There’s no denying that bees are a vital part of our ecosystem because they play essential roles, from pollinating the flowers to producing honey down to creating ecological balance. However, the problem is that they are often deemed as pests in any given commercial or residential property. Not only are their stings quite painful, but they can cause some chaos in your surroundings. The last thing you will want to have is a bee infestation in your property!
In this article, we’ll cover the four common types of bees that you should know about in the UK:
1. Honeybees
This species is a special type of bees that produce honey. They are relatively small with varied colours ranging from brown to almost black and equipped with two wings, two antennae, and three segmented body parts. They are considered social insects that live in colonies with a single queen, a few hundred drones, and thousands upon thousands of workers. They aren’t necessarily deemed as pests in the UK, but some can set up homes in undesirable places, such as chimneys and wall cavities. In most cases, they are seen swarming on or around a tree branch, fence post and even cars.
2. Bumblebees
They cannot be easily confused with other bee types because, unlike other bees, they are rounder, larger and furrier. They are also distinct for their various stripes of colours across the end of their tails. As far as habitat is concerned, they live in a colony with a queen and all female workers. However, the problem is that they are easily found in underground areas, such as abandoned burrows of rats or rabbits, bird boxes, under decking, or a compost bin. As they can sting when threatened, removing them from the area is a must to maintain safety!
3. Solitary or masonry bees
As the name implies, they are solitary insects, meaning that they like to conceal themselves and are rarely found in a large number. If you want to identify them, know that they typically have a reddish-brown bottom and black body. For the most part, they are also seen popping in and out of the wall or tiny holes in the ground because they can build nests in a wide range of cavities.
4. Tree bees
They are a species of bumblebees common in the European continent, which has quickly spread to the UK and Iceland over the years. They have a unique banding with a tawny to reddish-brown thorax, a black abdomen, and a whitetail. The drones are notable for their patch of yellowish facial fur, which eventually fades in time. While the queen is large, the workers are relatively small. The problem is that they have a high level of nest activity, where they commonly build a nest in bird boxes and parts of your home.
Conclusion
At this point, we’ve covered the four common types of bees that you can find in the UK: honeybees, bumblebees, solitary or masonry bees, and tree bees. While they are deemed a vital part of our ecological system, having an infestation in your property is indeed undesirable.
When confronted with a pest infestation, the best course of action is to hire a pest control service in the UK. These professionals will ensure the safe removal of these bees without killing them, and they’ll do their best to relocate the hive whenever possible. Ultimately, they’ll ensure that your residential property is safe and completely free of these insects!
Are you looking for bee removal services for your residential property? We’ve got you covered! We have a team of expert pest control in Birmingham, providing affordable yet effective solutions for pesky pest problems in the West Midlands. Get in touch with us and tap our local pest control service today!
