The Summer Nuisance: Everything You Need To Know About Mosquitoes
May 29, 2024
5 Summer Pest Prevention Techniques
June 20, 2024
Wasps vs. Bees: Key Differences Every Homeowner Should Know
There’s a lot to look forward to in summer: shorts, ice cream, picnics, camping, the beach, family vacations, the pool, barbeques, and so much more. Bees, wasps, and other summertime insects definitely don’t make the list.
While bees and wasps are often lumped into the same category—buzzing, flying, black and yellow, stinging bugs—they are distinctly different. Bees and wasps have different appearances, habits, and traits.
If you are unsure whether you are dealing with a wasp nest, a bee colony, or both, you don’t need to look any further. Insight Pest Solutions is here to help you understand the difference between bees and wasps.
It’s All About the Looks
The simplest difference between wasps and bees is the way they look. Wasps are typically far more slim than bees. Their legs and bodies are sleek and slender. They are bright yellow and black in color. With little to no hair, they look very different than their bee cousins.
Bees are generally thick and fuzzy, which allows them to collect and gather pollen more effectively. They tend to appear more brown and yellow in color.
Let’s Talk About Diet
Wasps are considered predators; adult female wasps feed small insects like caterpillars and spiders to their young. Adult wasps mix up their diet and pursue sweeter treats, which often leads them to your open can of soda or slice of juicy, sweet watermelon.
Bees aren’t predators; they don’t consume meat. Instead, bees dine on plant pollens and nectar from flowering trees and plants.
There Is No Place Like Home
Wasp nests are usually made from paper-like materials. As the days turn colder, wasp numbers drop, and queens enter hibernation for the next summer. Generally, wasps don’t reuse the previous season’s nest.
Bees build their nests from beeswax. While honey bees only live for a month or two, the colony is quick to reproduce. A bee colony will hibernate through the cold months, living off of their storage of honey. Because of this, most healthy colonies live in the same nest for years.
Wasp vs. Bees: Stings and Behavior
Wasp colonies are typically known to be more aggressive than bee colonies. However, both are highly territorial and will not hesitate to defend themselves, their queen, and their home.
While wasps and bumblebees can sting offenders repeatedly, honey bees can only sting once. This is because honey bees release their stinger when they sting, which also results in the small insect's death. Wasps don’t have the same limits. They can sting a person or animal as many times as they see fit.
Any sting should be treated with care. However, most stings aren’t dangerous and can be treated with home remedies like washing and a cold compress. If you are allergic to bee and/or wasps stings, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Choose Insight Pest Control for Wasp Removal
Wasps and bees are natural pollinators, and they do a lot of good for our plants and trees. But when they have decided to nest on your front porch, over your garage, or in the siding of your house, the best step is extraction.
Knowing what kind of pest you are dealing with is critical. At Insight Pest Control, we have different solutions depending on the type of insect infestation that you’re dealing with. But no matter what pest control service you are looking for, we are here to help! If you’re suffering from a stubborn wasp nest, take a look at our wasp nest removal services today.
