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 MoreWASPS AND HONEY BEES
As the summer period progresses and autumn rapidly approaches, wasps can become more of a problem, not only to humans, but to the general bee population as well. There are six species of wasp in the United Kingdom that could cause serious problems for bees and these include the common wasp, the German wasp and the European hornet. Their respective nests can be found in trees, shrubs, hedges, underground and in many cases human properties! This year, so far, has seen a dramatic increase in the number of nests found in general houses, outbuildings, such as sheds or garages and even in...
Read MoreWHAT IS THAT INSECT?
The collection of pictures below can be used to help identify what insect you have come into contact with: Bumblebees – Larger than the honeybee and other bees, always furry, the common ones usually have tails that are either white, red, buff or brown and some have yellow bands. Honeybee and solitary bees – Smaller than bumblebees, they can vary in colour from all-black to orange bands – can easily be mistaken for wasps. Hoverflies and...
Read MoreA Bee in my Bonnet.
Calls are literally flooding in for wasps and bees at the moment, the “season” is in full swing with multiple conflictions between man and insects! The majority of calls at the moment are for Bumble Bees which are invading properties of all types from houses, mobile homes, caravans, sheds and even bird boxes! Bumble Bees are not really classed as a pest and are in fact a useful commodity, as they pollinate plants and flowers. In most cases that I have seen lately, they are White-Tailed Bumble Bees and most have been picking vulnerable locations at higher levels. When they enter a property...
Read MoreIS IT A BEE, HORNET OR A WASP?
With the warmer weather that is now with us, the calls for help regarding Bees and Wasps have dramatically increased over the past couple of weeks and are likely to continue until the end of the season. With many different types of insects involved identification can be confusing, so here is a little help! There are 24 species of Bumble Bees in the United Kingdom and 225 species of solitary bees, but only 1 species of Honey Bee. There are also 8 species of Wasps. Confused? The general rule is to leave alone until you are sure what you...
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