Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Berners Roding

When the insects turn out to be honeybees, the right help comes from a beekeeper, so it pays to know how to confirm bees and describe them.

Why this is not a pest control job

Honeybees are managed and wild pollinators that support crops and gardens. Destroying a colony is rarely necessary, and many beekeepers are happy to collect swarms or advise on colonies in awkward places.

We treat wasp nests only. If your insects are honeybees or bumblebees, please contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation. Doing so costs you little and protects an important insect.

The trick is to be sure before you ring.

This article is for anyone who has not dealt with beekeepers before. Beekeepers are generally approachable, practical people, and a phone call or email is usually all that is needed.

Think of the beekeeper as the specialist for bees in the same way that we are for wasps. Each of us does one job properly, and the right referral saves time, money and insects. If you are asked how you found out about the bees, say what you looked at: shape, colour, behaviour and the nest. Those four things are what everyone uses.

Confirming that they are bees

Check the basics. Honeybees are golden-brown, slightly furry and medium in build, with no obvious waist. They fly steadily and collect pollen, often visible on their hind legs. A colony in a cavity has orderly traffic at a small entrance, and a smooth, deep hum.

If instead the insects are slim, smooth and boldly banded, darting and interested in food, they are probably wasps.

A cluster hanging from a branch or fence is likely a swarm, and the bees are usually calm.

Take a photograph if it is safe to do so, using the zoom. Send it with your description. Clear pictures of the bees, the entrance and the surroundings let the beekeeper tell quickly whether they are honeybees and whether collection is possible.

Beekeepers also like to know the time of year and the weather, because those affect how easily bees can be moved. If you can say when the bees first arrived, that is worth including.

What to tell the beekeeper

A beekeeper will want to know:

• Where the bees are: a branch, a wall cavity, a chimney, a compost bin.
• How high up they are, and how accessible.
• How long they have been there.
• Roughly how big the cluster or colony is.
• Whether they are in the open or in an enclosed space.
• Whether anyone has been stung.

A photograph from a safe distance is very helpful. Describe it plainly, without guessing at the species.

Timing matters with swarms. A swarm may stay in one place for only a day or two, so a quick call gives the best chance of collection. A colony that has built comb inside a wall is a longer job and may need a specialist with the right equipment.

Be prepared for the beekeeper to ask you to wait, because they may be dealing with other calls. Keep clear of the bees meanwhile, and call back if the situation changes, for instance if the bees start entering the house or a child has been stung. Most beekeepers are volunteers or part-timers and will do what they can.

Keeping bees and people safe meanwhile

Keep everyone away from the bees. Do not spray, smoke, hit or try to move them. Keep pets and children back, and close nearby windows if bees are entering the house.

Swarms are usually docile because they have no home to defend, but disturbed bees can sting. A colony in a wall or chimney needs even more care.

If someone is stung, For a sting, rinse the area, take out any visible sting and cool the skin with a cold pack; if there is swelling around the lips, face or throat, wheezing, dizziness or a widespread rash, phone 999 straight away.

If you rent your home or the building is shared, you may need permission before a beekeeper can enter, so check with the landlord or managing agent. The tenancy agreement or lease will say who decides, and we cannot advise on that.

Bumblebees

Bumblebees are different again. Their nests are small and short-lived, and usually best left alone. If one is in the way, a bee organisation can advise on timing and what to do.

They are bigger and furrier than honeybees, with soft bands and a pale tail. They move heavily and noisily and rarely sting.

Many people are glad to learn that a bumblebee nest in a bank or under a shed will have gone by the autumn.

Keep in mind that a bumblebee nest does not need a beekeeper. Bumblebees are wild, and their nests are small and temporary. If one is in an awkward place, a bee organisation can give advice on managing it until it dies back in autumn.

If it turns out to be wasps

If you decide the insects are wasps, we can help. The number to call is 01245 327274, or book through the form on the contact page. The price is £90 for a nest, with one visit guaranteed; any additional nest found on the property is £35 per nest.

The lines are open seven days a week; full insurance is in place, same-day service is offered and businesses are covered as well as homes. Anyone allergic should take advice from a GP, and a sting allergy in the household is worth mentioning when you book.

In Berners Roding and the surrounding villages the technician can visit once the booking is made. If you are not certain, a clear photograph and a short description will help you decide who to contact.

If you are unsure whether the insects are honeybees or wasps, a photograph sent to either a beekeeper or to us will help. Neither of us will mind being asked, and the right answer matters for the insects as well as for you.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Berners Roding