BEES AND WASP INFORMATION
Honey Bees Mainly kept by beekeepers, but can be found living wild. They are a similar size to a wasp but are overall darker in colour, ranging from black to tan coloured banding. Honey Bees always live in a colony with a queen bee in charge, in which, numbers could reach up to 20000 bees. Honey bees frequent gardens to collect pollen and nectar and require fluids to survive, often visiting ponds or other water sources to collect. If left alone, they are normally harmless but can cause panic when they swarm in large numbers and will sting to protect the queen. Honey bees are valuable to the...
Read MoreFAST FACTS – WASPS
A wasp can fly faster than a running human! If you try and swat a wasp, it will emit a pheromone which will attract other wasps. Only female wasps can sting and it is used as a way of defence. They can sting multiple times, unlike a bee that can only sting once. The two main species of wasp in the UK are Vespula vulgaris and Vespula germanica. The Queen wasps come out of hibernation, usually in early April to commence nest building. When the first batch of eggs hatch out and pupate into wasps, these will then support the Queen by bringing back food and continuing the nest building, allowing...
Read MoreSPOTLIGHT ON VERWOOD IN DORSET
Verwood is a town and parish found in Dorset and is situated 5 miles north west of Ringwood in Hampshire. The local river is called the Crane which eventually becomes the Moors river. The town is surrounded by both heathland and forest and also farm land. The heathland has always figured in the history of the town, providing clay and sand for pottery products and the natural ingredients for animal food and brushes. Agriculture has always played a large part as well. Being a larger town often attracts animals, insects and birds and this is certainly the case in Verwood due to its rural...
Read MoreAUTUMN IS HERE!
When you go outside, it may be unusually warm but do not be fooled, Autumn is here! The trees are rapidly changing in colour and the leaves are falling. All around there is frantic activity, with many insects and animals getting prepared for the inevitable colder weather that is just around the corner. Wasps and bees are still active feeding and along with other insects, are descending in large numbers on the flowering ivy that is currently in bloom. Calls for wasps nests are still coming in for treatment, both outside and inside properties and could continue for a while yet, depending on...
Read MoreSPOTLIGHT ON FERNDOWN – DORSET
Ferndown in Dorset is located north of Poole and Bournemouth and the parish includes Hampreston, Longham, Stapehill and Tricketts Cross and in terms of population, is the fifth largest town in Dorset. The town is surrounded by a mix of woodlands, open countryside and heathlands and on the borders are the Moors river and the river Stour. It also has one of the largest industrial estates in the area which is still being expanded. Several golf courses and various other sporting facilities exist along with several schools and a central shopping area. There are lots of open spaces where nature...
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