Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Great Oakley

Outbuildings are visited rarely, so insects often settle there unnoticed, and the first you know of it may be a sting when you open the door.

Why outbuildings are popular

Sheds, garages, summerhouses and workshops are dry, quiet and full of gaps. They are also rarely disturbed for weeks at a time. For a wasp looking for a nest site, it is hard to ask for much more.

Honeybees and bumblebees sometimes use them as well. A bumblebee may nest in a pile of old sacks or a gap beneath the floor, while a honeybee swarm may settle in a cavity in the roof.

The risk is that you walk into the building without a thought and disturb a nest. A moment's care at the door can prevent a nasty surprise.

Garden buildings tend to be forgotten until they are needed. The mower is in there, or the bikes, or the barbecue, and the first person to reach for the door handle on a warm afternoon discovers the problem the hard way. A little forethought avoids that.

Before you open the door

Stop and watch for a minute. Look at the roof edge, the top of the walls and the gaps around the door and windows. Is there a line of insects going in and out? Is there a buzzing or rustling noise from inside?

Listen at a distance, not against the wall. If you see slim, smooth, striped insects entering a gap, treat the building as a nest site and leave it closed.

If there is no sign of activity, proceed slowly. Open the door gently, stand to one side, and look at the ceiling and corners before you go in.

Wear sensible clothing when you work in an outbuilding in summer. Long sleeves, closed shoes and gloves reduce the chance of stings if a stray insect is disturbed. Keep a clear path to the door so that you can leave quickly, and avoid working with your back to a corner or in a place where you could be trapped if insects emerged.

Wasp nests in a shed or garage

A wasp nest in an outbuilding is often attached to a rafter, the underside of a roof or the corner of a wall. It is made of grey paper and may be as small as a golf ball in spring or as large as a football by August.

Wasps may also use a gap behind cladding, a hole in the floor or a space behind shelves. They hunt for wood fibre, so old timber is a favourite.

Do not use the building until the nest is treated. Equipment and tools can wait, and vibration from moving things about can trigger an attack.

If a nest is visible in the roof, resist the temptation to photograph it from underneath. Take a picture from the doorway at the longest range you can manage, or from outside, and leave the building. A blurred picture is better than a sting.

Bees in outbuildings

If the insects are round, furry and slow, they are probably bees. A bumblebee nest in a pile of old cloth, a compost bag or a gap beneath the floor will have only a few insects, and you will see them coming and going one at a time.

A honeybee colony in a roof or wall is bigger, with more traffic, and a steady hum. Honeybees need a beekeeper or bee organisation, who may be able to collect them.

In both cases, avoid blocking the entrance. If you need access to the building, speak to a bee organisation about timing.

Bumblebees may also nest in the walls of outbuildings, in loose insulation or beneath floors, although less often than in the ground. If you are not sure what you have, look at the insects, not at the nest. Large, furry and bumbling means bees. Slim, shiny and darting means wasps.

Keeping outbuildings clear

There are a few steps that reduce the chance of a nest taking hold:

• Check roofs, eaves and walls every month during spring and summer.
• Fill unnecessary gaps in the winter, when nothing is using them.
• Keep stored items off the floor and away from walls.
• Cover air bricks and vents with fine mesh.
• Clear old wood piles and tidy the surrounding garden.

Do all this outside the active season, not while insects are in residence. Clean a sting with water, remove the sting if you can see it and cool the area; swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheeze, trouble breathing, dizziness or a spreading rash means dialling 999 at once.

A final tip is to keep a torch and a phone near the door of any outbuilding, so you can photograph and report anything unusual from the doorway without stepping inside. Tell everyone in the household what you have found, including children who might otherwise wander in.

Arranging treatment

If you have a wasp nest in a shed, garage or other outbuilding, book treatment. Telephone 01245 327274, or use the form on the contact page if you prefer. The fixed fee is £90 per nest, one visit guaranteed; a second nest on the same property adds £35 per nest.

Wasp Nest Removal Essex is open seven days a week; same-day service is offered, and the work is fully insured. In Great Oakley and nearby villages the technician visits once the booking is made.

People who know they are allergic should talk to their GP; mention any sting allergy when you ring or fill in the form, and the booking can be prioritised.

For a business with outbuildings, such as a yard, workshop or storage unit, tell staff not to enter the affected building until the visit is complete. Put a sign on the door so nobody wanders in by mistake.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Great Oakley