Bumblebees, honey bees, hornets, paper wasps and yellow jackets may look alike from a distance, but their impact on your health, your yard and the ecosystem varies by species. Knowing how to recognize each species’ nest can help identify which of these buzzing insects are making themselves at home in your backyard – and allow for safe removal of any nests on your property. 

Download our comprehensive guide to identifying bee and wasp nests, or watch this quick video tutorial to learn how to spot them effectively.

Common Types of Bees

While some bee and wasp species are more aggressive than others, it is important to leave their nests undisturbed and contact a professional to determine the best bee or wasp nest removal strategies. Disturbing a bee or wasp’s nest can cause colony members to attack in defence of their colony.

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: Less structured than honey bee nests. Size and shape varies depending on species but smaller than that of honeybees. Outer layer is enclosed in nesting material by a structure of wax and nectar.

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

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

  • Rodent tunnels
  • Structural voids
  • Piles of leaves
  • Tree cavities
  • 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 wax cells that create honeycombs, filled with nectar and pollen.

MATERIALS USED: Wax bonded to form honeycomb cells.

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

  • Inside tree cavities
  • Under edges of objects
  • In rock crevices
  • In dense canopy tree branches 
  • Voids and cavities inside structures

Carpenter Bees

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

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

MATERIALS USED: Wood pulp used to seal up gallery enclosing nest cell.

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

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

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, multiple layered six-sided  cells combs with a papery outer layer envelope with one single entrance.   

MATERIALS USED: Saliva mixed with wood pulp/wood fiber.

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

  • Trees
  • Bushes
  • Eaves
  • Roofs

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. 

STRUCTURE: Round, size varies depending on species, made of wood fiber, paper -like material,  round  cell combs, multiple layers, each layer enclosed into papery envelope interconnected to the next layer.

MATERIALS USED: Saliva mixed with wood pulp/wood fiber.

LOCATION: Various locations depending on species. Can include:

  • Underground in abandoned burrows or natural cavities/holes
  • Inside and on structure voids, cavities or enclosed and protected sites, eaves
  • In tree cavities or in branches, bushes, shrubs

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 six-sided celled combs , no outer papery envelope, cells exposed, single stalked.

MATERIALS USED: Saliva mixed with wood pulp/wood fiber.

LOCATION: Attached to exterior home surfaces or structures, such as:

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

Painful Bee & Wasp Stings

Bees and wasps can leave painful stings on unsuspecting victims. These stings can not only leave you and your family itching for hours, but can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Bee 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. Here’s more on wasp nests and wasp prevention.

Bee Gone, Bees and Wasps with Bee Pest Control

Pollinators like honey bees are beneficial, as they are crucial for agriculture and the ecosystem. Having an Orkin Pro 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
  • Seal cracks and crevices from the exterior wall of the house.
  • Use a decoy nest hanging away from the building structure to draw them away from the house.

Don’t let bees and wasps buzz around your home. Read Orkin Canada’s Ultimate Guide to Understanding Wasps or contact an Orkin Pro for an inspection and proper bee or wasp nest removal.