Bees & Wasps
Bees & Wasps
What you need to know
Bees and wasps are similar in some ways but are very different creatures with different behaviors. Usually, bees are good for the environment but may pose a threat if they nest in areas around your home especially if you have members of the family that are allergic. Wasps are also a problem, as they can sting multiple times and are more aggressive. Treatment varies depending on which pest it is.
Before bees are adults they live in the hive. Once they reach the pupae stage they wrap themselves in cocoons and hatch as adults. There is three types of bees that are produced, queen(s), males and female worker bees.
Wasps colonies are composed of queen(s), males and workers, which provide the food and supplies to the larva, as well as building the nest.
Basic Biology
BEES
- Egg
- Larval
- Pupae
- Adult
WASP
- Egg
- Larval
- Adult
Inside The Hive
BEES
In the bee hive there are three types of bees; queen(s), males and female worker bees. The queen(s) are in charge of producing eggs to maintain and increase bee population. The males only role is to fertilize the queen. Once this task is complete the male dies. The worker bees are infertile female bees that go out to look for nectar and bring it back to the hive to turn into honey. Bees have a special gland that converts nectar into honey.
When in danger or threatened, bees will attack to defend the colony. Honey bees can only sting once unlike bumblebees that can sting multiple times. All bees take orders from the queen(s) and leave the hive daily to find nectar to convert to honey.
WASP
Wasps can be considered to be social, like living in a colony or solitary living by themselves. They lay eggs to hatch on their own. Wasp colonies can consist of thousands of wasps and female workers that are in charge of all nest duties. Wasp may be predatory or parasitic in nature. Predatory wasps hunt other insects and animals to feed to their larva, while parasitic wasp lay its eggs in dead animals or insects.
Like bees, wasps are important to the environment. Some hunt insects that are harmful to crops, while others consume nectar and help pollination. Some species are aggressive and attack when threatened. Unlike honey bees, wasps can sting multiple times.
Identifying The Problem & Control
BEES
Allergy
Bees can pose a real threat to members of your family if they are allergic as one sting can send them to the hospital due to the toxins in their venom.
Swarming
If a bee hive population becomes too large one of the queens will leave with a large number of worker bees that protect her until they can find a new location to nest. This swarming may be dangerous to your family or neighbors as the swarm will attack if threatened.
Stinging
Bee stings can be very painful and dangerous if many bees begin to attack as their venom becomes dangerous in high amounts.
Hive
Bee stings can be very painful and dangerous if many bees begin to attack as their venom becomes dangerous in high amounts.
WASPS
Stinging
Wasps, unlike honey bees, are more aggressive and can sting multiple times.
Nests
Wasp nests are a clear indication of wasps being present on the property. There may be hundreds of wasps depending on the size of the nest.