Bees & Wasps

Stinging insects benefit people and the environment in many ways including pollinating a large variety of crops and flowers, reducing other insect populations, and producing delicious honey. However, the fact remains that most people do not want a nest of bees or wasps on their property, especially if it has been built close to or inside their home. And with good reason, most stinging insects will protect their nest with a painful sting. Unfortunately, some species can and will sting multiple times. This can prove dangerous for those allergic to stinging insects. Extreme caution should always be taken around bees, wasps, and other stinging insects.

Both bees and wasps are a problem for homeowners in our region; honey bees, yellowjackets, and paper wasps are the ones we often receive calls about.

Honey Bees

Honey bees are very social insects and are one of the only types of social insects whose colony can survive for many years. Because of this honey bee colonies can grow very large. This type of bee is responsible for pollinating more than 100 crops in the U.S. alone and is a very important part of the eco-system. However, if their nest is built too close to your home it should be removed, honey bees are not particularly aggressive but will defend their nest and deliver a painful sting. Honey bees make their nests in a variety of places including tree crevices, logs, chimneys, and behind wall voids and attics.

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets are a type of wasp that lives in large colonies. It’s not uncommon to have a colony with thousands of workers. Yellowjackets are extremely territorial and aggressive meaning they will not hesitate to sting in order to defend their nest. These wasps nest in the ground but also in large spaces such as attics and wall voids. Late summer and early fall is when you're likely to see even more yellowjacket activity and that’s because their numbers are so large and the food supply is limited. They’ll start looking for food and that often includes sweets and proteins found at barbecues, picnics, and other outdoor gatherings.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps are semi-social insects that tend to live in relatively small colonies. Paper wasps create their comb-shaped nests with a mixture of saliva and plant materials, giving the nest a paper-like appearance. Paper wasps are not overly aggressive but will defend their nests with a painful sting if they feel threatened. And speaking of nests, paper wasp nests are often hanging from tree branches or built in shrubs, door frames, porches, ceilings, soffits, and attic rafters.