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Bees
and wasps are known as beneficial insects because
they prey on other small animal pests, pollinate
flowers and produce honey for human consumption.
However, they carry a venomous sting that can be
very painful and may cause extreme allergic reactions
in some people. Bees and wasps do not sting unless
disturbed; which sometimes happens accidentally,
and thus they are also classified as pests. (Larger
wasps are known as hornets.) |
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SOLITARY BEES
Most solitary bees are small, except
the carpenter bees which bore holes into dead timber.
Carpenter bees are either completely black or black with
a yellow band near the head. Their stings are very painful.
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SOCIAL BEES
Honeybees are social bees living
in colonies with a queen and workers. Most of the honeybees
are small, not aggressive and seldom sting. The exception
is the giant honeybee. These bees make enormous hanging
combs on branches and buildings, are very dangerous and
must never be disturbed.
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SOLITARY WASPS
Female solitary wasps build mud
nests where they lay their eggs. They prey on small insects
by paralysing them with stings. They then stock their
prey in the nests so that the young larvae can feed on
these paralysed, but live, victims. The sting of the solitary
wasp can be quite severe; fortunately, they do not sting
unless severely provoked. They never inflict multiple
stings and therefore are not dangerous.
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SOCIAL WASPS
Social wasps will defend their nests
aggressively and will attack if their nests are approached.
Multiple stings from the larger wasps such as hornets
are dangerous, and the victim needs to be hospitalised
immediately. Some victims have died from hornet stings.
In Singapore, the common hornets are the banded hornets,
the lesser-banded hornets and the slender-banded hornets.
These are black with an orange band on the body.
Other social wasps are smaller than the hornet and will
also attack if their nests are disturbed. The night wasps
nest in bushes and enter our homes because they are attracted
to light. They will sting if they land on one's skin.
They usually sting just once.
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CONTROL
Although bees and wasps do not sting
unless disturbed, they pose a threat to humans when they
build their nests near our habitats because sometimes
they can be accidentally disturbed.
1. It is advisable to destroy the nests or hives. Do not
do this yourself. It is dangerous and must be handled
by a professional pest control technician.
2. To destroy the nest, a professional will spray it with
an insecticide to kill the insects. Then the nest will
be burnt and removed.
3. It is best to spray the insecticide at night when all
the bees or wasps have returned and are also inactive.
4. For safe and reliable service, call
SWAT Pest Control. .
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