Beekeepers are often asked about bee like, flying creatures, especially in the spring and summer period, when these generate a lot of activity.
The most common flying insects are honeybees, bumblebees and wasps. There are other kinds that are confused with these. We will try to help you tell them apart and what to do after that.
Step 1 – Bumblebees.
Bumblebees are often confused with honeybees. However they are rounder, larger and furrier and come with a variety of coloured stripes across the end of their tails. Are they in a bird box, in a roof, under the decking, in the compost?
Leave them alone if possible. Bumblebees are an important pollinator and rarely sting. Bumblebees are under threat of extinction. For more information: about the bumblebee contact the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
If your insects do not look like this, go to step 2.
Step 2 – Solitary bees.
Are there lots of small bees flying in and out of the wall or a small holes in the ground. Do they have a reddy/brown bottom? Are they almost black?
These are Solitary Bees, they are harmless and as their name suggest live more or less alone emerging as adults in spring – they rear all their offspring on their own. Solitary bees come in many different sizes, they aren’t interested in you and should be left alone. For more information click here.
If your insects do not look like this, go to step 3.
Step 3 – Wasps
Are they bright yellow with black stripes? Very smooth mainly yellow with black stripes? Do they have a high pitched buzz? Are they after all things sweet? Are they in the roof of your house? Are they coming from a round nest in a tree? Is there a nest in the shed? Then these are probably Wasps.
For more information about Wasps click here.
Click here if you wish to get rid of Wasps go to Rentokil website.
If your insects do not look like this, go to step 4.
Step 4 – Honeybees
Honeybees are small and vary in colour from golden brown to almost black.
If you are looking at these then please contact your local Swarm Collectors who will come and collect your Honeybee swarm.
Choose from the list or contact any of the people below and help will be arranged.
Henry Horkan
Deerpark East
Westport
Co Mayo
Tel No 098 25096
Mob No 087-9934806
William Robertson
Killeencoff
Westport
Tel No 098 25512
Mob No 087-9271633
Padraic Baynes
Derrygorman
Westport
Tel No 098 27616
Mob No 087-6957154
Sean Carter
Killavally
Westport
Mob No 087-6264153
