Wasp:
- Bold yellow and black striped body.
- Smooth, hairless appearance.
- Stinging insects that are highly aggressive.
- Nests are often found in lofts, with a constant flow of wasps entering and leaving.
- Attracted to light and may buzz around lights in the loft.
- Appears from June to November, with workers growing larger as the season progresses.
Bees:
- Honey bees: Golden-yellow and tan-brown stripes, with a fuzzy, hairy body.
- Bumblebees: Predominantly black and fluffy with yellow stripes and varying tail colours.
- Generally docile and less aggressive, and only sting when threatened.
- Honey bees may swarm, often nesting in cavities, chimneys, or walls.
- Bumblebees nest in various places, including loft insulation, the ground, or bird boxes.
- Worker bees have pollen sacs on their rear legs for collecting pollen.
As summer approaches, Pest-Tech often receives numerous calls for wasp nest removal, when in reality, the insect in question is often a bee. Bees are critically endangered, and as environmental stewards, we all have a responsibility to remove them humanely. Unfortunately, some pest control companies still opt to exterminate bees. Before hiring a company to remove a bee nest, we strongly encourage you to read this article. We will cover the following topics:
- Identification
- Recognising a bumblebee
- Differentiating bees and wasps
- Identifying a hornet
Identifying bees
Incredibly, the UK is home to over 200 species of bees. For the purposes of this article, we will concentrate on the two most common types: the honey bee and the bumblebee.
What a honey bee looks like
Honey bees are characterised by their golden-yellow and tan-brown stripes. While the specific body colour can vary depending on the species, generally, they have black bodies with distinct bands ranging from dark to light. It’s important not to confuse them with feral honey bees, which tend to have duller, dirty brown and black stripes, lacking the golden hue.
The key difference between them is that honey bees are covered in fine hairs across their back and body, giving them a fuzzy appearance. Additionally, worker honey bees have pollen sacs on their rear legs, which they use to collect pollen as they move from plant to plant.
Honey bee nests and swarms
Another way to determine if the stinging insects causing you trouble are honey bees is to observe if it is swarming, as wasps do not swarm. Nests are typically found in places like cavity walls, under roof tiles, or, most commonly, in chimneys. Honey bees build their nests to fit the available space, but they can outgrow these areas, which may lead them to swarm.
Chimneys are particularly attractive to honey bees because they offer ample space for the colony to expand. If you have an open fireplace and notice a swarm entering your chimney, the best immediate action is to light a fire. This may encourage the bees to move on before they have the opportunity to establish a nest and start building honeycomb.
What a bumble bee looks like
Like honey bees, bumble bees come in a variety of species. However, for the purposes of this article, we will focus on the key characteristics to help you accurately identify a bumble bee when consulting with a professional.
Bumble bees are quite easy to recognise. They are predominantly black and fluffy, with yellow stripes and tails that can vary in colour. Their size can range significantly, with some bumble bees being quite large, though you’ll typically find a mix of sizes within a single nest. A common sign that you have a bumble bee nest is seeing males buzzing around outside the nest on warm days. This often occurs at the roof gutter level, as bumble bees frequently nest in the insulation of lofts. They are also known for being “crawlers,” sometimes walking up to two metres to reach their nest.
Bumble bees are generally very docile and are unlikely to sting unless they feel seriously threatened, as stinging is fatal for them. However, they will defend their nest if necessary, so it’s important not to disturb or provoke them. Bumble bees may build nests in unusual locations, such as in the ground, bird boxes, or cavity walls with access holes.
Identifying Wasps
When comparing bees and wasps, wasps are far more aggressive and have a distinctly fierce appearance, characterised by their bold yellow and black striped bodies. Furthermore, a wasp sting can be very serious for those who are allergic.
What a Wasp looks like
Bees and wasps look different as wasps lack body hair, and their striking yellow colour contrasts sharply with the black on their bodies, making them stand out even more. Wasps also behave differently; rather than buzzing around the outside of their nest like bees, you’ll notice a steady stream of wasps coming and going with clear intent.
Wasps typically start appearing around June or July and remain active until November, although there are occasional exceptions. Early in the season, the worker wasps are smaller in size, gradually increasing in size as the season progresses. Wasps commonly build their nests in lofts, and if you turn on a light in a loft where a wasp nest is present, they will often be attracted and buzz around the light. Please note that common wasp stings can be very dangerous, and they can sting multiple times, so take extreme caution when trying to inspect.
What a hornet looks like
The European Hornet is easily recognisable due to its impressive size, typically about an inch long. Although they can be intimidating, especially with the loud buzzing noise they produce, they are not as aggressive as wasps. European Hornets have brown bodies with yellow stripes on their abdomens, brown legs, and two prominent antennae atop their heads. Despite their somewhat menacing appearance, they are generally less aggressive than wasps.
Hornets are highly attracted to light, so if you have a hornet’s nest nearby, you might notice them flying towards windows at night, which can be quite alarming given their size.
Another species to be aware of is the Asian Hornet, which has recently started appearing in the UK. It’s important to note that if you spot what you believe to be an Asian Hornet, you should report it immediately. Asian Hornets pose a significant threat to our honey bee populations and can decimate a swarm of bees within days.
Summary
Hopefully, this article has provided you with the information you need to identify bees and wasps, allowing us to offer the most appropriate solution to your pest problem. Whether it’s rehoming a swarm of bees or safely removing a wasp nest, our goal is to ensure your environment is safe and secure. Be sure to keep an eye out for the future blogs mentioned earlier, and always rely on a professional to handle these situations safely.
If you have a honey bee swarm trying to settle in a bird box or need expert assistance, Pest-Tech is here to help. We specialise in the treatment of wasps and the safe rehoming of bees. To find out how we can assist you, whether it’s removing a wasp nest or relocating a bee hive, give our team a call at 01622 296055.