Identifying Bee and Wasp Nests

While bees and wasps have many physical similarities, their impact on your health, yard and ecosystem varies by species. The nests of these pests can help identify which of these flying fiends are buzzing around your home and allow for proper removal of nests in your yard.

Painful Stings

Bees and wasps can leave painful stings on unexpecting victims. These stings can not only leave you and your family itching for hours but can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Stings can cause welts or an elevated skin surface around the sting site and leave a central white spot where the stinger punctured the skin. Toxic reactions may also occur when there are multiple stings and there is an excessive amount of venom in the body.

While some species are more aggressive than others, it is important to leave any nests undisturbed and contact a professional to determine removal strategies. Disturbing a nest can cause colony members to attack in defense of their colony.

Identifying Bee and Wasp Nests

Bumblebees
Bumblebees are not overly aggressive and rarely sting unless disturbed or threatened. These resourceful bees build nests that typically contain far fewer members than honey bees.

STRUCTURE: More disorganized than honey bee nests

MATERIALS USED: Dry grass or plant material surrounded by wax cells

LOCATION: Dry, protected, and hidden cavities below ground, on or near ground level, such as:

• Rodent tunnels
• Structural voids
• Piles of leaves
• Abandoned bird nests

Honey Bees
Although one of the most popular bees, honey bees only represent a small percent of bee species and build nests to produce and store honey.

STRUCTURE: Impressively large nests made of six-sided tubes that create honey combs

MATERIALS USED: Wax bonded to honey comb cells

LOCATION: Areas that scout bees believe are appropriate for their colony, such as:

• Inside tree cavities
• Under edges of objects
• On rock crevices

Carpenter Bees
These excavators feed on plant pollen and nectar and are known for their ability to construct nests in wooden structures.

STRUCTURE: Excavated galleries made up of tunnels with a round, drill hole-size entrance

MATERIALS USED: Wood pulp, sticks, twigs

LOCATION: Dry, unpainted, and weathered wooden objects, particularly:

• Railings
• Roof eaves
• Window sills
• Doors
• Decks
• Fences

Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets are wasps that eat grubs, flies, and other pests. Although they are often mistaken for bees, their nests vary greatly in appearance.

Hornets
When hornets perceive threats near their hives, they become aggressive and can deliver painful stings. For this reason, it is important to safely remove any nests on your property.

STRUCTURE: Ball-shaped and made of gray, paper-like material

MATERIALS USED: Saliva, wood pulp

LOCATION: Areas with plenty of shade and protection from the elements, such as:

• Trees
• Bushes
• Eaves
• Roofs

Mud Daubers
These long, thin wasps are solitary insects that are experts at building nests from mud.

Paper Wasps
Also known as umbrella wasps, paper wasps’ nests do not have an outer shell and often look like an umbrella.

STRUCTURE: Single-layered, papery nests with numerous compartments

MATERIALS USED: Saliva and plant material

LOCATION: Attached to exterior home surfaces, such as:

• Fences
• Branches
• Twigs
• Eaves
• Door and window frames
• Any crack, gap, or sheltered place like gas grills, play sets, and mailboxes

Bee Gone, Bees and Wasps

Pollinators like honey bees are protected, as they are crucial for the ecosystem. Having a professional safely remove bee and wasp nests is essential to protect these pests and leave your property pest free. To prevent bees and wasps from making their next nest in your yard:

• Clean up all spills around your property immediately
• Cover outdoor trash cans with a tight-fitting lid
• Plant flowers and fruit trees away from heavily trafficked areas
• Paint, stain and weather-treat wooden structures like railings
• Remove debris from the yard

Don’t let bees and wasps be the buzz around your home. Download this guide on identifying bee and wasp nests or talk to your pest management provider for an inspection and proper nest removal.