Bees and Wasps

Bees and wasps are often confused due to their similarities; however their behaviour is strikingly different:

Bees

• Bees are generally plumper and very hairy compared with wasps. They are mild mannered and interested in flowers, not your lunch or garbage
• Bees are important pollinators. Bee swarms and hives should be reported to Councils Health Services who will refer the complaint to an apiarist for collection.

European Wasps

• European Wasps have a slender body with a narrow waist, slender, cylindrical legs, and appear smoothed-skinned and shiny. They can be aggressive, and interested in food and garbage
• European Wasps can be dangerous and damaging to the environment. Nests should be eradicated. Householders should engage a pest control operator or eradicate the nests themselves.

Treatment 

All nests should only be treated at night when the wasps are least active.

1. Cover yourself fully with loose fitting clothing and if using a torch, cover the light with red cellophane, as wasps cannot see red light.
2. Obtain a carbaryl or propxur insecticide from a hardware store.
3. Point the insecticide dust down the entrance hole and give several good puffs or sprays.
4. After a day or two, activity at the nest should cease. If wasps continue to be active after four or five days, reapply the dust. The hole can be filled in after a few days, as there is no need to remove the nest itself.

Precautions

You can reduce the population of European wasps around your home and reduce the risk of stings in a number of ways.

1. Do not leave food, drink or pet food outside.
2. Pick up any fallen fruit
3. Ensure that your outdoor rubbish bins have tight-fitting lids.
4. Cover compost bins
5. Cover food during a barbecue or picnic 
6. Do not drink straight from a can or bottle when outside, as it could contain a Wasp - drink from a straw
7. If you see a European wasp, leave it alone - it will only attack if provoked

Contact Us

For nests on other land, or details of local pest controllers who could assist, contact Councils Health Services.
Consult the Yellow pages for reference to a pest control operator in your local area.

For further information contact Environmental Health Officer (03) 9768 1317 or via e-mail  correspondence@frankston.vic.gov.au.