Eicher
Bee Removal & Handyman Services
Types of Bees
What Type of Bee Are You Dealing With?
Bumblebees
Bumblebees are often recognized by their black and yellow striped hair, although they can also be orange, red, or black. Like honeybees, bumblebees gather pollen and form colonies, but their colonies are typically smaller than those of the honeybee. Bumblebees frequently make their nests in the ground, using the abandoned nests of birds or rodents.
Honey Bees
Even though honeybees aren’t native to the U.S., they are an important part of U.S. agriculture. Honeybees are non-aggressive, and will only sting if provoked. They are the only type of bee that produces honey, and within their colonies, they each have specific roles such as guards or foragers. The queen bee can live for several years while the worker bees may only live for several months, depending on the time of year.
Carpenter Bees
The carpenter bee is a social insect found in most parts of the world. They are known for being able to drill through wood and make a nest inside the hole. Amazingly, these bees are incredibly consistent and the holes they drill are nearly always the same size. Carpenter bees look similar to the bumblebee, but unlike the bumblebee, their abdomen is not hairy.
Mason Bees
Mason bees are the easiest type of bee to raise. Although they don’t make honey, they do a great job of pollinating, and are even considered more efficient in pollinating than the honeybee. Male mason bees don’t have a stinger, and though the females do have a stinger, they are non-aggressive and will only sting if they are trapped or threatened. Mason bees can come in various colors and sizes, but are often dark-colored or metallic blue or green.
Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets are sometimes mistaken for bees, but are actually a type of wasp. They are typically yellow and black, but can also be white, black, or red. Unlike bees, yellow jackets tend to sting repeatedly and are more aggressive. Their venom is not dangerous unless you are allergic, but if you happen to step on a nest, you may be stung by a swarm of yellow jackets.
Wasps
Wasps are typically divided into two categories of social or solitary. They’re known for building their nests in a variety of places such as attached to the side of walls, underground, or on trees. Wasps will attack humans, especially if they’re threatened, so it’s important to stay away from wasp nests.
Cicada Killers
Cicada killers are wasps that build their nests in the ground. They’re not usually aggressive and don’t sting unless they’re threatened or stepped on. The female cicada killers do have stingers they use to paralyze cicadas, but they’re not used on humans. This type of wasp burrows in the ground and frequently builds their nest in soil or clay.
