We have recently joined Wasp Control UK see link to their website Wasp Control UK. Wasp nest control services throughout the UK

We are now well into the wasp nest season and are having a busy summer. Our wasp (or hornet) nest treatment charge is from £45 plus VAT.

This year wasps seem to be doing particularly well and we are finding that most of our customers have more than one nest. So before you phone us to book an appointment have a look good round your property to see if you can find anymore, as it is cheaper to have the nests treated together rather than on separate occasions.

When you phone please let us know where the nest is (i.e. eaves, shed etc.) and we will then make an appointment for one of our professional technicians (Andrew, Roy or Wez) to come out to you.

So don’t get stung this summer give us a buzz on 0118 972 4895 or 0800 781 4059

We have a wasp nest in our shed!  At the moment (16 May 2010) the queen wasp is a very hard working single mum; she has to build the nest and look after her young.  As you will see from the photograph the nest is quite small about the size of a golf ball.  The queen is constructing her nest from chewed up wood mixed with salvia which she makes into a paste (a bit like paper mache) she then builds her nest layer by layer.  When her young hatch they will take over the building of the nest and foraging of food for the wasp grubs. The nest (if left untreated) will grow rapidly throughout the summer months.

Queen wasp building her wasp nest

At the moment, unless you can actually see the wasp nest, you will probably not know it is there.  During the summer months when activity increases you may spot a steady stream of wasps coming and going from one area.  It is best to leave treatment of wasp nests to the experts as wasps will know when their nest is under attack and defend it. So don’t get stung this summer give us a buzz on 0800 781 4059.  We charge £45 plus VAT to treat a wasp nest.

Queen Wasps

Now at last the weather has started to warm up we have begun to receive enquiries from customers saying “they have a wasp nest”.  We can assure you that wasps will not have begun to make their nests in April.  This time of year queen wasps (which are larger than the worker wasps which we see during the summer months) are emerging from hibernation.   The queen wasps are transient individuals during the Spring so we are unable to control them.   As a general rule we do not start treating wasp nests until mid June.  During the spring and early summer wasps can be regarded as beneficial insects as they kill an enormous number of flies, caterpillars and other insects to feed to their young.  However, as their numbers increase in the summer they can become a nuisance and that is when we can help by treating wasp nests.

Don’t Panic! It’s only a Bee

It is so lovely to see bumble bees buzzing busily around the garden searching for pollen and nectar to turn into honey and food for their newly hatching brood.   Where would we be without our bees? They are a very important part of our food chain, one third of the food we eat would not be available but for bees.

Mason and Mining Solitary Bees

Did you know that there are approximately 270 different types of solitary bee in this country?  Solitary bees are excellent pollinators often attracted to one type of flower so when that flower’s season ends so does the bees activity.

The fertile female bees live alone in a hole or burrow for about 6-8 weeks of the year while they lay eggs.  The burrow may be in well drained dry soil (mining bee) or in soft brick mortar (mason bee).   Sometimes as these bees can congregate together their numbers can be quite alarming but please do not let them frighten you.  They are very interesting to watch as they go backwards and forwards with mud to block up the entrance to their burrow.  You can even purchase nesting boxes for them from wildlife shops/garden centres or see http://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/acatalog/Bird_Food_Bees_42.html#aFGSB_2d00 (or make your own, as we have done by cutting down a piece of guttering and put short lengths of garden cane inside see photo below). Put the bee house up on a sunny side of your house.

Our Mason Bee House

Solitary bees have a short lifespan, living as adults for only about 6 to 8 weeks. So activity can cease as quickly as it is started.  Most solitary bees have no sting. For more information see http://www.insectpix.net/solitary_bees_gallery.htm

Honey bees

The poor honey bee is having a tough time of it.  Not only struggling with the varroa mite but now the Asian Hornet is threatening the British honey bee see link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/beekeeping/7585774/Asian-hornet-threatens-British-bees.html