Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Milton Keynes
Knowing which insects are active in each season helps you identify what you are seeing, and gives a sense of when a wasp nest becomes a concern.
The year in insects
Wasps and bees do not keep the same calendar. Seeing which is likely to be active at a given time of year is an extra clue, alongside body shape, colour and behaviour.
For households and businesses in Milton Keynes, in Buckinghamshire, the following calendar is a general guide. Weather moves everything about, so treat it as a rough outline rather than a fixed timetable.
If what you see does not match, do not worry. The seasons are a supporting clue, never a deciding one.
Seasonal knowledge is especially helpful when you only catch a brief glimpse. If you cannot study the insect, you can at least ask what you would expect to see at that time of year.
Early spring
The first insects on the wing are often bees, especially bumblebees, which visit early blossoms and look for nesting spots. A large, furry bumblebee flying low over the ground in spring is often just searching for somewhere to nest.
Wasps are also stirring. Nest building begins in early April, depending on the weather and how mild the spring is. At this stage there are very few wasps, and a young nest is easy to miss.
A single large insect in early spring is therefore more likely a bumblebee than a wasp, although any such sighting is worth a second glance.
If you notice a lot of insects around early blossom, they are probably bees. If you notice a few worker wasps checking a wall, it is worth keeping watch.
Do not worry if you see something unexpected. A mild winter or an early warm spell can bring insects out sooner than the calendar suggests, and a late cold snap can hold them back. What matters is the combination of clues rather than the date itself.
Late spring and early summer
Flowers are at their peak, and so are bees. Honeybees and bumblebees can be seen on lavender, fruit blossom, clover and borders. Bees at this stage are busy and relaxed.
Wasp nests are now establishing and expanding. Wasps in the garden are becoming more frequent, and a steady flight line to one spot becomes noticeable. This is a good moment to look for a nest, since the colony is still small.
Treatment at this stage is a fixed £70 per nest, the same as at any time, but the colony is easier to handle.
As the days lengthen, so does the time insects spend in flight. Early evening can be a good time for watching, as the nest sends its last foragers home.
High summer and August
By August, a wasp colony reaches its peak, and a nest can contain as many as 2,000 wasps. The insects are more noticeable than at any other time, and they are drawn to picnics, drinks and bins in large numbers.
Bees are still about, but the atmosphere changes. More wasps appear at meal times, and people begin to complain. If a sleek, striped insect is bothering you at the table, it is a wasp.
- Expect more wasps indoors and at windows.
- Expect more interest in sweet food and drink.
- Be careful around any nest, as defensive behaviour is at its highest.
If a nest is confirmed, same-day service is available and the price remains fixed.
It is worth stressing that August is the peak and not the end. A nest does not vanish on the first of September. Take sensible care through early autumn too.
Garden parties, school holidays and bank holiday barbecues often coincide with peak wasp numbers. If a nest is known to be nearby, have it dealt with before the event rather than during it. Same-day service exists for emergencies, but planning ahead is calmer.
Autumn and winter
As the weather cools, activity drops. You may still see wasps in early autumn, often looking rather sluggish, and bees become less visible as flowers fade.
This is the quietest time of year for identification questions. It is also a good moment to think about next year, by checking eaves, sheds and outbuildings for signs of last year’s nests and making a note to look again in early April.
If you have a concern about bees in a roof or wall, a local beekeeper or the relevant bee organisation can advise. We do not treat bees.
For a business with outdoor space, a spring check each year is a good habit to set up. Put it in the calendar for early April.
Gutters, loft hatches and the undersides of garden furniture are sensible places to glance at in the quiet months, when there is nothing to disturb. A tidy-up now makes the spring look easier.
What to do now
Match what you see with the season, then use shape, colour and behaviour to confirm. If it looks like wasps, do not approach the nest, and keep children and pets away.
Treatment costs a fixed £70 for each nest, plus £30 for every additional nest at the same property, and there is no call-out charge. The price is confirmed by phone before the visit, and special access equipment might mean a higher price. No work is done without your agreement.
Book through the online form or contact page, or phone 07852 111 437. We are open seven days a week, with same-day service and evening and weekend appointments for homes and businesses. If anyone is allergic to stings, tell us so the booking can be prioritised.
If you are unsure about the season or the insect, describe what you can see, and we will help you place it.
Wasps on your property in Milton Keynes?
Fixed price £70 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.