Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Glenfield
Wasps and bees both sting, but they behave very differently when threatened. Knowing the difference helps you react sensibly, treat a sting and decide who to call.
Defence, not aggression
Neither wasps nor bees look for fights. Both sting to protect themselves or their nest, and most stings occur when someone brushes against an insect, treads on one or wanders too near a nest entrance. Understanding how each type defends itself explains a lot of everyday advice.
Honeybees have a barbed sting that usually stays in the skin, which kills the bee. For that reason a honeybee stings only as a last resort. Bumblebees have a smoother sting and can use it more than once, but they are docile and seldom do.
Wasps have a smooth sting and can use it repeatedly. A wasp defending a nest, or one trapped against skin, can sting more than once. That is why people remember their experience with wasps so clearly.
Another point is the effect of a second sting. Reaction in people varies, and that is why anyone who has had a strong reaction in the past should take stings seriously from the first.
The idea that bees are gentle and wasps are vicious is only partly true. A hive or nest being threatened will provoke either one. The difference is that a wasp nest tends to hold far more individuals later in the summer and can mount a bigger response.
Why wasps near a nest are different
A single wasp at a picnic is usually only interested in food. Wasps near a nest, though, behave as a unit. A nest can hold thousands of wasps, and disturbance triggers many of them to defend it. Vibration, knocking, shouting and quick movements near an entrance can all provoke a response.
That is why we advise staying well clear and why DIY attempts to knock down or block a nest so often end badly. A nest peaks in August, which is when most such incidents happen.
Honeybees defend a hive too, but a swarm in a tree has no home to guard and is generally calm.
Clothing and behaviour make a difference too. Bare feet on the lawn, flapping at insects and wearing strong scents are all things that lead to stings in summer. Calm, slow movement away from a wasp is nearly always the better choice.
If a wasp lands on you, stay still or brush it off gently. Do not crush it against your skin.
What to do if someone is stung
Most stings are painful and short-lived. Sensible first aid is simple.
- Move away from the insects to a safe place.
- If a sting is visible in the skin, remove it quickly by scraping or plucking.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply a cold pack or a cloth with cold water to ease swelling.
- Watch the person for the next while.
If there is swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash, call 999 straight away. Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP about a plan.
Remember that pain, redness and a small swelling at the sting are expected. They usually settle on their own. A larger area of swelling that develops and does not ease is worth a call to your pharmacist or GP for general advice.
Avoid scratching, as this can irritate the skin further.
Using stings to identify the culprit
Stings themselves can hint at what you have. If a sting was left in the skin, it was a honeybee. A person stung several times in quick succession near a hole or wall most likely met wasps defending a nest.
Those details are worth passing on when you phone, as is the place where it happened. Tell the technician if somebody was stung near a doorway, a washing line or a play area.
Remember that people often cannot say which insect stung them. If you did not see it, describe the surroundings instead, such as whether you were near a gap, a flower or a bin.
The time of year is another clue. A sting in May from a lone insect near flowers could be a bee, whereas multiple stings in August around a wall or roof edge are far more likely to be wasps.
Bees are not our job
We treat wasps only. Honeybees and bumblebees pollinate crops and gardens, and their sting is nearly always a defensive last resort. If you have bees nesting in a wall, chimney or bird box, a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation is the right contact.
If you have wasps near a family area, however, it is worth acting. Keep children and pets away from the entrance and do not try to deal with it yourself.
Please resist any temptation to relocate a bumblebee nest yourself. Disturbing it can lead to the kind of defensive stinging you were trying to avoid.
Do not try to kill individual insects near a nest. The disturbance, and the scent given off by a crushed wasp, can draw more of them towards you.
Booking help in Glenfield
Our technicians are trained and fully insured, and we work for domestic and commercial customers. Wasp nest treatment is a fixed £95 per nest, with an additional nest on the same property at £35 per nest, and there is no call-out charge. The price is confirmed on the phone before we attend, and nothing is done without your agreement.
Ring 0116 214 9259 or use the booking form on the contact page. We are open seven days a week, with same-day service available. If anyone in your household is allergic to wasp stings, tell us when you book so we can take it into account.
When you ring, mention if the nest is near a school route, play area or gate, as it helps us plan the visit.
Our technician will confirm that the insects are wasps when they arrive.
Wasps on your property in Glenfield?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.