Website is still a work in progress.
Wasps and bees
The Common Types and behaviour
A wasp nest on the vertical support of a fence
Wasps and bees come in many varieties but all generally do similar things. Bees harvest nectar and turn it into honey which is stored in their hive for food when they need it. Wasps consume nectar and hunt to feed their carnivorous young back at their nest. Neither are inherently aggressive but will defend themselves and their nests/hives if threatened.
Australian native bees however do not have a stinger and will not attack people.
The job they do in the wild
This is a bee covered in pollen collecting nectar
Both bees and wasps are critical to pollination as they both feed of the nectar in flowers. Pollination is critical for plant reproduction and is one of the steps that is required for a lot of fruits and vegetables as well as any flowering plants.
We use bees for the honey they make.
Wasps also serve a roll controlling pests. They hunt for spiders caterpillars and other insects to feed their young. All things considered both bees and wasps play a pretty big part in a healthy ecosystem.
Why are they a problem
A swarm of bees
If there are too many or if their homes are in a less desirable spot either near a thoroughfare like a door or hidden where you might need to move or access, like under a hose or amongst a stack of chairs, they can be a hazard. If someone is allergic to bee or wasp stings this can be very problematic. Accidental disturbing of nests can lead to a lot of stings.
Bees are also known to swarm when the weather is right, which leads to an entire hive worth of bees (hundreds or thousands) setting up in the back yard or worse in the walls or roof of the house.
Our plan of attack
A wasp on a nest
Relatively easy to deal with as long as they are accessible, I can wipe out a wasp nest by spraying it and hives/swarms are normally dusted. The trick is not stung in the process.
If a wasp nest isn't posing a risk I might recommend leaving it in place to promote better pollination.
Due to the presence of Varroa Mites being detected in Newcastle the bee population has taken a big hit in the last few years. This has meant less pollination and less success with gardens.