Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Staplehurst
Holes in lawns, banks and compost heaps are used by both wasps and bumblebees, so careful watching is the best way to avoid treating the wrong insect.
A hole in the ground can belong to either
Garden soil, lawn edges, banks and compost heaps are favourite spots for several insects, and that causes much confusion. Wasps can build nests in holes in the ground, but so can bumblebees, and the two look different once you pay attention. If you live in Staplehurst, in Kent, and have noticed traffic around a hole in the soil, a little careful watching will tell you which you have.
The reason it matters is simple. Wasps are the insects we treat, while bumblebees are valuable pollinators that should be left to a local beekeeper or bee organisation. Getting the identification right means the right person comes.
Soil nests are easy to miss until traffic builds up. A neat hole about the width of a finger, sometimes surrounded by loose earth, can be hidden by grass until the insects are already busy. If you spot something that looks like that, it is worth marking it from a distance and keeping away while you work out what is using it.
How the traffic differs
Watch the entrance from a safe distance, side-on, for a few minutes.
- Wasps arrive and depart quickly and directly. They are smooth, narrow-waisted and boldly marked in yellow and black. Traffic often builds through the day.
- Bumblebees are heavy, round and furry, with a slower, bobbing flight. Their nests tend to be quieter, and the number of insects using the hole is usually modest.
A busy hole with a steady flow of quick, smooth insects is a likely wasp nest. A modest, slow, furry coming and going is likely bumblebees.
Take note of the time of day as well. Wasp traffic is usually strongest in warm, bright weather, while bumblebee visits can be spread through the day and are often slower and softer. A short written record of when you see what is more useful than a hurried glance in the heat of the moment.
Compost heaps, banks and lawns
Compost heaps are warm and sheltered, and bumblebees sometimes use them. Wasps can also use holes in banks and lawn edges. Because of this, do not turn a compost heap over or dig near an entrance while you are unsure. Disturbing a nest of any kind can provoke stinging, and a disturbed wasp nest can lead to swarming.
Some people try to fill the hole in or pour liquids down it. Please do not. It is unsafe and likely to make the insects far more defensive. Mark the area with a stick or cone from a safe distance and keep children and pets well away.
If you do compost, avoid stirring the heap during warm weather until you have checked it from a distance. Look at the sides, the lid and the edges, and watch for insects coming and going. Gardening gloves are no protection against stings, and a disturbed colony is far more defensive than one left undisturbed.
If you keep a compost bin with a lid, lift it only after watching for several minutes, and do it slowly and calmly. If you see a sudden surge of insects from the opening, close the lid gently, step away and leave it be.
What the season tells you
Wasps start building nests from late April, depending on the weather, and a colony peaks in August with 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps. A ground nest that seemed quiet in early summer may be very busy by late summer, which is why it pays to act once you are sure.
Bumblebee nests, by contrast, stay modest and are best left to run their course unless there is a specific problem, in which case a local beekeeper or bee organisation can advise. If you are sure you have bees, there is no need to call us.
For gardeners it is natural to want the problem solved straight away, but a few days of patient watching can save a lot of trouble. If the insects turn out to be wasps, you will be ready with a clear description. If they turn out to be bumblebees, you will have avoided a disturbance that would have harmed a useful pollinator.
Telling us what you found
When you ring, tell us whether the hole is in a lawn, a bank, a flower bed or a compost heap, how large the opening looks, and how many insects you can see in a short time. Mention the time of day and whether children or pets use the space.
Wasp Exterminator Kent can be reached on 01622 410 019 or through the online form. A wasp nest costs a fixed £120 per nest with one visit guaranteed and no call-out charge, and an additional nest at the same property is £60 extra. We offer same-day service seven days a week, plus evening and weekend appointments.
It is also worth telling us whether the hole is near a path, a play area, a washing line or a pet's favourite spot. A nest by a seldom-used corner is a different level of worry from one beside the back door, and we can plan our visit with that in mind.
Safe habits until the visit
Avoid mowing close to the entrance, keep dogs on a lead near the spot, and do not stand in the line of flight. If anyone in the household has a sting allergy, tell us when you book so the visit can be prioritised. Our technicians are fully insured and qualified and can advise on whether the empty nest can be taken down afterwards.
After the visit, ask the technician whether anything needs to be done to the area, such as filling in a hole. Leave that to their advice rather than guessing, and keep children and pets clear until you are told the area is safe to use again.
Wasps on your property in Staplehurst?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.