Advice to Householders - Bees & Wasps
Characteristics
The common wasps are about 14mm long and
brightly banded in yellow and black, whilst the Hornet which is the
least aggressive of all the wasps is larger and marked in yellow
and brown.
Behaviour
WASPS - Wasps are generally social & live in colonies,
nests or hives. Some have the ovipositor adapted to stinging
whilst others can't sting. The workers can be seen in large numbers
causing problems in domestic and catering situations because of
their foraging habits, whilst collecting food to feed the
queen.
The queen wasp emerges from hibernation in the
spring and builds a round nest 2 - 3 inches in diameter from chewed
wood pulp. After the workers emerge from the pupae they carry
on building the nest.
The nest may contain several thousand wasps
and is often built below ground in a garden, in a roof space or
attic where the wasps may have considerable contact with
humans. It is late summer when wasps are a nuisance as they
go for ripe fruit, jams and other sweet substances. Each nest
lasts for one season, and is unlikely to be re-occupied.
BEES - The vast majority,
especially honey bees are in fact highly beneficial in their
role as pollinators, and measures should only be taken to control
them by removal of the nest from a domestic or dangerous
situation.
Life Cycle
The Queen lays the eggs
these hatch into pale grubs (fed on insects
caught by the queen)
After a few weeks these pupate
The adult workers emerge
Towards the end of the season new queens are
produced which form colonies for the following year and the rest of
the colony dies.
Control
Wasps - If a wasp nest
is in a position where it causes a nuisance, destruction of the
nest is the only satisfactory method of control. Nests can be
treated by using a wasps nest destroyer, which comes in a powder,
spray or foam treatment. If possible, control measures should
be carried out early morning or in the evening, when the
temperature is cooler and when the majority of the wasps will be in
the nest. After treatment it is likely wasps will swarm
around the area for a short length of time, before they
die.
FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY,
AND WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.
Suitable precautions should be taken when
treating the nest as the wasps will become aggressive when they are
disturbed.
It is possible to treat wasps nests yourself,
if they are no larger than the size of a tennis ball. If the
nest is bigger or if a nest is discovered in the roofspace or
attic, it is recommended to seek treatment from a
professional pest control contractor.
Honey Bees - Bees are
not classed as pests, as they are pollinators of fruit and flowers,
and should not be destroyed, unless they are in a place that is
causing a nuisance or a danger to humans or pets, and cannot be
collected by a bee keeper . If a nest of honey bees is
discovered, a local bee keeper should be contacted in the first
instance. Only as a last resort, should the nest be
destroyed. Honey bees often swarm, and can land on property.
They will usually move from the property within a few hours.
If this is not the case, contact a local bee keeper.
Proofing
It is advised that any holes around pipes,
cables etc should be filled in. Missing mortar on brickwork
should be repointed. Cover air vents using fine mesh
material. These measures will minimise the possibility of
wasps entering a property to build a nest.
Wasp Stings
The sting is caused by the injection of venom
into the victim by the ovipositor of the females. Unlike
bees, the sting can be withdrawn by the wasp. The venom is
haemolytic, haemorrhagic and neurotoxic. Histamine is also
present which causes the redness, flare and weal in the skin.
Wasp and bee stings around the throat may lead
to respiratory obstruction or may be directly toxic causing
faintness, respiratory difficulty, vomiting, diarrhoea and perhaps
urticaria. These symptoms are only likely to occur after a
mass attack. The main hazard is the risk of anaphylactic
shock arising from repeated stings. Symptoms may appear
rapidly and include respiratory distress, faintness, an itching
rash, swelling of the face and vomiting with abdominal pain, cramp
or diarrhoea. If these symptoms occur seek medical
attention.
Please be advised that we are not
responsible for any injury or damage caused where persons carry out
treatment themselves. Ensure you follow the manufacturers
instructions carefully when using any product.
If you require any further information
contact Environmental Health Department on 01229 876444 or
email pestcontrol@barrowbc.gov.uk