It's that time of year again. We all look forward to Summer, but Summer brings numerous insects. Some good, some not so good. Fear not, although Queen Wasps are waking from hibernation it will be at least a month before we see the very first nests appearing.
We are getting many calls regarding other insects that we won't kill if it can be helped. Some insects do have a nasty sting, but are generally placid and don't pose a danger, but many people do confuse them with the more vicious wasp. Honey bees don't hibernate. They overwinter, feeding off their stored honey and come out far earlier than the wasp. Very placid but will protect themselves, their queen and their nest so try not to disturb them.
Honey Bees are everywhere at the moment happily pollinating as are Bumblebees and Ground Bees. Bumblebees are the chubby cousins in the bee world. Generally very placid, but, like the honeybee will protect their nest if you get too close. Also great pollinators.
Ground bees can be unsettling as you can have hundreds hovering above a garden, but their sting can't hurt us. (if you are anaphylactic you can still suffer a reaction so have to be very careful.) If you have ground bees here are some tips to deter them. Try and cover the nesting holes. Blocking access to the nesting holes is a safer and better solution than using chemicals.
Wet the soil (soapy water is even more of a deterrent). Ground bees burrow their nests in dry soil. Sprinkle cinnamon. Not an old wives tale this one. They love a sugary treat but are adverse to cinnamon. Vinegar spray will also keep them at bay without harming them.
Wasps and hornets are, as always the ones to worry about as they are more likely to attack and sting unnecessarily. As we said earlier Queen wasps and hornets are waking from hibernation, but they don't re-inhabit old nests. They always start from scratch with a single mouthful of wood stuck to a surface with their saliva. After about a month of hard work the queen will have built a golf ball sized nest and will then start to lay the first eggs. The nests will then rapidly grow throughout the Summer before naturally dying off as winter falls. Even the dreaded wasp should be left alone if it's not a threat as they are a natural insecticide and are known as the farmer and gardeners friend as they eat other insects and aphids that destroy crops and garden flowers.
Hornets are just a large wasp, but their sting is far more painful.
Save The Wasp Guys phone number 01432 507300 or 07761 232470
We're only a small family company but are always happy to answer any questions you may have and offer advice as best we can. The Wasp Guys are here to eradicate wasp and hornet nests at a fraction of the price of big companies, but, where possible we prefer to see all bees left to flourish.