Having Problems with Bees?

Please Note: The first thing to do if you suspect you have a swarm is to find out if they are honeybees or something else! Honeybee swarms are not as common as bumblebee or wasp's nests are. Our Bee Control Officer can only help with swarms of honeybees, if you are having a problem with one of the other species please use the information and advice below.

Swarms - If you are sure a swarm of honeybees has taken up residence, then please contact our Bee Control Officer, who will advise you.

How to identify what you have found:

The first question is - are they Bees or Wasps? It might seem a silly question but Honeybees are regularly mistaken for Wasps, some people even think they are the same thing! Only honeybees swarm. Most people know what a Bumblebee looks like and and are generally familiar with Wasps. Honeybees are about the same size as a Wasp. The pictures on the right show the distinct differences, there are descriptions below.

Bumblebees are much bigger, rounder and visibly furry, and come in a variety of colours see the (identification guide, NHM Guide). They are fairly common in gardens throughout the UK during the whole summer, and often build a nest in a compost heap, composter bin, under the garden shed and other warm dry places. Their behaviour is much like the honeybee - docile, not at all aggressive,and only become angry when they or their nest is physically attacked.

Some Useful Questions and Answers:

Q. I have a nest of bumblebees in the garden and I want rid of them. How do I kill them?

A. Please don't! Bumblebees are one of our wild insects that occur naturally throughout the country and are hugely important pollinators. Unfortunately, due to loss of habitat and the prevalence of pesticide use, their numbers are decreasing and some species are already under severe threat of extinction and are already protected. If you intentionally and recklessly destroy the nest of a protected species you may well find yourself on the wrong side of the law!

Bumblebees are rarely in any way aggressive, and will only sting if you provoke them severely by disturbing the nest. The nest is seasonal, and dies out naturally once the new generation of queen bumblebees has been reared towards the end of the summer. The queens go off to hibernate in a dry hole somewhere, and the remaining workers in the nest die by the end of October. It will be in order for you to remove the nest from your shed or compost heap then. In the meantime, consider yourself lucky and privileged to have them nesting in your garden, and develop a sense of responsibility in helping protect our natural heritage.
To find out more about Bumble Bees click here

Q. I have a wasps nest in my property, should I get rid of it myself?

A. Please don't! Unless the nest poses a danger to children or pets. Wasps do a great deal of help in the garden and countryside by consuming large numbers of caterpillars, aphids and other plant pests. It may be safer in fact to leave the nest alone, unless it is already causing a nuisance. If you MUST get rid of it, use the services of a qualified Pest Control specialist. Please do NOT use 'DIY' remedies such as flammable liquids. You will probably fail to remove the nest, and may end up injuring yourself, and damaging your home and property.

Wasps around the home are attracted to the smell of the sweet things that humans enjoy, and often buzz around kitchen windows and waste bins looking for an easy feed. Some simple measures can reduce the occurence of wasps around your property. Consider how you store and dispose of sweet things like jam jars, juice containers and food stuffs. Clean or wrap containers them before putting in the bin. Keep your bins well cleaned.
To find out more about Wasps click here

Remember our Bee Control Officer can only help with swarms of honeybees, not wasps or bumblebees!

If you can't find the information you need here, try the forum