Yellowjackets, hornets, wasps, or bees?

Warmer weather doesn’t only bring humans outside, it brings stinging pests such as yellowjackets, hornets, wasps, and bees. Not only do insect stings hurt, they can lead to more serious health concerns such as swelling, infection, nausea, and in the case of an extreme allergic reaction, even death.

At Yankee Pest Control, we SAFELY remove nests for homeowners, businesses, and schools. To avoid the risk of stings, call us at (781) 397-9923.

About stinging pests

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets are named for the yellow and black color pattern on their abdomens, though there are species that can have white or even red markings. They are similar to bees but are more noticeably segmented with a very small ‘waist’. During summer and fall, yellowjackets become numerous and may be persistent, unwelcome guests at picnics, where they scavenge for food.

While adult yellowjackets feed on sugary substances such as flower nectar, fruit, and soda, when they are in the larval stage, they feed on protein, so workers bring insects and other types of meat back to the nest. This fact actually makes yellowjackets an important part of garden pest control and not the pest most people view them as.

Yellowjackets are slow to sting, but territorial. If the entrance to their nest is approached, they will sting and can sting multiple times.

Hornets

European hornets are much larger than yellowjackets. They have brown bodies with yellow stripes on their abdomens, pale faces, two pairs of wings, and six legs. Unlike most stinging insects, they can be active at night, usually appearing in late summer.

Hornets live in colonies of between 200-400 members. They prey on large insects such as grasshoppers, flies, yellowjackets, and honeybees. Because of that, they can help to control insects that would otherwise become pests. They also eat tree sap, fruit, and honeydew.

Hornets nest in hollow trees, barns, out-buildings, hollow walls of houses, attics, and abandoned beehives. Their nests are usually covered in a brown envelope made of cellulose from decayed wood.

They sting to subdue prey or protect their colony and can sting repeatedly.

Wasps

The most common wasp in New England is the paper wasp, so-called for the paper-like material out of which they make their nests. Each of the known paper wasp species are mostly brown with some yellowish coloring but can also have different bands of colors and markings. They have six legs, two wings, and antennae.

Paper wasp nests look like they are made of paper. They hang from objects like tree branches, shrubs, porch ceilings, the tops of window and doorframes, soffits, eaves, attic rafters, deck floor joists, railing, and more. The nest has open uncovered cells where eggs are laid.

Paper wasps will sting if their nest is threatened or disturbed.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees get their name from their habit of boring into wood, which can cause damage to structures. 

While similar to bumble bees, carpenter bees lack the yellow markings on their abdomen, which are smooth and shiny. Depending on the species, they may have a patch of yellow hair on their thorax.

Unlike other common bees that live in colonies, carpenter bees build individual nests in trees, frames, eaves, or sides of buildings. Wood structures such as decks and fences are also prone to carpenter bee infestation.

Pest control for yellowjackets, wasps, hornets, and bees

Getting stung by a yellow jacket, wasp or any other type of stinging insect not only can be painful, but also life-threatening to anyone who is allergic. 

Call Yankee Pest Control at (781) 397-9923 for proper removal and to avoid the risk of stings.