Bees and European Wasps

How you can tell the difference and what to do about them.

• What is the difference between Bees and European wasps?
• What do I do if I discover European wasps on my property?
• What do I do if I discover bees on my property?
• What do I do if I discover European wasps or honey bees on government land?
• The Animal Diseases Act 2005 is the governing legislation in terms of bees.

What is the difference?

Though bees and European wasps are of a similar size and shape, you will easily be able to differentiate between the two by their colours.

European wasps are bright yellow and black with bright yellow legs. They are predominantly black on their front half with bright yellow markings, and predominantly bright yellow on their back half with black stripes and black dots between the stripes down each side of the abdomen (sometimes joining the stripes). European wasps have longer, thicker antennae than bees.

Bees display a dull shade of yellow or a golden brown colour through to black. They also have black stripes around their body, however bees do not have the black dot characteristics of the European wasp. Unlike the European Wasp that has yellow legs, bees have black legs. This is probably the easiest way to differentiate between the two.

European wasps can nest in various cavities, walls, ceilings and trees to name a few. However the most likely place for a European wasp nest to occur is in the ground. These nests are easily sighted due to the constant European wasp activity above the nest. However the nest holes could be well hidden amongst vegetation.

Bees often nest in tree or wall cavities and can nest in compost bins and cavities such as old suitcases. Bees, unlike European wasps, are usually not aggressive and will go about their day to day duties unless they feel threatened or are under attack. Try to avoid the flight path of swarming bees and wasps. Both bees and wasps are best left to their own devices.

What do I do if I discover European wasps on my property?

If you have European wasps nesting on your property (private or leased), it is your responsibility to have them removed. It is recommended you call a pest control company to exterminate the problem nest. If you have your own protective clothing the best time to exterminate a nest is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. These times will ensure the majority of the wasps will be in the nest.

What do I do if I discover bees on my property?

Bees generally swarm between August and December each year. If a bee swarm has been detected on private property you can contact a beekeeper to remove the swarm. The Beekeepers Association of the ACT keeps an updated list of members who are available to collect bee swarms. This list can be found on their website at: http://www.actbeekeepers.asn.au/common/home.htm

Alternatively, call Canberra Connect on 13 88 21 who can provide the contact details of a beekeeper from the Beekeepers Association's listing during swarming season.

What do I do if I discover European wasps or bees on government land?

If you find a nest of European wasps on government land, contact XCS Consulting European Wasp Hotline on 6162 1914.

If you find a swarm of bees on government land, you should contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

The Animal Diseases Act 2005 is the governing legislation in terms of Bees.

It is currently not a requirement to be registered as a beekeeper with Environment Protection & Heritage.

The disease aspect of beekeeping is administered under the Animal Diseases Act 2005.

Bees can be declared as suffering from Exotic or Endemic diseases under the Animal Diseases Act 2005. The following diseases have been declared Endemic Diseases under the Animal Diseases Act 2005.

• American Brood Disease
• Nosema Disease
• Chalk Brood Disease
• Stone Brood Disease
• European Brood

The following diseases have been declared Exotic Diseases under the Animal Diseases Act 2005.

• Africanised Bee
• Tracheal Mite
• Asian Bees
• Tropilaelaps Mite
• Asian Mite
• Varroa Mite
• Braula Fly

The Animal Diseases Regulation 2006 prohibits the keeping of honeybees other than in frame hives. The regulations also prohibit a person from exposing honey or honey comb, other than in a frame hive, in a way that honeybees may have access to it, as this can lead to the spread of diseases. For the same reason, a beekeeper should never feed honey to honey bees.

Health inspections are normally carried out at the request of a beekeeper suspecting Brood diseases or when transferring hives interstate. Where an inspection is required Environment Protection & Heritage contracts experienced people to carry out this service. A Health certificate is issued when no disease is detected with an interstate transfer. If a hive is identified as having American Foulbrood or American Brood disease, the colonies must be destroyed. The cost of destroying the disease hives will be determined on a case by case basis and shall be met by Environment Protection & Heritage upon application.

Both Exotic and Endemic disease are required to be notified to the Director of Veterinary Hygiene in writing immediately.

For further information on Exotic and Endemic Diseases, the Animal Disease Act 2005 can be accessed at the following location:

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2005-18/current/pdf/2005-18.pdf

Surrounding Regions of the Australian Capital Territory can access NSW DPI information at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/honey-bees