Pest emergency? Call 01482 873424
Read our Google reviews
At Viking Pest Control we know Wasps and Bees form an integral part of our eco system and do a huge amount of important work in the great outdoors, both Wasps and Bees are important pollinators.
Unfortunately sometimes they can make their way into our homes or places of work where they can come into conflict with humans, posing a danger to people and buildings, this is where Viking Pest Control can help.
In the UK there some 9,000 different types of Wasp, however; of these Wasps the majority are microscopic and only 250 have the size and ability to sting.
The majority of these 250 are solitary wasps with only 9 being what we describe as Social Wasps, those been the Wasps which form large colonies and build nests, 2 of these species are the most common and recognisable as the pests we experience in the summer.
The German Wasp and the Common Wasp.
German Wasp (Vespula germanica) can be more aggressive than the Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris).
These two species of wasp look very alike in appearance, however you can tell them apart by their abdomen and facial markings, the German Wasp has black facial dots, this differs to the ‘anchor’ shape black facial mark that the Common Wasp has.
German Wasps also have distinctive black dots on the abdomen while these often are unnoticeable on the Common Wasp.
Towards the end of the summer Wasp nests are at maximum capacity, with lots of adults and few larvae. This means that there will be lots of wasps visible, but this also affects what food they look for.
While there are lots of larvae adults feed on nectar and the larvae are fed on insects, however; with fewer larvae at the end of summer the adults don’t need to look for as many protein rich insects, but do need more sugars and carbohydrates.
It’s because of this need for carbohydrates Wasps might be more inclined to go for your sandwiches rather than your jam this month.
Therefore it is important to understand this behaviour and physiology of a Wasp colony to ensure effective control and trapping throughout the year.
Wherever possible we avoid using dangerous poisons, reducing the risk to both people in your home/place of work and the environment. With this approach we are also able to rehome the wasp colony letting it live out its natural life and carry on its good work for the environment.
When we are not able to access a Wasp nest we may need to apply a controlled poison, if we do, you can be sure that we use the most effective method to deal with your Wasp Nest, while ensuring your safety and providing an efficient, speedy 100% guaranteed effective solution to your Wasp Nest problem.
We can also provide the perfect lure/trap for any Wasp situation. Lures can be placed in outside areas where it may be necessary to divert wasp activity away from certain areas in order to protect your clientele.
Although not commonly considered a pest species Bees can become problematic to humans and buildings when they build their colonies in a place where conflict can arise.
Some people are allergic to Bee stings, and Honey Bees can have the potential to cause damage to the fabric of buildings, so to help protect you and the Bees, Viking Pest Control have a range of options available.
In the UK there are more than 250 species of Bee, much like Wasps the vast majority of these are solitary insects, although more Bees than Wasps build social colonies with 24 species of Bumblebee throughout the UK and our well loved Honey Bee building a social colony structure.
Not to be confused with Wasps identification of your Bees is key to helping learn the best course of action to take. Our below guide may help you, but if in any doubt whatsoever call Viking Pest Control.
If your Bees look large (1cm-3cm in length), are roundish in shape and hairy with an orange, yellow or white band on their tail they are probably one of our 24 Bumblebee species. Bumblebees often like to make their homes in bird boxes, loft insulation and between timbers. Bumblebee nests look orange in colour and are shaped like clusters of eggs.
Bumblebees are a declining species and are best left alone to live out their lives until the colony dies off in the late summer/early autumn, when next years emerging queens will fly the nest and hibernate underground over winter before emerging in the spring and starting a colony of their own.
If you are concerned that you have a Bumblebee colony which might be in danger or pose a significant risk to the public Viking Pest Control can help. We have successfully relocated many Bumble Bee colonies which have been at risk and allowed them to continue their valuable work over the spring and summer months.
If your Bees are smaller than a Bumblebee (0.5cm- 2cm in length) but are still roundish and hairy then they might be one of the many UK species of solitary Bee.
Many species of Solitary Bee like to make their homes in small holes in brickwork, mortar, soil or timber where they will create chambers in which to lay an egg before capping off the chamber.
Solitary Bees can group in numbers around a nesting site but will not create a social colony. Solitary bees should be left alone to go about their important work.
If your Bees are golden in colour and gathered in large quantities this may be a Honey Bee colony. Honey Bees are generally slender, between 1cm-2cm and gather in their thousands forming huge clumps on trees and buildings.
In recent years Honey Bees have begun to exploit holes in buildings and will build their honeycomb structures in cavity walls, lofts and voids. When this happens Viking Pest Control can help.
If your Honey Bee colony/swarm is accessible it is always advisable to call your local Beekeeper Association who Viking Pest Control are happy to work with, however if your colony becomes inaccessible to the Beekeeper Association Viking Pest Control have a range of options available to protect both the Bees, your property and the public.
At Viking Pest Control we work with local Beekeeper Associations to help collect, protect and rehome Honey Bee colonies. Remember if you are in any doubt please call Viking Pest Control and we will be able to offer free, helpful and friendly advice.
Call or email our team today to get free expert advice and request a quote for your pest problem.
In a short space of time we'll visit your property and carry out the necessary work to solve your problem.
Find peace of mind in the knowledge that everything has been taken care of by our expert technicians.
Our team of pest control specialists are on hand to provide free expert help and advice. You can call us on 01482 873424, submit the contact form below to request a free quote, or email us at info@vikingpestcontroluk.com
