Why Wasps Are Not to Be Confused With Bees

Wasps bring out the worst in people. They have a mean sting and an attitude to match. Unfortunately, many individuals can’t tell the difference between a wasp and a bee, so they go around exterminating everything that resembles a wasp. It’s unfortunate since bees are beneficial to the ecosystem. They play a significant role in pollinating crops and produce honey as well. Before hastily spraying a possible wasp problem, take the time to educate yourself on if they are indeed wasps and not bees.

Making the Distinction Between Wasps or Bees

Bees are often mistaken for wasps since they are similar in appearance. However, with a little bit of knowledge, it’s easy to tell them apart. Bees and wasps resemble each other in shape and coloring, but wasps have distinct black and yellow bands around their abdomen, whereas bees are a more subtle yellowish-brown color. Bees are also hairy, which helps them collect pollen. Wasps are shiny and bald, and without any hair on their legs and body, they are far less efficient pollinators than bees. Before hiring pest control professionals to remove wasps from a property, please be sure that the bothersome culprits are not bees.

Bees and Wasps Have Different Types of Nests

Several species of bees are often mistaken for wasps. Masonry bees are skilled pollinators who are very beneficial in orchards and commercial crops. They use mud to build nests in gaps between stones or rocks. Bumblebees harvest nectar from flowering plants and don’t swarm like other bees. They tend to live in small groups and make their homes underground. Honey bees are very social and reside together in large numbers. They build their nests up high in dark cavities, such as hollowed-out trees or an attic overhang. A honey bee’s nest can survive for several years, unlike other bees who make new nests every year. An interesting fact about honey bees is that they are the only insect that produces food which humans consume. Unlike a bee’s nest, a wasp nest has a paper-like consistency. Wasps build nests out of chewed wood and use a single hole for an entryway. If a wasp nest is in a less than desirable location, it should be removed by a professional. A wasp sting hurts tremendously, and if one wasp attacks, others will follow suit.

Wasps Serve a Purpose, Too

Wasps are limited in how much they can pollinate. However, they are voracious predators that feed on insects, such as spiders, caterpillars, and flies. It’s a fact that they are so good at killing off unwanted insects that farmers welcome their presence in many cases. While wasps have a less than desirable reputation for stinging people, they only sting when they feel threatened or are under attack. However, it doesn’t take much to provoke a wasp, so it’s best to stay away from these easily angered insects. If a nest requires removal services, a trained technician is the best place to start.

Yellow-jacket wasps are only about 1/2 inch long, but that doesn’t stop them from being super aggressive. Once a wasp uses its stinger, it dies. The same goes for most bees, except for the honey bee who can sting multiple times without dying. All bees and wasps contribute to pollination, but bees are far superior in the quantity they can handle.

Wasps and Bees Are Not the Same

Wasps and bees have many similarities, but they are also very different. Each has a distinctive purpose. Wasps eat predatory insects, but bees are the number one pollinating insect in the world. Without bees, the number of crops produced worldwide would be much smaller.