Summer invites us outdoors, doesn’t it? Longer days, warmer weather, barbecues sizzling, and kids playing in the yard – it’s a season many of us look forward to all year. But as we venture out to enjoy parks, trails, and our own backyards, we step into a world bustling with other life, including insects like bees, wasps, and hornets. While these creatures play vital roles in our ecosystem, encountering their homes, or hives, unexpectedly can put a damper on summer fun, and sometimes lead to uncomfortable situations. Knowing how to spot potential nesting sites and how to safely share our outdoor spaces is key to a peaceful and enjoyable summer season.
Understanding who you might be sharing your space with is a good starting point. While we often lump them together, bees, wasps, and hornets have different appearances and nesting habits. Honeybees, often fuzzy and golden, are vital pollinators usually living in large colonies within tree hollows, wall cavities, or managed hives. Bumblebees are larger, fuzzier, and typically nest in smaller colonies, often underground in abandoned rodent burrows or clumps of grass. Wasps, like yellow jackets and paper wasps, are generally sleeker, less hairy, and can be more aggressive, especially when defending their nests. Yellow jackets often nest underground or in wall voids, while paper wasps build distinctive open-comb, umbrella-shaped nests hanging from eaves, branches, or railings.
Common Hangouts: Where to Look for Nests
These insects are resourceful and will build their homes wherever they find suitable conditions. Being aware of common nesting locations can help you spot them before you get too close. Regular observation, especially at the start of the season, is your best defence.
In Nature’s Nooks
Trees are prime real estate. Look for activity around:
- Tree Hollows: Cavities in trunks or large branches are classic spots for honeybee colonies. You might see bees coming and going from a small opening.
- Branches: Paper wasps often hang their nests from sturdy branches. Hornet nests, which can become quite large and spherical, are also frequently found hanging in trees or large shrubs.
- Underground: This is a favourite for yellow jackets and bumblebees. Look for small holes in the ground, often around tree roots, in lawns, or garden beds, with insects flying in and out. Be especially cautious when mowing or gardening in areas with unexplained holes.
Around the House and Yard
Our homes and yards offer many attractive nesting spots:
- Eaves and Overhangs: The sheltered undersides of rooflines are perfect for paper wasps. Check along gutters and soffits.
- Attics and Wall Voids: Bees and wasps can enter through small cracks or vents, building substantial nests hidden from view. An unusual number of insects buzzing near a particular spot on an exterior wall can be a clue.
- Sheds and Garages: Less frequently disturbed areas like sheds, garages, or under decks are common nesting sites.
- Man-Made Objects: Don’t overlook playgrounds, birdhouses, unused grills, upside-down flowerpots, piles of wood or debris, old tires, or even abandoned vehicles. Anywhere that offers shelter can become a home.
Signs You’ve Got Neighbors: Identifying Active Nests
Sometimes the nest itself isn’t immediately obvious. Instead, look for the tell-tale signs of insect activity that point towards a nearby home base.
Increased Traffic
The most reliable indicator is seeing a consistent stream of insects flying to and from a specific point. Are several bees or wasps repeatedly entering a small hole in the ground, a crack in the wall, or disappearing under the roof eaves? This “bee line” or wasp traffic pattern is a strong sign of an established nest nearby. Observe from a safe distance – don’t stand directly in their flight path.
Visible Structures
Some nests are easier to spot. Paper wasp nests look like open, hexagonal combs made of a grey, papery material, often hanging downwards. Hornet nests are typically enclosed, larger, greyish, and somewhat football-shaped, usually suspended from branches or sometimes structures. Honeycomb might be visible if bees have nested in an open cavity, though often it’s hidden within a structure.
Audible Clues
Sometimes, you can hear a nest before you see it, especially if it’s within a wall or ceiling. A low, steady buzzing sound emanating from a wall, soffit, or even the ground can indicate a large, active colony hidden from view. This is particularly common with honeybees or yellow jackets nesting in structural voids.
Staying Safe: Avoidance is Key
Prevention and avoidance are the best strategies for coexisting peacefully with stinging insects during the summer months.
Scan Before You Settle
Before setting up a picnic, letting kids play in a specific area, or starting yard work, take a moment to look around. Check trees, eaves, play structures, and the ground for signs of nest activity described above. It only takes a minute and can prevent an unpleasant encounter.
Keep Your Distance
If you identify a nest, the simplest and safest thing to do is stay away. Teach children to recognize potential nests and to keep their distance. Most bees and wasps won’t bother you if you don’t bother them or their home. Define a wide perimeter around the known nest location.
Resist the Swat
If a single bee or wasp is buzzing around you, try to stay calm and move away slowly. Swatting at it can make it feel threatened and more likely to sting. Remember, a single foraging insect away from its nest is usually just checking things out and isn’t inherently aggressive unless provoked.
Manage Food and Drinks
Sweet drinks, fruits, and proteins attract wasps, especially yellow jackets, later in the summer. Keep food and drinks covered when outdoors. Use cups with lids and straws. Clean up spills promptly and dispose of food waste in sealed containers away from activity areas.
Regular Yard Maintenance
A little prevention goes a long way. Seal cracks and crevices in foundations, walls, and around window and door frames where insects might enter to nest. Remove potential ground nesting sites like old lumber piles or debris. Keep lawns mowed, as this can sometimes deter ground nesters (but always check for ground activity before mowing!). Check outdoor structures like sheds and playhouses regularly.
Important Safety Note: Never intentionally disturb a nest or hive, regardless of its size or perceived threat level. Poking, spraying with water, or throwing objects at a nest can provoke a defensive swarm. Agitated bees or wasps are significantly more likely to sting, and multiple stings can be dangerous. Always prioritize safety and maintain a respectful distance.
When Avoidance Isn’t Enough: Handling Nest Discovery
Discovering a nest, especially near high-traffic areas like doorways, patios, or children’s play areas, can be concerning. While avoidance is preferred, sometimes removal is necessary for safety.
Do Not Attempt DIY Removal (Usually)
Trying to remove a nest yourself, especially for wasps, hornets, or large honeybee colonies, is generally not recommended. Over-the-counter sprays can be dangerous if not used correctly, and agitating the nest without eliminating the colony can lead to aggressive defensive behaviour. Knocking down a nest might seem like a solution, but it can disperse angry insects throughout the area.
Calling the Professionals
For wasp and hornet nests causing a safety concern, contacting a professional pest control service is the safest option. They have the protective gear, equipment, and knowledge to handle the removal safely and effectively.
If you suspect you have a honeybee colony in an inconvenient spot (like inside a wall), consider contacting a local beekeeping association or a specialized bee removal service first. Honeybees are beneficial pollinators, and often, beekeepers can remove and relocate the colony safely without harming the bees. This is an environmentally responsible approach when possible.
Living Alongside Distant Nests
If a nest is located far from main activity areas and doesn’t pose an immediate threat, sometimes the best course of action is simply to leave it alone and maintain your distance. Wasp and hornet colonies typically die off in the late fall or first hard frost (only the new queens survive the winter elsewhere), and the old nest is rarely reused. Monitoring it from afar and ensuring everyone knows to avoid the area might be sufficient.
Enjoying Summer Sensibly
Sharing our summer spaces with bees, wasps, and hornets doesn’t have to be stressful. By understanding where they might build their homes, recognizing the signs of activity, and practicing simple avoidance strategies, we can significantly reduce the chances of unwelcome encounters. Awareness and respect are your best tools. Look before you leap (or picnic, or garden), give wildlife its space, and know when to call for professional help if a nest poses a genuine safety risk. With a little vigilance, you can focus on soaking up the sunshine and enjoying all the best that summer has to offer, safely and peacefully.
