Care with bees and wasps
Bees and wasps are common in Cape Town. Stings or bites can range from sore but harmless to toxic and dangerous depending if the person stung is allergic or not.
Avoid bee and wasp stings
To avoid bee and wasp stings, it's best to call a professional to remove any unwanted hives in or around your property. Avoid removing or disturbing bee hives or wasp nests yourself without wearing proper protective equipment.
Bee/wasp removal on public open spaces and Council property
We only attend to complaints if the bees or wasps are in nature reserves, public open spaces (e.g. parks, fields etc.), or on Council property or infrastructure (e.g. City facilities). If this is the case, you can contact us on
0860 103 089, or submit a service request online to ask us to remove the bees/wasps.
Bee/WASP removal on private property
If you have bees on your private property, contact CapeNature on
087 087 9262.
If you have wasps on your property, contact your nearest/local registered pest control agency to assist with the safe removal and disposal of the wasps and their nests.
As the property owner, you are responsible for the cost of removing bees/wasps on your property.
To report bees after hours, contact Lynette Barnes on
071 2411 411, who will put you in touch with a beekeeper near you.
Invasive wasp species
Cape Town has two invasive wasp species that threaten indigenous species:
This wasp is of particular concern as it is a prolific breeder and occurs at high densities, mainly in the northern suburbs. It competes directly with our native paper wasp species for food and nesting sites, reducing the native population and disrupting the natural process.
The German Wasp, also known as the German Yellowjacket is less common. However, it has the potential to become a serious pest if it reaches high densities as it is aggressive, especially if the nest is disturbed, and it is a threat to the honey industry as it hunts and kills honeybees.
please note
The wasps mentioned above are listed as category 1b alien and invasive species in the
National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004), Alien and Invasive Species Regulations.
According to this act,
it is the landowner's responsibility to manage and control all listed alien and invasive species occurring on their property/land.
Contact your local registered pest control agency to assist with the safe removal and disposal of the wasps and their nests. We strongly advice against removing the wasp nest yourself , but if you choose to do the removal yourself, ensure that you use the proper protective equipment.
Submit an invasive species sighting
If you’ve spotted an invasive wasp species in the City,
submit an invasive species sighting or send an email to
invasive.species@capetown.gov.za with ‘WASPS’ in the subject line.
wasp removal
By submitting an invasive species sighting, you are helping us locate where invasive species occur so that we can track and manage invasive species populations. Please
DO NOT use this form to request the removal of wasps or bees.
Handling a sting
Anyone who is allergic to bee and wasp stings must be treated immediately if stung. For immediate help with bee or wasp stings, contact the
24-hour Poison Information Helpline on 086 155 5777.
If a wasp or bee stings you or someone you are with, follow these steps to prevent further harm or injury:
- Move the person and yourself away from the hive or nest, if there is one.
- Remain calm.
- Determine any allergies and administer any prescribed medication for allergies.
- Scrape the bee sting off the skin using a sharp edged object such as a knife or bankcard.
- Avoid scratching the stung area.
Invasive Species Programme
You can assist us and become a spotter of invasive species by joining the Invasive Species Programme. Click on the link below to find out how.
Contact us
If you would like more information on the Invasive Species Programme, please contact our main representative:
Bongani Zungu, Invasive Species Programme Manager, Environmental Management Department
Telephone:
071 290 8813 (Weekdays: 08:00 - 16:00)
Email:
bongani.zungu@capetown.gov.za
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