Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Warehorne
A small mound of earth or a neat hole in the lawn can be home to several different insects, so a careful look from a distance helps before you decide what to do.
Not every hole is a wasp nest
Lawns and bare patches often show small holes, and the temptation is to assume wasps. In reality several insects use the ground, and not all of them are a concern. Looking closely at the opening and the traffic around it gives a good idea of what you are dealing with.
If you have noticed holes in a lawn or verge at your property in Warehorne, resist the urge to stamp on them, fill them or pour anything down. Watch first.
Rain makes a difference. After heavy rain, many holes fill with water or collapse and only active nests reopen quickly. If a hole is clear and has traffic again the next day, that is a sign that it is in regular use. A hole that stays blocked after wet weather is unlikely to be home to a developed colony.
What to look for at the opening
- The opening. A round hole about the width of a finger, sometimes with loose earth around it.
- The traffic. A constant, quick stream of smooth insects points to wasps. Slow, furry insects point to bumblebees.
- The mound. A small heap of fine soil with a single hole in the middle may be made by a solitary insect, with little or no traffic, and not by wasps.
- The timing. Wasp traffic increases through the summer. A short-lived hole that seems quiet may be a passing visitor.
Dog walkers and children are the most likely to stumble across a ground nest, because a nest below the surface is invisible until you are standing on it. If you have a lawn that is used by the family, a quick walk around at a cool time of day, looking at the grass and edges from a distance, is a good habit through the summer.
Ground nesting wasps
Wasps can build their nest underground, using a hole abandoned by a small animal or a natural cavity. The visible part is only the entrance, and the nest itself can be much larger than you would guess. The insects commute in and out in steady numbers, and the traffic tends to rise as the season goes on.
From late April, weather permitting, wasps begin to build, in eaves, wall gaps, chimneys, trees, bushes or underground holes. The colony expands all summer with the August peak bringing anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 or more wasps.
Take photographs of the hole, a wide shot of its surroundings and, if you can do it safely, a short video of the traffic from a distance. That tells us a great deal about whether it is a busy entrance or a quiet one, and you can send it with your enquiry.
Remember that wasps defend their nest from a distance. A person standing a couple of metres from the entrance may be treated as a threat by guards. That is why we advise keeping a generous distance when watching, and using binoculars or a zoom lens rather than creeping closer.
Ground nesting bees
Some bees also nest in the ground. Bumblebees may use an old hole, while other solitary bees dig small burrows in bare soil. These are valuable pollinators and not a danger when left alone. A few solitary bees may excavate in a sunny patch and then disappear after a few weeks. The traffic around such a hole is slow, light and irregular, and there is no stream of insects.
Both honeybees and bumblebees are important pollinators, and should be handled by a local beekeeper or bee organisation. The service deals with wasps only, and we will say so honestly if your description sounds like bees.
Banks, ditches and the bases of hedges are as likely as lawns, so extend your checks to those spots too. A nest in a bank beside a path can be as risky as one in the middle of the lawn, especially if people or animals pass by it regularly.
If a pet or child has already been stung near the spot, tell us. It will help us understand how active the colony is and how soon the visit is needed. It also reminds everyone that the area needs to be treated as out of bounds in the meantime.
Staying safe around lawns
Until you know what is using the hole, avoid mowing near it, keep children and pets away and do not dig. Stay clear of any nest you find, since the wasps will swarm and sting if they sense a threat. Mark the spot from a safe distance with a cane or cone so that everyone remembers it is there.
Do not assume that a hole will stay in the same place. If an entrance is disturbed or blocked, the insects will make a new one nearby. Leave the area alone, and wait for advice about whether anything should be done to the ground afterwards.
Arranging help
If it looks like wasps, we are here.
If you would like a technician to look at it, call 01622 410 019 or send an enquiry through the booking form at any hour. The charge for a nest is £120 flat, with one visit guaranteed and no extra for location or time of day. Another nest found on your property is £60 extra.
Our team takes domestic and commercial jobs, with same-day service and seven-day opening. Appointments in the evening or at weekends are there if daytime is awkward, and the technicians are fully insured and qualified.
If you or a relative react badly to stings, say so when you book so the visit can be prioritised.
Wasps on your property in Warehorne?
Fixed price £120 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.