Every summer, we receive calls from people who are convinced they have a wasp nest, only to find on inspection that they have a bumblebee colony, or vice versa. Getting the identification right matters: bees are protected and should not be treated, while wasp nests in or near occupied buildings should be dealt with promptly. Here is how to tell them apart.

How to identify wasps

The common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and the German wasp (Vespula germanica) are the two species most likely to cause problems in Scotland. Key identification features:

• Bright yellow and black banding on the abdomen, with a clearly defined pattern.
• A narrow, pinched waist between the thorax and abdomen.
• Smooth, shiny body with very little hair.
• Legs that hang down in flight.
• Nests made from grey papery material, built from chewed wood pulp.

Wasps are generally more aggressive than bees, particularly in late summer when the colony is breaking down and food sources become scarce. They can sting multiple times.

How to identify bees

Scotland has several bee species, but the ones most commonly confused with wasps are bumblebees and honeybees:

• Bumblebees: large, round, and very hairy. Often have orange, yellow, or white bands on a black body. Slow-moving and docile. Nest in the ground, in compost heaps, or in cavities such as roof spaces.
• Honeybees: smaller than bumblebees, with a more slender body. Golden-brown with darker banding. Highly social, living in large colonies. Swarms in spring and early summer are a common sight.

Bees are generally non-aggressive unless their nest is directly threatened. A honeybee can only sting once. Bumblebees rarely sting at all.

What to do if you have bees

Bees are protected and should not be treated with insecticide. If you have a bumblebee nest in a low-traffic area, the best approach is to leave it alone. The colony will die off naturally in autumn and will not return to the same site the following year.

If you have a honeybee swarm, contact a local beekeeper through the Scottish Beekeepers Association. Many beekeepers will collect swarms free of charge. If a honeybee colony has established itself inside a wall cavity or chimney, the situation is more complex and may require specialist advice.

What to do if you have wasps

If the nest is in a location that poses a risk to people, professional treatment is the safest option. A technician will apply a residual insecticide directly into the nest entrance, which is carried through the colony by returning workers. The nest is typically inactive within hours to a day.

Treated nests are never re-used. However, new queens may build fresh nests in the same area the following year, so proofing loft and wall cavity entry points is worthwhile if you have had repeated problems. Pest King treats wasp nests across Aberdeen, Dundee, Angus, Perth and Stirling, with fast response during wasp season.