Wasps vs Bees – How to Identify Them Before Arranging Pest Control in Upper Longford
A sting can be the first sign of a nest, and what happened afterwards can help you work out whether you were stung by a wasp or a bee.
What the sting tells you
Many people come to us after being stung, not after seeing a nest. If you did not see the insect, there are some clues in what followed.
A honeybee generally leaves its sting behind in the skin, and the bee dies shortly afterwards. A wasp can sting more than once and does not usually leave a sting in place. If you see a tiny barbed point in the skin, a honeybee is the likelier culprit.
This is useful if you are in Upper Longford or anywhere else and are trying to decide whether the problem is a wasp nest near the house.
It is also worth telling your household what a sting looks like, so that nobody is surprised if one occurs.
Keep in mind that a sting alone does not tell you everything. Both wasps and bees sting when they feel threatened, so the context of the sting matters more than the sting itself.
First aid at home
Move away from the area. Wash the sting with water, remove the sting if you can see it, and hold a cold pack against the site. Keep an eye on how the person feels over the following hours.
Call 999 if there are signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling around the face, lips or throat, a wheeze, trouble breathing, feeling dizzy, or a rash spreading over the body.
Anyone with a known allergy should speak to their GP. We cannot give medical advice beyond this general guidance.
Do not use home remedies that involve scratching or squeezing the area, as this can make it worse.
Pain, redness and mild swelling around the site are common and usually ease within a day or two. If the swelling is spreading widely or the area feels hot, consider speaking to a pharmacist or your GP.
Sting in the mouth or throat is more serious, because swelling can interfere with breathing. Seek urgent help straight away if that happens.
Where were you stung
The location often points to the source. A sting in the garden near a hedge, shed or bank may suggest a nest nearby. A sting near flowers is more likely to be from a bee. A sting while eating outdoors is more likely from a wasp drawn to food and drink.
Several stings in a short time, especially near one spot, suggest you have disturbed a nest. Move away at once and keep others away from the place.
Note where it happened and what you were doing. Mowing, pruning and moving stored items are common triggers.
If you are stung by several insects, treat the situation seriously and seek help if you feel unwell.
A sting while you were asleep or indoors suggests insects may already be inside, in which case note the room and look for entry points at a distance.
Telling the insects apart afterwards
Once you feel better, look from a safe distance. Wasps are slim, glossy and sharply banded with a narrow waist. Honeybees are golden-brown, a little hairy and rounder. Bumblebees are large, round and very furry.
- Repeated traffic to one hole or gap points to a nest.
- A papery grey structure under eaves or in a bush points to wasps.
- Insects on flowers carrying pollen point to bees.
Do not go back to check the exact spot. Bees should be left to a local beekeeper or a bee organisation, and a wasp nest is something to leave to a professional.
If someone in the home has already been stung once, it is sensible to book promptly, because the nest is probably close to where people go.
Take a photograph of any insect that is still on the skin or nearby only if it is safe to do so, and otherwise rely on description.
Reducing the chance of stings
Prevention is largely a matter of avoiding the situations that lead to stings. Check before you pick up drinks left outside, and look before you reach into hedges, sheds and under plant pots. Wear shoes outdoors, because wasps and bees alike can be stepped on in grass.
If an insect lands on you, stay still or brush it away gently rather than swatting. A calm approach is far less likely to provoke a sting.
When gardening, be careful with hedge trimmers, strimmers and mowers near hedges, banks and the bases of trees. These are the activities that most often disturb a nest. If you notice insects pouring out as you work, stop at once and walk away.
Keep a first-aid kit with a cold pack handy at home, and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. If anyone has a known allergy, make sure that they and the people around them understand what to do.
Say plainly if the sting happened at the property you are booking for, and give the location of the incident if you can.
Allergy and booking
If you or someone in your household is allergic to stings, tell us when you book so the booking can be prioritised. We do not promise a particular response time, but we do take it seriously.
Treatment is a fixed £80 per nest with one visit guaranteed, and an extra nest on the same property is £40 extra. There is no call-out charge, we work seven days a week, and same-day service is offered. Insurance and qualifications are in place for the technician.
The number is 07916 322 280, and the online booking form works too. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
We cannot comment on a person’s medical situation, so speak to your GP if you have concerns.
Wasps on your property in Upper Longford?
Fixed price £80 per nest, no call-out charge, same-day service available.