Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Sneinton
You do not need to be an insect expert to get the right help. A few safe photographs and a clear description are enough for us to say whether we can treat it.
You only need to describe it
Many householders feel they should be certain before they pick up the phone. You do not need to be. A calm description of what you have seen is usually enough, and we would rather hear from someone who is unsure than from someone who has waited until the problem has grown.
The aim is to give enough detail to tell wasps from bees and to plan any visit. Here is how to gather it safely.
A word on timing. If the activity has built up over several days, say so, and say whether the insects seem to be more numerous each time you look. That is a classic sign of a growing nest. A one-off sighting of a single insect is much less informative.
Finally, avoid the temptation to confirm your identification by catching an insect. A jar or a swat can end in a sting, and a photograph will do the job better.
Taking a useful photograph
Safety comes first. Never go closer to a nest to get a better picture. Use the zoom on your phone and shoot from a distance, ideally from indoors or from behind a window.
- A close-up of a single insect resting on a leaf, window or wall, if one is available.
- A wider shot showing the entrance and what surrounds it: wall, roof edge, hedge or soil.
- A photograph of any visible nest material, from a distance.
- A short video of the flight path, again from far away.
If you cannot get a clear picture, do not worry. A written note will do.
What to say about the insects
Describe what you see in plain terms. Is the body slim with a narrow waist, glossy and hairless, or round and furry? Is it bright yellow and black, or golden-brown? Is it flying fast and darting, or moving slowly from flower to flower?
Mention where they land. Wasps will sit on food, drinks and bins. Bees will be on flowers. Mention too whether the insects are carrying anything, such as yellow pollen on their legs.
Write your notes down before you ring, because it is easy to forget the details once you are on the phone. A few lines on the insect, the entrance, the height, the date you first noticed activity and any allergy in the household is plenty. Having it ready means the call is short and nothing important is missed, and it means we can give you a clear answer straight away.
Think about video as well as photographs. A ten-second clip taken from a window can show the pace and pattern of the flight, and whether insects are heading for the same spot. That is often more helpful than a still picture, in which a flying insect is just a blur.
If you can only manage one photograph, make it a wide shot of the building or garden with the entrance in view. A close-up of the insect is helpful, but we can usually get the picture from your description. It is harder to guess where an entrance is if all you have is a blurred wasp.
Do not worry if your picture is imperfect. People who send us a smudged photo and a clear description are in a better position than people who send a sharp photo and no context.
Send or keep these pictures to hand for the phone call. If you book a visit, the technician may find them useful on the day too.
What to say about the location
Location details help us plan, whether the answer is a visit or a referral.
- Where the insects enter and leave: roof edge, wall, chimney, tree, shed or ground.
- Roughly how high above the ground it is.
- How long you have noticed the activity, and whether it has increased.
- Whether children, pets or anyone with a sting allergy use the area.
- Whether it is a house, a shop or other business premises.
If you are not sure whether it is a wasp nest, say so. We will help you work out the likelihood.
Information worth having to hand
Beyond the insects and location, a few practical facts make the booking quicker.
- Your address and a contact number where we can reach you on the day.
- Whether anyone will be home, and how access works for side gates or garages.
- Whether the nest is on your property or a neighbour’s.
- If it is a business, who has authority to agree the work.
- Any allergies in the household.
If you rent your home, check your tenancy agreement or ask your landlord or agent who arranges pest work. That depends on the agreement, and we cannot advise on it.
None of this needs to be perfect. If you only have part of the picture, ring anyway. It is better to start the conversation than to hold off until the full details are known.
What happens next
If it sounds like wasps, we can book a visit. One nest is a fixed £95 a nest, and each further nest on the same property is £35 a nest. The price is confirmed over the phone first, and we do no work until you agree. There is no call-out charge, and we offer same-day service seven days a week to homes and businesses in Sneinton and the surrounding area.
If it sounds like honeybees or bumblebees, we will say so honestly, and suggest you contact a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation. We treat wasps, not bees or hornets. The technicians are trained, and the work is fully insured. Ring 0115 937 5117 or use the form on the contact page.
Wasps on your property in Sneinton?
Fixed price £95 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.