasp pest control who have seen black and yellow insects looking like wasps nesting in their loft or garden shed – but at certain times of year it’s common for bees to be mistaken for wasps or hornets.
Wasps and bees can look similar as they come from the same family. This insect family also includes hornets (which are a type of wasp) as well as ants and contains over 130,000 identified species.
The Difference Between Wasps and Bees
Although wasps and bees can look alike, as commonly both have black and yellow stripes on their bodies, their lifestyles are very different. Wasps’ nests are made from chewed wood so are papery and often round in appearance. Honeybees make nests from wax (beeswax) which are more oval in shape. Both bees and wasps aid pollination, although bees are more dedicated pollinators as they travel between flowers searching for nectar.
Both wasps and bees can be solitary depending on the species. Honeybees are known for living in hives, or colonies, which can grow to many thousands in number. Whilst both wasps and bees will feed on nectar, many species of wasp are predators and feed on other insects.
How Identify Wasps From Bees
Wasps normally have longer smoother bodies compared to the rounder bodied bee. Bees can also be hairier in appearance, and their colouring less sharp than the obvious yellow and black stripes of a wasp.
When wasps are flying their legs hang down, whereas bees tend to tuck their legs in. You’ll sometimes see pollen baskets on a bee’s legs but never on a wasp’s.
Both bees and wasps can sting but wasps won’t lose their sting so can sting multiple times whereas a bee will just sting once.
Queen wasps can be up to 2.5cm in length and worker wasps as small as 1.2cm so it can be hard to distinguish from bees using length alone as bees average 1.5cm.
When Do You Need Wasp Pest Control?
Wasps and bees both have their role to play in nature and wasps are only considered a pest if their nesting site has the potential to negatively affect humans. If you discover a wasp’s nest away from human habitation or activity, then it’s not a situation for wasp pest control and can be left well alone.
If you see wasps flying to and from the same place, such as an air brick or the eaves of your house, then this is a sign of a wasps nest and there’s potential for them to become a problem. Wasps also commonly nest in gardens, building their nests anywhere they can find shelter such as in garden sheds, compost bins and even under ground.
If you find a wasps nest in your garden or home it’s advisable to contact a local qualified pest control company with a wasp pest control or wasp nest removal service. They will safely treat or remove the wasps nest for you. A reputable pest control company will guarantee their wasp nest pest control services, so any activity in the same wasp’s nest within 5-7 days and they should return and re-treat the wasps nest free of charge.
