I have a bee or wasp nest at home. What should I do?

You’ve noticed some activity in your yard or around your shed and are wondering which insect has made its home on your property? You don’t want to get stung and you’re not quite sure how to handle the situation? We’ll try to answer some of your questions here.

What is the difference between a wasp, a bee, a hornet, and a bumblebee?

First of all, as you can see in the photo above, these insects look quite different.

There are their description from left to right

HONEY BEE

The honey bee is the one we raise. It is fairly small and covered with fine hairs over most of its body

BUMBLEBEE

The bumblebee is much larger than a honey bee and mostly lives alone. Its body is also hairy like that of a bee.

COMMON WASP

The common wasp is not hairy and has very distinctive yellow and black markings on its body. Also, as the expression suggests, they have a “wasp waist,” making them slimmer than bees. They become particularly active in late summer and fall in Quebec.

EUROPEAN HORNET

European hornets have been present in Quebec since 2004. However, it is still quite rare to encounter one here. As shown in the photo above, both the European hornet and the Asian hornet are much larger than other stinging insects found in Quebec.

ASIAN HORNET

This species of hornet, which has been devastating bee colonies around the world, is fortunately not currently present in Quebec. However, it has recently been observed in British Columbia.

Given this, it is very likely that what you have at home is either a wasp nest or, more rarely, a bee nest.

What is the difference between a bee nest and a wasp nest, and what should I do?

There are their description:

WASP NEST

The vast majority of nests that appear in our yards are wasp nests. They look like they are made of papier-mâché and are gray in color.

If the nest is located close to your home or in an area you frequently use, it is recommended to remove it while taking the necessary precautions. Wasp stings are painful, and a single wasp can sting multiple times. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself with the proper equipment and products, you can hire a specialized company.

If the nest is far from your home and does not pose a risk to you or your family, we recommend leaving it in place. Wasps are also important to our ecosystem, as they contribute to pollination and help control certain pest insects.

BEE NEST OR SWARM

If you find a bee nest or swarm, it is generally not dangerous at first, unless you are allergic. Bees are usually not aggressive and will only sting as a last resort. Unlike wasps, when a bee stings you, it dies because its stinger remains lodged in your skin. Therefore, if you do not disturb them, you should be able to move around nearby without too much trouble.

Normally, bees swarm when their hive becomes overcrowded or when a competing queen appears. As mentioned, although it may be impressive to see hundreds of bees buzzing nearby, it is usually not dangerous.

If your property is located near our business, do not hesitate to contact us at info@miellerieking.com and send us a photo of the nest. We will try to coordinate with you, if possible, to come and collect them.

If you are located in another region, we invite you to visit the website of the Quebec Beekeepers Association to find a beekeeper near you who can assist you.