Often there are problems we don’t really think about unless they directly affect us.  If you’re walking down the street or wandering around the backyard you can encounter the occasional bee or wasp, have a minor irrational outbreak of stress, then move on. Bees are quite the common fear, and usually an irrational one, because in retrospect it’s rare to be stung.

However in the unlikely situation of being stung, that fear usually increases.  What is actually worse for the stress levels is when you find yourself with a worse problem than one bee or wasp, and that’s a whole nest of them. 

You always hear about nests, and may have stumbled across one out in the natural surrounds, but when it becomes an in- house problem, that’s when you start to wonder.  Most people will immediately call a pest control service, which is the common solution. However it’s handy to know a few things before making any decisions, if only for your own information.

What’s the difference between a bee and a wasp?

This question isn’t as silly as it sounds. It’s actually amazing how little people know about how to tell the difference, without jumping to the conclusion that one is bigger than the other.  Without going into every single species of bee and wasp, there are some small things you can look for to find your intruder.  It’s also very handy to know the difference between these  insects because if you get stung, medical attention can vary.

I’m a Bee because…

– Smaller

-Mild natured (unless provoked)

-I am hairy

– I have a more full figure body

-I enjoy the flowers and nature, I pollinate.

-I’ll likely die after I sting you

I am a Wasp because…

– I am longer than my fellow Bee

-I often have a bad temper and am most likely to sting you

-I have leathery looking skin, with harsher black and yellow colours.

– I feed my babies fellow insects, I’m a carnivore.

-I’ll keep stinging after I sting you.

Hopefully these pictures can help you decifer whether your pest problem is one of the “bee” variety or the “wasp” category.  In terms of how to get rid of them, and whether you should, is quite a topical issue. 

Often people and professionals will advise you to leave the nest of bees, due to their usually docile manner and there pollination benefits.  Also, their nests are seasonal. Although this is still a personal choice, and if safety is a concern then it’s best to call a professional.  There is also the choice between killing the bees on removing them, or just having the nest moved.  Not all pest control companies will follow the same procedures. With wasps in most cases it is better to get the nest removed, due to their bad tempers and ability to stay strong after stinging. They pose much more risk to our safety.

In the end it’s probably better to talk to someone who knows how to inspect and judge the nest, as most people probably won’t be able to get past their fear of the thought.