Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Harvel
Pets investigate holes, hedges and fallen fruit with their noses, so knowing which insects you have, and where, helps you protect them as well as the family.
Animals find things first
Dogs sniff along fences and borders. Cats stalk anything that moves. Rabbits and guinea pigs spend time on the lawn. All of them are more likely than the people in the household to put their faces near an insect entrance, which is why pets are often the first to be stung.
In Harvel, as elsewhere, a pet that suddenly yelps, paws at its muzzle or refuses to go to a particular corner of the garden is giving you a clue. The next job is to work out what is there, from a safe distance, and decide who should deal with it.
Cats and dogs react differently. A dog may charge at the entrance and get stung on the nose or tongue. A cat may stalk quietly and swipe a paw. Both can be hurt, and both will return to the same spot if they find it interesting, so stopping access is the key step until the matter is resolved.
Signs your pet has found something
Look out for these behaviours.
- Persistent interest in one spot, such as a hole in the lawn or a gap at the base of a fence.
- Sudden yelping, pawing at the face or shaking the head after being outside.
- Swelling around the nose, lips or paws.
- Reluctance to go into part of the garden they used before.
- Chasing or snapping at flying insects.
If your animal appears distressed or its face swells, contact your vet straight away. We cannot give veterinary advice.
Small animals living outdoors, such as rabbits and guinea pigs in hutches and runs, need thought too. If a nest has appeared close to their enclosure, think about moving them to a quieter spot well away from the entrance, doing so calmly and without poking around the nest area.
What is there: wasps or bees?
Watch the spot from a distance, keeping the animal well away. Wasps are smooth, narrow-waisted and boldly marked, and the traffic at their entrance is quick and direct. Bumblebees are round, furry and slow, and a bumblebee nest in the ground is usually quiet. Honeybees are golden brown and fuzzy.
Ground nests are especially tempting for dogs and are a common source of stings. Because both wasps and bumblebees can nest in holes in the ground, take care to identify what is using the hole before deciding who to call.
Take a photograph of the spot from a safe distance, keeping your animal indoors or on a lead behind you. A clear picture of the entrance and its surroundings is far more helpful than a guess from memory, and it saves you from going back for a second look.
Fallen fruit, bird seed and dropped food can lure insects to the places your animals like best. Sweep or collect these items regularly, especially under trees and around feeding stations, and keep your pet away from piles of rotting windfalls where wasps may be feeding.
Sensible garden habits
A few steps reduce the risk to animals.
- Keep dogs on a lead near any suspected nest.
- Pick up fallen fruit, which attracts wasps in late summer.
- Empty outdoor water bowls and food dishes after use, as sweet or meaty scraps attract insects.
- Keep bins closed and away from where pets play.
- Check your pet for stings if they come in agitated.
Depending on the weather, wasps start nests from late April, in sheltered spots like gaps in eaves and walls, chimneys, trees, bushes or the ground itself. Numbers climb through the summer months before peaking in August at anything from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps.
If a person is stung.
When a sting happens, clean the skin with water, remove any sting that shows and apply a cold pack. Ring 999 immediately if someone develops a widespread rash, feels dizzy, wheezes or struggles to breathe, or their face, lips or throat swell. Anybody who has reacted badly before should speak to their GP about it.
When the answer is bees.
Bees on garden flowers rarely bother animals unless they are sniffed or stepped on. Honeybees and bumblebees help pollinate gardens and crops, so please ask a local beekeeper or bee organisation for advice instead of us. Our team concentrates on wasps alone, and we will be upfront if bees seem more likely.
Keep an eye on the area after a nest has been dealt with, and do not allow your pet to dig or sniff at the opening until the technician says it is safe. Animals are drawn to places that have smelled interesting, and that can continue for a while.
Getting the nest dealt with
For wasps, we can help, and the sooner the better for the pets in your household.
Book by ringing Wasp Exterminator Kent on 01622 410 019 or use the online form if you would rather write it down. The fee per nest stays at £120 wherever the property is, with no call-out charge and one visit guaranteed. Every further nest at the same premises is just £60 extra.
The service offers same-day service for domestic and commercial customers, seven days a week. Evening and weekend slots are part of the service, and each technician is fully insured and qualified.
For a household with a sting allergy, it is worth telling us when you book so the job can be prioritised. Never approach an active nest, as the wasps can swarm and sting when they feel under threat.
If you keep poultry, consider where the coop and run are in relation to the activity. Feed and water attract insects in the same way as other sweet and protein-rich food, so keep supplies covered and clear any spills quickly, especially in late summer.
Wasps on your property in Harvel?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.