When you're being chased by a buzzing yellow insect with wings, determining which type of bee it is is probably the last thing you're thinking about. However, as spring brings warmer weather and lovely flowers, it will also welcome pollinating bees. When this happens, you're going to want to know how to prevent each type of bee from invading your property.
Although the two types of bees look very similar, the carpenter bees are slightly larger and the upper area of their abdomens are shiny black and bare, according to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. The bumble bee is more colorful, with several yellow, black and sometimes orange markings and bits of hair. Similar to honey bees, bumble bees feed on plant nectar and pollen and are good pollinators themselves. Although they are known to cause damage to wood, carpenter bees do not eat it. In fact, they also feed on plant nectar and pollen.
Perhaps the biggest - or at least most recognizable - difference between the two types of bees is their nesting habits. According to Jack DeAngelis, PhD., of Living With Bugs, bumble bees nest in relatively small colonies, typically in the rich, ground soil. In these colonies, the work is divided amongst the bees - hence the term "worker bees" or, "busy bees." Carpenter bees on the other hand, are solitary beings and build their own nests by excavating tunnels in the wood of homes and structures. They can cause damage to trim, doors and window sills. However, female carpenter bees may tend to choose softer wood such as fir trees in areas that are in the direct sunlight.
While the male carpenter bees are very aggressive, their bark is bigger than their bite. It is actually the female carpenter bee that can cause a painful sting as the male does not even have a stinger, reported the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Exactly like the carpenter bees, female bumble bees - sometimes know as queen bees - are much more dominate than the males. Female queen bees are twice as large as male bumble bees and worker bees, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension. These queen bees can inflict a nasty sting, unlike their male counterparts. Because they live near homes, carpenter bees are more likely to call for preventative measures. With bumble bees, people often only have to deal with them if or when they get stung.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
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:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
