Bees, wasps and hornets
Bees
Bee swarms may seem dramatic but they are a natural process. When too many bees occupy a hive, a queen might decide to leave with some of her subjects to form a new colony elsewhere.
When left alone swarms are harmless and will settle into a cluster to wait for the scout bees to signal they have found a new home.
Bees should only be treated as pests where no other options for removal or relocation are available. Many native bee species are endangered, so most pest control companies will only treat bees if there is a significant danger or threat to human life.
If you encounter a problem with a swam of bees please contact the British Beekeepers Association who are usually able to remove swarms free of charge.
Find out more about controlling Bees.
Wasps
Wasps usually nest in the natural environment and are important natural pest controllers themselves. Though where possible they should be left alone, if nests are near places people frequent they can become a problem.
A sting from a wasp can be painful, and unlike bees the same wasp can sting multiple times. Wasp stings are not usually serious unless an allergy is present. In circumstances of any unexpected allergic reaction, medical advice should be sought as soon as possible.
Nuisance wasp nests can be effectively and quickly treated with insecticide. We recommend professional pest control services for where removal is needed as wasps can be extremely aggressive when defending a nest.
Hornets
Hornets are part of the wasp family and behave very similarly. They are about double the size of the common wasp, and usually build nests in hollow trees and similar natural sites. It is rare they enter buildings.
As with wasps, in most cases they should be left alone if they pose no significant risk. However if needed, Hornet nests can be treated in a similar way to wasps.