With spring right around the corner, it’s imporant to talk about the stinging insects you may see flying around. In this blog post, we’ll look at the differences between bees and wasps and provide ways you can help control stinging insects around your property.
First of all, did you know bees and wasps are entirely different? They’re often mistaken for one another but you can identify a bee because it is thick and often hairy whereas a wasp is thin and sleek looking. Bees will sting you if they are provoked or feel threatened and waps are naturally aggressive. And while bees typically die after a sting, wasps inflict several painful stings.
Carpenter Bee 
Carpenter bees are large, typically black in color and are often mistaken for bumblebees. While these pests have stingers, they are reluctant to use them unless provoked. The big threat Carpenter bees create is the damage they can cause to your home. These pests bore holes into untreated wood like decks, porches, and other wood structures. If you see a carpenter bee tunnel on your property, you’ll want to a professional bee removal expert safely remove it.
Yellow Jacket
Yellow jackets are wasps known for their aggressive behavior. They are typically yellow and black or white and black in color and are often confused with paper wasps. Yellow jackets prefer to build their nests in the ground, but they’ll also establish nests in attics, crawlspaces, and within walls. Yellow jackets don’t lose their stinger, so they’ll continue to inhibit painful stings if they feel threatened — which can be something as simple as the vibration of a lawnmower.
Paper Wasp
Paper wasps are known for the large, gray paper nests they create in trees and shrubs. They have slender waists, long legs, and are typically golden brown in color. These wasps aren’t nearly as aggressive as yellow jackets, but they can still inflict several painful stings if you get too close to their nest.
European Hornet
European hornets are among the largest of the wasp family. They are typically black and white with distinct white facial markings. These stinging insects are very aggressive. Simply walking within 10 feet of a European hornet nest may cause them to attack. Like paper wasps, European hornets also have gray paper nests. They typically create their nests on trees or on the sides of homes.
Bald-Faced Hornet
Bald-faced hornets as mentioned above are the largest of wasps. They are black in color and range in size from 1 inch to 1 ½ inches. Bald-faced hornets typically build their paper, oval-shaped nests in trees or shrubs and inside are several tiers of eggs. These hornets are not quite as aggressive as their yellow jacket cousins, but can still deliver a relatively more intrusive sting.
Stinging Insect Control
Stinging insects such as yellow jackets and hornets can be a real problem if they build a nest near your home or business. A pest control technician experienced in nest removal is essential to helping resolve your stinging insect problem. Of course, one of the best ways to stop an infestation is to prevent it entirely. To help keep these stinging insects away from high-traffic areas, you’ll want to eliminate food and water sources. This means removing birdbaths and other sources of standing water and keeping your trash can tightly sealed. You’ll also want to remove debris from your property like woodpiles, and abandoned equipment. Stinging insects along with a variety of other pests are attracted to debris. Lastly, you’ll want to seal any potential entry points in your home. Walk around your home and caulk any cracks and crevices these pests may use to gain access into your home.
