Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Pilgrims Hatch

Autumn flowers can attract a startling crowd of insects, but a cloud of insects on ivy blossom is very different from a wasp nest in the house.

Why autumn looks busy

By September many summer flowers are over, and food becomes scarce for insects. Ivy, which flowers late, becomes the main source of nectar in many gardens and hedges. On a warm day the flower heads can be covered in insects, humming loudly.

That sight alarms a lot of people, and understandably so. A mass of stripy bodies near a path or a wall looks like trouble. In reality it is mostly insects feeding, and they are interested in the flowers, not you.

It is useful to know who is who before taking action.

Late-season insect activity is one of the commonest reasons for worry, because it comes at a time when people expect the insect season to be ending. In fact, warm days in September and October can bring out a surprising number of wasps and bees, and their behaviour changes. The sections below help you read what you see and separate harmless feeding from a nest that deserves attention. A little knowledge of the autumn pattern saves a lot of alarm, and it also helps you decide when it is worth asking for treatment rather than waiting for the weather to turn.

Who is on the ivy

Several kinds of insect visit ivy blossom. Honeybees and bumblebees come for nectar and pollen. Hoverflies hang in the air above the flowers. Wasps visit too, because they take the sugary nectar in the last weeks of the season.

There are also solitary bees that are active late in the year. They are small, tidy and look rather like honeybees, but they behave as individuals rather than in a nest.

Look at the shapes. Slim, smooth, glossy insects with narrow waists are wasps. Furry, golden-brown, plump insects are bees. Most of the activity you see will be a mix of both, and none of it indicates a nest.

It also helps to know that wasps and bees are not enemies at the ivy. They share the flowers without fuss, each taking what it needs, and a crowd of insects at the blossom is a sign of a healthy autumn garden. Standing at a respectful distance is enough to enjoy the scene without risk.

When the autumn wasps are a problem

Wasps seem more bothersome in autumn for a reason. The colony is past its peak, the workers have less to do and fewer grubs to feed, and they wander further for sugar. They land on cakes, drinks, windfall apples and bins, and may seem erratic.

If the nest is close to the house, you may see more insects entering rooms through open windows. A nest that is still active in September or October can be just as hazardous as one in midsummer.

Do not assume the problem will end at the first frost. Colonies decline through the autumn, but not all at once, and treatment is still possible.

If you are in doubt about a particular insect, a photograph of it feeding on the flowers makes identification easy. Take it from a metre or more away using the zoom, and look at the waist and the surface of the body when you review it indoors. Slim and shiny means wasp, plump and furry means bee, and the picture will not change its mind while you decide.

How to tell flower visitors from nest traffic

Use a few simple tests:

• Insects on a flower head, moving from bloom to bloom, are feeding.
• Insects entering and leaving a single gap in a wall, roof edge, bush or the ground in a steady line belong to a nest.
• Insects around bins and fruit are scavenging.
• Insects that come in through windows and head for the light have probably strayed from a nearby nest, or simply wandered in.

Count the traffic at a gap for two minutes and note when it happens. A nest produces a regular flow throughout the day, which is not true of a flower visit.

If you must pass close to flowering ivy, such as along a path or by the front door, walk steadily and avoid sudden movements. The insects are busy and normally ignore people. Brushing against the stems or shaking the plant is what causes trouble, so avoid trimming it while it is covered in insects.

What to do about ivy

Leave flowering ivy alone while it is in bloom if you can. It is an important autumn food source for honeybees, bumblebees and other pollinators, and cutting it back now removes it just when the insects need it.

If ivy grows against a wall where wasps are nesting, avoid pulling or clipping it near the entrance. The vibration can disturb the colony and lead to stings.

Clear fallen fruit from around the garden, and keep bin lids closed. This reduces the nuisance without harming anything.

It is also worth remembering that gardens with fruit trees attract more autumn wasps than tidy ones, simply because there is more sugar available. Collecting windfalls every day or two is one of the most effective things you can do.

When to book

If you can trace wasps to a nest, arrange treatment. The number to call is 01245 327274 or request a visit through the contact page form. Each nest is treated for £90 and the visit is guaranteed as one visit. Any additional nest found on the property is £35 per nest.

The service is available seven days a week. Full insurance is in place, same-day service is offered and businesses are covered as well as homes.

Where the insects are honeybees or bumblebees, a local beekeeper or bee organisation is the right contact instead. People with a known allergy are best advised by their GP. If a family member is allergic to wasp stings, mention it when you book so the booking can be prioritised.

Frequently asked questions

More wasp advice for Pilgrims Hatch