Pest Guide
Wasps & Bees
Wasps and bees are commonly found around Perth homes and gardens, particularly during warmer periods when activity increases around flowering plants, food sources and suitable nesting locations. While both can sting when threatened, bees are important pollinators and should be handled differently from pest wasps. If a nest or swarm is discovered, avoid disturbing it and seek appropriate professional advice.
Common signs include:
- Increased wasp or bee activity around the property
- Insects repeatedly entering and leaving the same location
- A visible nest, hive or swarm
- Activity around roof spaces, eaves or wall openings
- Wasps gathering around food, rubbish or outdoor eating areas
- Bees gathering around flowering plants
- Persistent activity around a particular structure or garden area
Where Do Wasps & Bees Nest?
Nesting locations vary considerably depending on the species. Activity may be found:
- Under roof eaves
- Around sheds and outdoor structures
- Within wall cavities
- Around roof spaces
- In trees, shrubs and gardens
- In sheltered openings around buildings
- Underground or in existing cavities
- Around fences and other protected structures
What Attracts Wasps & Bees?
Wasps and bees can be attracted to different resources around a property. These may include:
- Flowering plants
- Accessible food and sugary drinks
- Rubbish and food waste
- Fallen or overripe fruit
- Water sources
- Protected nesting locations
- Existing gaps and cavities in structures
- Other insects that some wasp species prey upon
How Can You Reduce Unwanted Activity?
- Keep outdoor food and drinks covered
- Keep rubbish bins securely closed
- Clean up food and drink spills
- Remove fallen fruit where practical
- Seal suitable building gaps when they are not actively being used by bees or wasps
- Avoid leaving food waste exposed
- Do not disturb or strike an active nest
- Keep children and pets away from known nests or swarms
- Seek professional advice before attempting removal
When Is Professional Help Needed?
Professional assistance should be considered when a wasp nest, bee colony or swarm is located in an area where it may present a risk to people or pets, particularly around entrances, frequently used outdoor areas or within the building.
Do not attempt to remove or disturb an active nest or swarm yourself.
Bees should not automatically be treated as pests. Where practical and appropriate, a bee colony or swarm may be assessed for safe relocation by a beekeeper or suitable professional rather than pest-control treatment.
Wasps and bees require different approaches, so correctly identifying what you're dealing with is an important first step.
