As the spring and summer months bring warmer temperatures and more outdoor activity, so too arises the battle of buzzing: bees versus yellow jackets. Almost everyone has experienced the pain of being stung by these two common insects, so it’s important to be aware of the differences between bees and yellow jackets in order to protect yourself and your loved ones. Let’s take a closer look at buzzing and biting with the battle of bees vs. yellow jackets!
1. Stinging Scoundrels: A Tale of Two Insects
At first glance, the two creatures appear to have little in common – one is a stream dwelling bumblebee; the other, a flitting daddy long-legs spider. And yet, both share the same struggle – they are reviled as minor nuisances, and are often considered pests.
The beetle buzzes around searching for any source of nectar it can find in a frantic attempt to feed its hive, while the spider periodically lowers itself on a web strung between reeds and wild grass, oblivious to the animosity it receives.
- The Beetle: Though often confused with a honeybee, the bumblebee is a much more gentle creature. Fuzzy and rounded, its bright yellow and black stripes stand out against the dull and murky stream.
- The Spider: Harmless and timid, the daddy long-legs spider can often be seen delicately hanging from its web awaiting its next meal. While you may feel a slight shudder when it crawls past, in reality the spider is more likely to be a prey than a predator.
It’s true, the scoundrels can be annoying. They may tickle our fingertips as they buzz and scurry, and they may disturb the stillness of our morning walks along the riverbanks. But, perhaps, the next time you come upon one these two stinging scoundrels, you may regard them with a hint of admiration.
2. Danger vs. Annoyance: Examining the Risks of Bees and Yellow Jackets
Intrusive buzzing, painful stings, mysterious hives – bees and yellow jackets can cause discomfort and havoc in outdoor spaces. It’s important to know the difference between the two species and how they interact with the environment.
Bees
Generally speaking, bees are quite mellow compared to yellow jackets. Bee stings can be painful, but most won’t sting you unless provoked or protecting their nest. Unless you’re severely allergic to bee venom, getting stung isn’t life threatening. Bees are also a helpful species in gardening and farming, as they pollinate and help crops grow.
Yellow Jackets
- Large clusters of yellow jackets tend to build nests in ground crevices or bushes
- Individual stingers aren’t very powerful, but they can attack in large numbers
- Stings can cause redness, swelling, and extreme burning pain
- The insects are attracted to sweet foods and garbage
If you find a yellow jacket nest near your living space, call a professional immediately. In severe cases, yellow jackets can be deadly if someone is allergic to their sting. So, it’s important to keep an eye out for yellow jacket encounters.
3. Pestilent Pests: A Summertime Scourge
When summer arrives, so do a host of annoying, perhaps dangerous, pests. From vicious mosquitos that can cause malaria and dengue, to ants and cockroaches that scuttle in and out of your kitchen, to pesky flies that seem to protect your food, the warm season often brings a flurry of bothersome bugs.
- Mosquitos – transmitting such illnesses as malaria, West Nile virus and Zika virus, keep yourself and your family safe by utilizing insect repellent whenever you’re outdoors. Install window and door screens and, if necessary, hire a pest control service.
- Ants and cockroaches – while they may not transmit diseases, they can cause skin rashes and allergies. If you see these little critters in your home, be sure to take immediate action by sealing all food items, cleaning and vacuuming, and using exterminator approved baits and sprays.
- Flies, flies, flies – not only do these pesky pests your food, they can also spread bacteria and viruses. Be vigilant and keep food covered, clean up messes as soon as possible and make sure to keep your windows and doors closed.
Don’t let these pestilent pests ruin your summer fun. Reduce their numbers and prevent them from entering your home with simple, everyday measures. Sealing food properly, regularly cleaning and vacuuming your home, installing door and window screens and using insect repellent whenever you’re outside are all great ways to keep those pesky bugs at bay.
4. Wasp Wars: Balancing the Benefits and Hazards of Intruding Invaders
Having an understanding of what wasps are and why they are important is essential when it comes to considering their role in our environment. While it may be tempting to write off these creatures as nothing more than annoying, even dangerous intruders, there is no denying that they can have some surprisingly good uses.
For one, wasps play an important role in the ecosystem. They are predators, preying on other insects that are considered harmful to the environment. They also help to pollinate crops, thus aiding in our food production.
Unfortunately, wasps also have downsides that must be taken into account. Wasps can be territorial and will aggressively defend their nests. In some cases, they have even been known to attack livestock and humans, which can be dangerous.
Lastly, they can build their nests in unwanted places and cause damage to structures. With wasp numbers on the rise, figuring out how to effectively manage their populations is essential to making sure everyone and everything stays safe.
The key to managing wasps is understanding the difference between beneficial and harmful species, and how to tell the two apart. Knowing when to intervene and when to leave them alone is also necessary for a successful wasp war.
Understanding the plight of these creatures, as well as their potential benefits and hazards, is key to finding the balance between keeping people, animals, and plants safe, simultaneously protecting native ecosystems and preserving the integrity of our environment.
5. Flutter or Fury: Identifying the Types of Bees and Wasps
With bees and wasps being a common sight outdoors, it’s easy to confuse the two. Thankfully, with a little knowledge, it’s easy to identify the characteristics that make each one unique.
Flutter by: Identifying a Bee
Bees are typically identified by black and yellow bands that adorn their bodies. They have smooth and rounded abdomens, a pair of clear wings, and are endowed with plump cheeks that make them look like they’re always smiling.
As pollinators, bees harvest nectar from flowers to create honey. They possess a ‘buzzy’ quality when they fly, which can make them sound quite different from wasps. Bees are also more docile, rarely stinging unless provoked.
Fury of a Wasp
Wasp differ in several ways. While bees typically have yellow and black bodies, wasps have black and yellow antennae, and their bodies are generally more defined in structure than a bee. Further, wasps have slenderer waists and pointier abdomens compared to bees.
Wasps prefer protein-rich sustenance over nectar, usually in the form of insects. They are often more aggressive than bees, and will sting in response to a perceived threat. The buzzing noise they produce is also louder than a bee’s.
Ultimately, understanding how to differentiate between bees and wasps is the key to effectively avoiding any encounters. While bees can be beneficial in agriculture, wasps should be avoided and dealt with by professionals when possible.
6. Hive or Prairie: Locating Hornet Hotspots
Finding the perfect spot to observe a hornet swarm can be both fun and challenging. It also depends on the type of habitat you’re searching for. Here’s how to distinguish between a hive and a prairie to uncover some of the best places to spot a hornet in the wild.
Hive – A hive is a large cluster of hornets living in an enclosed space such as the hollow of a tree or an attic of a house. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon one, you’ll likely see hundreds or even thousands of them emergence from the nest in an orderly fashion.
Prairie – Prairie habitats are a great place to find hornets in the wild. You can expect to observed thousands of them warmly buzzing in the air, as they busily move from flower to flower seeking nectar.
Whether you’re searching for a hive or a prairie, here are some tips to keep in mind to locate hornet hotspots:
- Look for places where hornet activity is at its peak during the day, such as near hollows of trees and other similar areas which serve as homes for the hornets.
- Keep an eye out for the presence of flowering plants and other sources of nectar; these areas are where hornets gather for food.
- Be aware of the prevailing wind currents in an area; this will help you predict where the hornets will be flying to next, which is an invaluable asset in finding Hornet hotspots.
- Watch out for any wasps or bees in the area; they’re likely to be in close vicinity to the hornet nests.
By keeping these tips in mind and actively looking for signs, you’ll be able to spot a hive or prairie and locate hornet hotspots in no time!
7. Stingers and Fliers: What to Do About Bees and Hornets
When you find yourself faced with a bee or a hornet buzzing near you, it’s best to remain still and stay calm. Panicking will only make the situation worse and is likely to agitate the insect. Don’t swat at it, as this often causes the bee or hornet to prepare to attack; rather, move yourself away slowly and steadily. Here are a few action steps to take should you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with a stinger or flier:
- If indoors, close access to the area and open any windows nearby. This allows the insect to escape safely outside.
- From a safe distance, observe the insect’s movement. This can give you a better idea of what steps need to be taken to ensure its safe exit from the premises.
- If possible, contact a professional to remove the bee or hornet for you — this will give you the peace of mind of knowing the insect has been successfully removed and is in safe hands.
If the insect is a bee, there is an additional factor to consider. Worker bees live in hives, and if one enters a building, chances are good that it is looking for a place to relocate the hive. If this is the case, you will likely end up with a full-fledged bee family in the near future. At this point, it is best to actively take steps to move the bees out and block their entrance to make sure no more come in their place.
8. Saving the Day: How You Can Help Both Bees and Wasps
Bee Stations are the Way!
Bee stations have become increasingly popular around the world over the last few years, providing a safe haven for pollinators, such as bees and wasps. These stations can be built with a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, or even cardboard. Best of all, many materials can be sourced from recycling efforts and local DIY stores, which can keep costs low.
Creating your own bee station is relatively simple and is a great way to make sure these vital pollinators have a constant supply of food and shelter. Put simply, make sure to include:
- A container with a sealed lid to keep it insect-proof,
- Shelves or nesting material for the bees and wasps to rest and protect them from the elements,
- A water source, such as a shallow dish or sponge, and
- A variety of flowers plants that each flower at different times of the year, so that there is always food available.
Another great way to help bee and wasp populations is to avoid using pesticides. Pesticides can slowly poison bees and wasps, so it’s important to look for non-chemical alternatives for controlling pest populations. Additionally, leaving grass uncut can give these insects a safer place to nest in your garden.
Finally, make sure to spread the word! Educating people on the importance of bees and wasps is one of the best ways to ensure their populations get the protection they need.
We have come to the end of our battle of bees vs. yellow jackets. We have seen that these two species are more similar than they are different and that these buzzers and biters of the summer skies can be both friends and foes. Remember to keep your eyes open during your summer adventures to see the wonderful behavior of bees and yellow jackets, and don’t forget to be thankful for their hard work in the air!
