Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Farndon
Several harmless insects wear wasp stripes, and a few big ones look scarier than they are, so a careful look can prevent a needless worry.
Stripes do not make a wasp
Yellow and black is nature’s warning colour, and plenty of insects borrow it. Some do so because they are genuinely stinging relatives. Others are simply harmless copycats that gain protection from predators by looking like something unpleasant.
That means you can be frightened by something that poses no danger, or reassured by something that does. A little knowledge helps you decide when to worry.
There is a practical side to getting this right. Calling a pest controller about a hoverfly wastes your time, while treating a honeybee colony as a pest does real harm to a useful insect. A minute of careful looking, from a safe distance, avoids both mistakes and gets you to the right person first time.
If you are uncertain, the safest course is to keep your distance and gather information rather than acting.
Hoverflies
Hoverflies are the best-known wasp mimics. They have yellow and black bands on the abdomen and are often seen around flowers. But they are flies, not wasps or bees, and they cannot sting.
- They have only one pair of wings, not two.
- They have large eyes, short antennae and no pinched waist.
- They hover in the air, hanging in one place before darting off.
- They land on flowers and sip nectar, and are often found in gardens.
If an insect holds itself still in mid-air near a flower, it is most likely a hoverfly. They are good for the garden, since the larvae of many species eat aphids and some adults pollinate.
Other lookalikes
A few more insects cause confusion. Some sawflies and beetles have stripes. Social wasps have several relatives, some solitary, which nest in tunnels and rarely bother people. Large wasp queens in spring can look alarmingly big.
Bumblebees sometimes get called hornets because of their size, but they are rounder and furrier. A hornet is a large relative of the wasp, with a more reddish-brown body, and is a separate matter. We treat wasps and do not treat hornets, so if you believe you have one, describe it honestly and we will tell you what we can and cannot do.
Take a close look at the wings if you can. Wasps and bees have four wings, though they look like two pairs joined together in flight. Flies, including hoverflies, have only two visible wings and a pair of tiny balancing organs behind them. That is hard to see from a distance, but it is a handy test on a photograph.
Another clue is the antennae. Wasps and bees have noticeable, elbowed antennae. Hoverflies have very short ones. A zoomed photograph of an insect on a window or wall can reveal these details.
Do not worry if you cannot tell. The most helpful thing is to note the behaviour: where it goes, what it does, and whether it comes back.
Checks that separate a wasp
Run through a short list before you decide.
- A narrow, pinched waist and a smooth, shiny, hairless body.
- Two pairs of wings folded along the body when resting.
- A restless search for food, drink and bins.
- A flight path to a hole or gap, with traffic both ways.
- Chewed wood fibre or grey papery material near the entrance.
If most of these apply, wasps are likely. If the insect hovers motionless, has big eyes and visits flowers, think hoverfly.
A few more tips may prevent a false alarm. Keep a note of the time of day, since hoverflies and bees tend to follow the sun and flowers, while wasps at a nest are active all day. Pay attention to whether the insects settle: hoverflies and bees land on flowers for a while, whereas wasps hunting for food keep moving.
Try not to rely on a single feature. A narrow waist, shiny body, restless flight and a flight path to a gap together make a strong case for wasps. One feature alone, such as stripes, proves little.
When in doubt, ask. A short call costs nothing, and describing what you see is all it takes.
What honeybees and bumblebees need from you
Because wasps and bees get mixed up so often, it is worth saying that bees do not need to be treated. Honeybees and bumblebees are valuable pollinators. If you have a colony in a place where it causes trouble, contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation for advice.
Please do not block entrances, pour anything into holes, or try to remove them yourself. This may harm the bees and could make them more defensive.
Calling about wasps in Farndon
If your checks point to wasps and there is a nest nearby, we can help. Treatment is a fixed £95 for one nest, with £35 for any additional nest on the same property, confirmed on the phone before the visit. No work starts without your agreement, and there is no call-out charge.
We offer same-day service seven days a week for homes and businesses, with a trained, fully insured technician. Ring 0115 937 5117 or use the contact page booking form. If a family member is allergic to wasp stings, tell us at the time of booking.
If the insect turns out to be a hoverfly or another harmless visitor, there is nothing to book, and you can enjoy having it in the garden. If it turns out to be wasps, the sooner you ring the easier it will be, because the colony grows through the summer. Either way, a calm look first is time well spent.
When you do call, mention the features you noticed, such as the waist, the colour, the wings and the behaviour. It gives us a clear picture.
Wasps on your property in Farndon?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.