Bee Hives and Wasp Nests – Know the Difference

WaspAlthough bees and wasps may seem like they are very similar, they are vastly different. Where you find their nests and how you get rid of them can vary greatly. If you are going to get rid of your pest issues, you will need to know how to determine the difference so that proper removal can be completed.

Bee HiveBee hives tend to be located in trees. They tend to have the honey comb look. These hives can also be located in any other type of crevice, either in rocks, a trees, or a space in your home. Bees will make their nests wherever they see fit for their hive.

Wasp nests tend to be in the soil or near flower beds. This is the most common place but really, wasps can build their nests almost anywhere. They may even be in your attic. They can also be located in trees. It really depends on the species of wasp. If you can identify the species, you can narrow down your search for the nest. The nests are paper like but sometimes they are made of wood.

Wasp Nest

Wasp nests can be removed in a number of ways. First, you should understand that wasps are very aggressive so before you attempt to remove the nest, you need to put on some protective clothing. Wasps are known to sting multiple times and the sting can hurt. If the nest is too high to get or if you would rather have someone else do it, always call a professional. If you want to do it at home on your own, there are a few methods to try. You can use a pesticide purchased in a store. If the nest is in the ground, a dust will work better than the stray. You can also use soap and water to pour into the nest or spray it down. The solution will make the wasps immobile. If you have a safe location to build a fire, you can use smoke to remove them. This will cause them to abandon the nest. If you have access to a shop vac, you can use the device to suck them into the machine and keep soap and water in the bottom so the wasps are removed efficiently.

If you have a bees nest, they have to be removed and not destroyed. In this case, you will either need to call a beekeeper or a stinging insect control company.

Bee hive in sweet springs photo by devra, used under CC BY 2.0
Paper wasp nest photo by liz west, used under CC BY 2.0