Although these two insects can be considered one in the same, knowing the difference between bees and wasps is essential for home and business owners. It's the first step in selecting the right pest prevention solution and is especially critical when dealing with possible allergic reactions.
Bees and wasps are both members of the Apoidea family, a group that has been on earth since the time of the dinosaurs. Today, there are thousands of species around the world and as many as 18,000 in North America alone.
Still, there are discernible differences between the two groups. Here's what you need to know:
Species like the honey bee or bumble bee can pose a serious risk to people, but these tend to be less aggressive than wasps. Usually these insects can be identified by plump, yellow and black stripped bodies that are often covered in fine hairs.
Bees are social animals that live in hives and work together to protect a queen and raise young. This group of insects is distinct from wasps because they gather nectar from plants, spreading pollen as they travel. According to the Guardian, 80 percent of flowering plants breed with the help of bees, other insects, birds and bats, and as such, these animals have a tremendous impact on food production around the world. Unfortunately, pesticide use and other issues have decimated bee populations in recent years.
For home and business owners, bees can still represent a nuisance. A single bee will die if it uses its stinger, and for that reason these bugs aren't as pugnacious as wasps. Still, if a bee feels threatened, or worse, that the colony or queen are in danger, it will attack.
The best bet is to remain peaceful and calm around bees, because frantic breathing can trigger a defensive response. Bees can be a peaceful part of your suburban garden, but otherwise a pest removal specialist can help take care of the problem safely.
Although many types of wasps are fearsome predators, the group is quite diverse and there are species that fill ecological niches as pollinators, parasites and other roles. In general, however, wasps should be given plenty of space and respect. Yellow-jackets, hornets and other types of wasp can be quite dangerous.
This is because unlike bees, wasps don't die after administering a sting. An individual can therefore dish out a considerable amount of pain and damage, and as a swarm, wasps become fearsome natural hazards.
As the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology reported, stinging insects can still cause serious reactions even outside of traditional anaphylactic shock. The venom from an individual sting is mild, but pheromones released trigger other wasps to join an attack, and a person or child can quickly become overwhelmed.
Unlike bees, wasps have smooth bodies and sharp thoraxes. They too live in colonies but also operate as individual hunters. Many species build nests out of mud and saliva that hang from trees or gutters. Other species will live underground or in a decaying stump or other protected area. As such, an unkempt yard or property could offer wasps an opportunity to find shelter and get settled.
Taking care of a bee or wasp nest on your own can be quite dangerous. Swarms of stinging insects can be overpowering, and protective clothing may not be enough to defend yourself from these bugs. And because of the risk of a serious allergic reaction, its best to leave the task of removing any bees or wasps to pest control professionals.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
Not every creature that visits your property is a dangerous nuisance. Many animals actually offer a number of benefits that keep your yard healthy. Predatory animals, in particular, actually offer natural pest control. Here are five common suburban creatures that can help keep more difficult or annoying animals at bay:
The customer is always right, and this is especially true if he or she is complaining about seeing a mouse or cockroach. Pests have no place in your organization, as bugs and rodents will turn away potential business or even lead to a possible lawsuit. Keeping your company protected requires a proactive approach. Work with a pest removal specialist to identify the best ways to stop creatures from infesting your business. Here are just a few ideas for successfully mitigating and preventing any issues:
You might see an influx of rodents at this time of year, because as the weather cools mice and rats seek warmth anywhere they can find it. Unfortunately, that often means inside residential homes. Many homes may experience rodent infestations at this time of year more than any other. Whether they're getting into your garage, basement or kitchen, it's important to put a stop to them before the problem becomes too serious and requires the intervention of a professional pest control agency.
Summer is almost here and before you head out on a family trip or even if you travel for work, consider doing a little research so you become familiar with bed bugs. This will help you identify them quickly and it could keep you from bringing them home unknowingly!
With the promise of summer also comes the promise of bugs. Homeowners have to stay vigilant, lest they find ants - or worse - rifling through their food.
You might've heard that cockroaches can survive a nuclear blast. If the worst should happen and the world succumbs to nuclear war, the cockroaches would reign supreme as the one and only organism left on earth. This hardly seems fair - consider how much time humans have spent trying to control cockroach populations. You might've chased one of them out of the bathroom this morning! So, if they really can withstand a nuclear blast, what chance do we have of managing cockroach infestations at home?
