Finding a bee hive or a wasp nest in your garden or building will require some further action on your part. While bees and wasps are an undeniable part of nature, they can be viewed as pests when they nest too close to human habitats. After all, wasps especially can be harmful due to their stings, which is why it is very important to stay fully informed about wasp control in Melbourne.
In this article, we will take you through the differences between wasps and bees, and what you should do if you come across their nests or hives on your property. Hopefully, you will understand a little more about wasp and bee control in Melbourne!
Identifying bees and wasps
While we often talk about bees and wasps together, you should know that they are two different types of insects with differing physical characteristics and mannerisms. Here is a little bit of information about bees and European wasps so that you will be able to tell whether it is a bee or wasp exterminator in Melbourne that you need.
Bees are about 15mm in length and have a yellow or a golden brown colour. They have black stripes around their bodies, which are rounder than European wasps. They have black, hairy legs and they feed on pollen and nectar.
European wasps, on the other hand, are approximately 15-25mm in length. They have bright yellow and black stripes on their back half, with black dots between the stripes down each side of the abdomen. Moreover, wasps have bright yellow legs and have longer, thicker antennae compared to bees. European wasps are predators and scavengers, and are also attracted to human food and drink.
Both bees and wasps are capable of giving painful stings. However, honey bees will die after giving one sting as their stinger is pulled from their abdomen, while European wasps are free to sting again.
Identifying bees and wasp nests
European wasps build their nests out of chewed wood pulp and saliva, giving their nest walls a distinct, paper-like look. Usually, European wasp nests are built in sheltered locations, mostly in the ground or inside buildings. Their nests resemble the shape of a football. Europeans wasps can be traced back to their nest because wasps fly virtually in a straight line back to the nest after locating a food source.
Bees tend to make their hives with similar materials as wasps. However, bee hives are usually smaller and located in areas like thick grass, abandoned sheds, or the inside of hollow trees and walls. On top of that, honey bee hives are usually built in a more organised way, with the use of hexagon-shaped cells.
What to do when you find a nest or hive
If you find a European wasp nest, you should not leave it unattended as European wasps can pose a danger to humans. If the nest is on your property, you have a responsibility to have it removed or destroyed.
The best way to get rid of a European wasp nest is by calling in a professional wasp exterminator to treat it for you. While some people try to treat wasp nests on their own, it is not encouraged for several reasons.
For one, you must have all the proper equipment and materials on hand, such as a registered wasp chemical insecticide and protective gear. You also need to ensure that you have a quick and easy retreat to safety after treating the nest. If you are allergic to wasps, bees, or ants, you definitely should avoid trying to get rid of the wasp nest yourself.
As for bees, bee hives are less of a danger to the public compared to European wasp nests. If the bee hive is located somewhere far away from human residences or traffic, then the hive can be left undisturbed as it poses no big risk to public safety. Bees are important pollinators of a wide range of plants, in addition to producing honey and beeswax.
If you need to remove a bee hive from your property, you can get in touch with an experienced bee exterminator in Melbourne who will be able to judge the best way to get the bees away from your home.
Tips on preventing wasps
As mentioned above, wasps are scavenger-like predators that eat leftover food and smaller insects. You can prevent wasps from nesting on your property by making some changes to the way you handle food and drink outdoors.
Do not leave fallen fruit, food scraps, or leftover pet food out in your garden. Keep your rubbish and compost bins tightly fitted with the proper lids and cover exposed food if you are having a picnic or barbeque. You should also try to keep the doors and windows shut to avoid wasps from entering into your house, or get special screens fitted.
If you have a wasp or bee problem on your property, do not wait around before getting the professional treatment required – get in touch with an exterminator as quickly as possible. Here at Positive Pest Solutions, we have a team of professional wasp and bee exterminators equipped with the right skills and experience to assist you. Get in touch with us to find out more today.
