Wasp Nest in a Hedge or Bush – What Tyersal Garden Owners Should Know
Not every insect colony in a hedge or bush is a wasp nest, and knowing the difference prevents the wrong call and protects the bees that are not a problem.
Identify first, then decide
Before arranging treatment, make sure the insects in your hedge or bush really are wasps. We treat wasp nests, and do not treat bees, hornets or other pests. Honeybees and bumblebees are quite different, and in the case of bees the right contact is a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation.
Mistakes are easy to make. A bumblebee colony near the base of a hedge can look a lot like a wasp nest to a worried gardener, with insects flying in and out of a hole in the ground. A swarm of honeybees hanging from a branch can look alarming, but it is not a wasp nest.
A few minutes of careful watching from a distance usually tells you which you have.
What to look for in the insects
Compare what you can see, from a safe distance.
- Wasps are slim and sleek with bright yellow and black bands and a narrow waist. They look smooth, almost shiny.
- Bumblebees are round, furry and fat, often with a soft-looking coat and a slow, bumbling flight.
- Honeybees are smaller, brownish and slightly hairy, and are rarely seen in the ground.
- Wasps dart quickly and are drawn to sweet food and drinks, while bees mostly visit flowers.
- Wasps in numbers often go to one hole or gap in a stream, with a busy, purposeful look.
A binocular or a zoomed phone photo helps. Do not move closer to compare.
What the nest tells you
A wasp nest is made of grey or tan paper, chewed from wood fibre, and is built in layers like a ball. You are unlikely to see it, but you may spot it through a gap or after the leaves fall.
Bumblebee nests tend to be smaller and are often hidden in long grass, old burrows or compost. There is usually less traffic, and the bees are less keen to defend it.
If you are really unsure, describe what you have seen when you ring. We will ask a few questions and tell you honestly whether it sounds like wasps. If it clearly sounds like bees, we will say so and point you towards a beekeeper or bee organisation instead.
Why it matters
Bees are in decline in many places and are valuable pollinators, so there is no reason to disturb a bumblebee nest that is not causing harm. Many are only active for a season and will be gone on their own.
Wasps, on the other hand, can build to thousands of insects by August and can sting repeatedly when threatened. If they are close to the house, children or a regularly used path, it makes sense to act.
Either way, the same safety rules apply to the hedge. Stay back, do not cut into the plant, and do not block holes or pour anything in. Disturbing any colony can lead to stings.
Anyone stung should move away, wash the area, take out the sting if visible and use a cold pack. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing, dizziness or a widespread rash require a 999 call. People with known allergies should speak to their GP, and please let us know at booking if anyone in the household is allergic.
Other things that get mistaken for a wasp nest
There are other explanations for a cluster of insects at a hedge, and it helps to rule them out. Hoverflies often look like small wasps, but they hover in the air and do not sting. Mining bees, which dig little holes in bare soil, may leave a patch that looks like a wasp entrance. A cluster of aphids with ants moving among them can look busy from a distance.
The key difference is organised traffic. A wasp nest gives you a steady stream to and from one opening, and the insects move with purpose. Other insects wander, hover and feed on flowers.
Another clue is the time of year. A huge amount of wasp traffic in early spring is unusual, whereas by late summer wasps become very obvious and bold around food and drink.
If your observations point towards wasps, there is no need to be certain about the species. A short description over the phone is enough, and we will tell you if it sounds like something else.
If it is wasps, here is the process
For wasps, Wasp Exterminator Leeds charges a fixed £90 per nest, and £35 for each extra nest on the same property. We do not charge a call-out fee, we open seven days a week and can often offer same-day service. We cover Tyersal and the surrounding area for domestic and commercial customers, with trained technicians and fully insured work.
Use the number 0113 347 0014 to book by phone, or the contact page form if you prefer to do it online. The price is confirmed over the phone first, and nothing is done until you agree. Describe where the insects are and what you have seen, and we will take it from there. If you would like the empty nest removed afterwards, ask at booking whether that is possible.
Take a photograph from a safe distance if you can, using the zoom rather than moving closer. A clear picture of the insects at the entrance, along with a note of the time of day and how many you could see, makes it much easier to tell what you have. Avoid using flash or standing directly in front of the entrance, and stop at once if the insects start to take an interest in you.
If the photograph shows slim, yellow and black insects going into a hole or gap, that is enough to go on. If it shows large, furry, slow-flying bees, you probably do not need a wasp technician at all, and leaving them alone is often the best option.
Wasps on your property in Tyersal?
Fixed price £90 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.