The wasps They can be very annoying and cause painful bites (dangerous if you are allergic), but like all living beings, they play an important role in ecosystems.

The appearance of a wasp nest in your house or garden It is, without a doubt, a cause for concern, but to eliminate it you must take important aspects into account, since, in addition to the fact that depending on how you do it, it can greatly increase the risk of being stungcan also be confused with bees, which are protected animals.

How to differentiate bees from wasps

Wasps and bees share their colors (black and yellow) and the fact that they are flying insects, but beyond this they are very different animals. Wasps are thinner and elongated that bees and They have a marked “waist”while bees are rounder and larger and have hair on their bodies. Wasps also usually have brighter colors and more marked stripes than bees.

As far as behavior is concerned, Wasps usually hang around the food or waste we leave behind. humans (they are attracted to sugar and protein) and have a more aggressive and territorial behavior than bees, which focus on collecting nectar and pollen from flowers. Unlike bees, wasps can sting several times, as they do not die after doing so.

Both insects play important roles in ecosystems, but bees are pollinators and their function is essential for the reproduction of many plants (producers of the food we eat. In addition, they produce honey. All of this makes bees are protected animals legally in the European Union, which means that their nests cannot be removed without authorization.

The wasps They also play an important role, especially in the control of other insectssome of which can become real pests and harm crops. Some species also contribute to pollination

Where do wasps make their nests?

The nests of bees and wasps are very different: bees create wax hives with a hexagonal honeycomb structure and are generally located in trees or in human-made structures, such as holes in walls.

Wasps usually make their nests from wood pulp that they chew themselves. and that resembles paper. They can be placed in different areas, but normally they do so in covered places to protect them from the rainsuch as under roofs or awnings, in trees, in windows, and there are even some species of wasps that make their nests in the ground.

How to remove a wasp nest

If you see many wasps in your garden or notice that they flutter near your house, it is very likely that they have installed their nest nearby.

As we said before, wasps fulfill important functions in ecosystems, so if the nest is not in a place that bothers you much or no risk of being bitten, you can consider the possibility of leaving it.

If it is in an area that is too close to your home or you or someone in your family is allergic to wasp stings, it is advisable to remove the nest, but you cannot do it in any way.

Wasps are territorial and can be aggressive (and sting several times in a row), so It is best to contact a professional so you can remove it safely.

• If the nest is still small and you want to remove it yourself (which is not recommended at all) without killing the wasps, it is advisable to do so at nightwhen the wasps are inside the nest and are less active.
• It suits wear protective clothing that covers the entire body (as well as gloves, a hat and some cloth or veil to cover the face), although you must keep in mind that its sting can pass through ordinary clothing.
• You will need a container with lid of a size large enough to fit the nest. Slide it over the nest and, very gently and carefully, remove it from the surface to which it is attached. Cover it quickly to prevent wasps from escaping. and take it to a suitable place where there are fewer people (without moving it too much so as not to agitate the wasps).
• If you see that they are not very revved, open the container carefully to release them and move away as quickly as possible. Remember that Under no circumstances should you remove a wasp nest if you are allergic. to its sting.

Once the nest has been removed, it is advisable apply repellents (such as peppermint or lemongrass essential oil) in the area to prevent wasps from nesting again.