Wasp & bee stings are the same
Some people assume that if they’re allergic to one, they will be allergic to the other but this is usually not the case as the venom from bee stings and wasp stings are different with bee stings being acidic and wasp stings alkaline. Most bees will sting only once and some species like the honeybee leave their stinger in the skin, whereas a wasp will attempt to pull its stinger out and fly away, or can even continue to sting you multiple times.
Wasps are more dangerous than bees
Wasps are often thought of as the more aggressive of the two buzzing insects and being attacked by a wasp is more likely. However, this is only because wasps tend to build their nests in concealed locations like in the ground, undergrowth and loft spaces so accidentally disturbing them is likely to cause a wasp attack. Disturbing a bee nest is just as likely to trigger a dangerous attack, but bee nests are usually harder to stumble across by accident.
Removing flowers will deter wasps
Like bees, wasps are natural pollinators who are drawn to the brightly-coloured flowers in our gardens. While cutting back on your garden displays might mean you get fewer unwanted visitors in the form of stinging insects invading your summer garden parties, this won’t make any difference when wasps come out and choose a spot to nest in. Wasps seek a sheltered location that will keep them safe, which is often in garages, sheds, outbuildings or roof eaves and other areas of your home, so nearby flowers aren’t a factor when it’s time to build a new nest. Also, the queen wasp emerges from hibernation and starts work on the nest in early spring, which is often before flowers have bloomed anyway.
Wasps don’t return
If you have a nest one year, some people assume that they won’t return when it comes to wasp season next year. While it’s true that wasps will not reuse an old nest from the previous year, it’s still possible that they will build a new nest in the same place or even inside or on top of the old one if it was a good location for them.
You can remove a wasp nest yourself
DIY methods of removing a wasp nest are not recommended as this could cause serious damage to yourself or your property, particularly if the nest is in a place that isn’t easily accessible such as in your loft. Some DIY methods say that it’s best to attempt to destroy a wasp nest at night when they’re least active, but it’s always best to contact professional pest control to remove a wasp nest for you as they will have both the equipment and the experience to deal with it effectively.
Yes, and this is one of the main reasons wasp encounters turn nasty so quickly. Some species, like the common wasp, frequently choose to build their nests in the ground, often in abandoned rodent burrows or beneath garden decking. Because the entrance is small and easy to miss, people disturb these nests simply by walking nearby or doing garden work. If you notice wasps flying in and out of a hole in the ground, do not investigate and contact a pest control professional to remove it safely.
Wasps are far less active at night than during the day as they rely on daylight and warmth to fly and forage. Most workers will return to the nest by dusk, which is why some people assume it is safer to deal with a nest after dark. However, as we explain in our guide to whether wasps are active at night, less active does not mean harmless. The nest is still full of wasps and any disturbance will trigger a defensive response, so this is never a job for a DIYer regardless of the time of day.
By mid-autumn most worker wasps will have died off and the nest will be largely dormant or completely empty. A nest discovered in winter is very likely to be abandoned and poses little immediate danger. That said, as we cover in our article on whether it is safe to remove a wasp nest in winter, wasps do not reuse old nests but may well build a new one in exactly the same spot next season if it suited them. Having it removed now means one less problem to deal with come spring.
Contact us
If you’re looking for a professional and dependable pest control partner for your business, MJB Pest Control is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and find out how we can help keep your premises pest-free.
