Bee Facts & Identification
Protect Your Home or Business from Bees and Wasps
Common Bees & Wasps in East Tennessee
Honeybees
*sometimes stings
Honey bees, although one of the most popular bees, represent only a small percent of bee species. These bees establish colonies in walls or attics. They are covered in brownish fuzz with black stripes that aren’t as distinct as those on wasps or hornets. Honey bees are commonly found in gardens, orchards, and fields, as well as around flowering plants in residential areas. Honey bees build their hives in hollow trees, rock crevices, and man-made structures like beekeeping boxes or occasionally inside walls or attics.
Carpenter Bees
*stings
These bees are large, black, and yellow. They drill holes into wood to lay eggs, and do not live in nests and colonies like other bees. While they don’t eat wood, their tunneling can cause structural damage over time. Male carpenter bees may appear aggressive as they hover near their nests, but they lack stingers, while females can sting but rarely do. You’ll find them in your decks, siding, eaves, or fences.
Bumble bees
*sometimes stings
Bumble bees have a hairy, black and yellow body. Unlike carpenter bees, their abdomens are covered in hair. They nest in the ground, and also in soffits or attics. They are social insects that live in underground nests, abandoned rodent burrows, or dense grass and compost piles. Bumble bees are excellent pollinators, playing a crucial role in supporting local plant life and agriculture. While they can sting multiple times if threatened, they are generally not aggressive unless their nest is disturbed.
Yellow Jacket
*stings
Yellow jackets are a type of wasp, usually found nesting in wall voids, attics, crawlspaces, or even underground near buildings. They have sleek black and bright yellow bodies, and a smooth, shiny exoskeleton. They build paper-like nests underground, in wall voids, or in hollow trees, often becoming a problem in late summer and fall. Yellow jackets are highly aggressive, especially when defending their nests, and can sting multiple times. They are attracted to trash cans or outdoor food areas.
Paper Wasps
*stings
Paper wasps have a reddish body and yellow wings. They build open, umbrella-shaped nests from a papery material, often found under eaves, in attics, on porch ceilings, or in other sheltered areas. While they are less aggressive than yellow jackets, they will defend their nests if disturbed and can sting multiple times. Paper wasps are beneficial pollinators and help control pest insects, but their nests near homes and businesses can be dangerous.
Bald Faced Hornets
*stings
Bald-faced hornets are large, black-and-white wasps that are actually a type of yellow jacket. They build large, gray, paper-like nests that can be found hanging from trees, shrubs, eaves, or utility poles. These hornets are highly territorial and will aggressively defend their nests, delivering multiple painful stings if threatened. Despite their aggressive nature, they play a role in controlling pest insect populations. Their nests grow significantly in size by late summer and should be removed with caution.
What is the difference between a bee and a wasp?
Bees vs. Wasps
Bees and wasps are both insects that belong to the same order, Hymenoptera, but they differ in several key ways. Bees, like honey bees and bumblebees, are generally hairy, which helps them collect pollen as they pollinate plants. They are primarily herbivores, feeding on nectar and pollen, and play a crucial role in pollination, which makes them essential to ecosystems and agriculture. Bees have a more rounded, stocky body, and most species are less aggressive, with many, like honey bees, only stinging in self-defense, often dying after a sting.
Wasps, on the other hand, have smooth, shiny bodies with few or no hairs, making them less effective at pollinating. They are usually more slender and have a more defined “waist” between their thorax and abdomen. Wasps are more aggressive than bees and are capable of stinging multiple times, as they don’t lose their stinger after use. Many wasps, like yellow jackets and paper wasps, are carnivorous, feeding on other insects or scavenging for food. While they can also contribute to controlling pests, they can be more of a nuisance, especially when they nest near human activity.
How Do I get Rid Of Bees and Wasps?
Bee and Wasp Prevention
Getting rid of bees and wasps usually requires professional help. For bees, it’s best to contact a pest control service that specializes in safe relocation, especially if they are honey bees. Beekeepers can often relocate the colony without harm. If the nest is in a hard-to-reach place, like inside a wall, pest control professionals like Pest Ops will have the tools to remove them safely without causing harm to the bees.
For wasps, like yellow jackets and paper wasps, you can take action yourself, but it is not recommended. Be sure to proceed with caution, if the nest is visible and easily accessible, wear protective clothing and use a wasp spray that is designed for nest elimination, typically in the evening when the wasps are less active. If the nest is large or located in a dangerous area, such as under eaves or in a tree, it’s best to call a professional pest control service to handle removal. Always avoid disturbing nests during the daytime, as wasps are more aggressive and will defend their nests if they feel threatened.
How To Tell If You Have A Carpenter Bee Infestation
Carpenter Bees in Knoxville
Typically, the first sign that you have an infestation is seeing the bees flying around your property. However, another way to tell is seeing piles of sawdust below where they drilled to form nests. Carpenter bees often leave yellowish stains from their excrement near the entry points. There will also be perfectly round holes, about half an inch in diameter, drilled into wood surfaces like decks, eaves, or fences.
When Do Bees and wasps become active?
BEe & Wasp season
Bees and wasps in East Tennessee are most active during the warmer months, typically from spring to early fall. Bees, including carpenter bees and bumblebees, are especially active in spring and summer when flowers are in bloom and they are busy foraging for nectar and pollen. As the weather cools in the fall, bee activity decreases, but they may still be seen in warmer pockets on sunny days.
Wasps, such as yellow jackets and paper wasps, are most active during late summer and early fall when their colonies are at their largest. During this time, they are more aggressive as they search for food to sustain the colony before it dies off in the winter. Wasps tend to be less active during the winter months when they enter a dormant state, although queens may emerge in early spring to start new colonies.