Updated On 10/12/2024
When you see a yellow and black striped flying insect, it can be difficult to tell if it’s a bee or a wasp. While it might not seem important, the difference between the two is vital for pest control experts like Pest-Tech.
Throughout the year, but particularly in the summer months, we often receive numerous calls for wasp nest removal, when in reality, the insect in question is often a bee. Bees are critically endangered, and as environmental stewards, we all have a responsibility to remove them humanely.
Unfortunately, some pest control companies still opt to exterminate bees. Before hiring a company to remove a bee nest, we strongly encourage you to read this article. We will cover the following topics:
- Identification
- Recognising a bumblebee
- Differentiating bees and wasps
- Identifying a hornet
- What to do if you find bees, wasps or hornets nesting on your property
Here’s a quick overview to begin so you can quickly identify the insect you’re dealing with and tell the difference between wasps and bees.
Wasp:
- Bold yellow and black striped body.
- Smooth, hairless appearance.
- Stinging insects that are highly aggressive.
- Nests are often found in lofts, with a constant flow of wasps entering and leaving.
- Attracted to light and may buzz around lights in the loft.
- Appears from June to November, with workers growing larger as the season progresses.
- A wasp nest looks like it’s made from paper on the outside, with a small hole in the centre.
Bees:
- Honey bees: Golden-yellow and tan-brown stripes, with a fuzzy, hairy body.
- Bumblebees: Predominantly black and fluffy with yellow stripes and varying tail colours.
- Generally docile and less aggressive, and only sting when threatened.
- Honey bees may swarm, often nesting in cavities, chimneys, or walls.
- Bumblebees nest in various places, including loft insulation, the ground, or bird boxes.
- Worker bees have pollen sacs on their rear legs for collecting pollen.
- Bee hives have hexagonal cells and often look like large pieces of honeycomb.
Identifying Bees
Incredibly, the UK is home to over 250 species of bees. For the purposes of this article, we will concentrate on the two most common types: the honey bee and the bumblebee.
Honey Bees
Honey bees are characterised by their golden-yellow and tan-brown stripes. While the specific body colour can vary depending on the species, generally, they have black bodies with distinct bands ranging from dark to light. It’s important not to confuse them with feral honey bees, which tend to have duller, dirty brown and black stripes, lacking the golden hue.
The key difference between them is that honey bees are covered in fine hairs across their back and body, giving them a fuzzy appearance. Additionally, worker honey bees have pollen sacs on their rear legs, which they use to collect pollen as they move from plant to plant.
Another way to determine if the stinging insects causing you trouble are honey bees is to observe if they are swarming, as wasps do not swarm. Nests are typically found in places like cavity walls, under roof tiles, or, most commonly, in chimneys. Honey bees build their nests to fit the available space, but they can outgrow these areas, which may lead them to swarm.
Chimneys are particularly attractive to honey bees because they offer ample space for the colony to expand. If you have an open fireplace and notice a swarm entering your chimney, the best immediate action is to light a fire. This may encourage the bees to move on before they have the opportunity to establish a nest and start building honeycomb.
Bumblebees
Like honey bees, bumblebees come in a variety of species. However, for the purposes of this article, we will focus on the key characteristics to help you accurately identify a bumblebee when consulting with a professional.
Bumblebees are quite easy to recognise. They are predominantly black and fluffy, with yellow stripes and tails that can vary in colour. Their size can range significantly, with some bumblebees being quite large, though you’ll typically find a mix of sizes within a single nest. A common sign that you have a bumblebee nest is seeing males buzzing around outside the nest on warm days. This often occurs at the roof gutter level, as bumblebees frequently nest in the insulation of lofts. They are also known for being “crawlers,” sometimes walking up to two metres to reach their nest.
Bumblebees are generally very docile, unlike wasps, and are not likely to sting unless they feel seriously threatened, as stinging is fatal for them. However, they will defend their nest if necessary, so it’s important not to disturb or provoke them. Bumblebees may build nests in unusual locations, such as in the ground, bird boxes, or cavity walls with access holes.
Identifying Wasps
When comparing bees and wasps, wasps are far more aggressive and have a distinctly fierce appearance, characterised by their bold yellow and black striped bodies. Furthermore, a wasp sting can be very serious for those who are allergic. In the UK, there are approximately 2500 species of wasp, but the most prevalent is the common wasp. Common wasps are often called yellow jackets. Hornets are also technically a type of wasp and are often confused with bees.
Wasps
Wasps and bees look different as wasps lack body hair, and their striking yellow colour contrasts sharply with the black on their bodies, making them stand out even more. Wasps also behave differently; unlike bees, which buzz around the outside of their nests and often hover, you’ll notice a steady stream of wasps coming and going with clear intent. Wasps don’t swarm but fly in lines or alone, so if you notice a swarm or large gathering of insects, it will be bees.
Wasps typically start appearing around June or July and remain active until November, although there are occasional exceptions. Early in the season, the worker wasps are smaller in size, gradually increasing in size as the season progresses. Wasps commonly build their nests in lofts, and if you turn on a light in a loft where a wasp nest is present, they will often be attracted and buzz around the light. Common wasp stings can be very dangerous, and they can sting multiple times, so take extreme caution when trying to inspect.
Hornets
The European Hornet is easily recognisable due to its impressive size, typically about an inch long. Although they can be intimidating, especially with the loud buzzing noise they produce, they are not as aggressive as wasps. European Hornets have brown bodies with yellow stripes on their abdomens, brown legs, and two prominent antennae atop their heads. Despite their somewhat menacing appearance, they are generally less aggressive than wasps.
Hornets are highly attracted to light, so if you have a hornet’s nest nearby, you might notice them flying towards windows at night, which can be quite alarming given their size. Although you might think hornets have more venom than bees, their stings are less potent than those of bees. Even though they don’t have a barbed stinger like a bee, hornets are much larger, meaning that their stings are incredibly painful. If you are around a hornet, try to stay calm to avoid a painful sting.
One species to be aware of is the Asian Hornet, which has recently started appearing in the UK. It’s important to note that if you spot what you believe to be an Asian Hornet, you should report it immediately. Asian Hornets pose a significant threat to our honey bee populations and can decimate a swarm of bees within days. Asian hornets have yellow back legs and dark stripes. If you see one, don’t kill it, but report it using the Asian Hornet Watch App or email alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.
The Difference Between Bees And Wasps: A Quick Conclusion
This article should provide you with the information you need to identify bees and wasps, allowing us to offer the most appropriate solution to your pest problem. Whether you need us to rehome a swarm of bees or safely remove a wasp nest, our goal is to ensure your environment is safe and secure while also protecting the local habitat and its pollinators.
Unfortunately, bee populations are declining in the UK. This is due to a range of factors, including other insects, a reduction in habitat due to humans and the rise of chemical insecticide use. Also, bees are considered less dangerous to humans because they will only sting when they feel threatened, and they can only sting once before they die. Wasps can sting multiple times and making honey isn’t something they are able to do. While they do play a role in their local ecosystem, large wasp colonies can cause issues, and since they only use their nests once, these can become sites for other vermin and lead to serious problems for property owners.
If you have a honey bee swarm trying to settle in a bird box or need expert assistance, Pest-Tech is here to help. We specialise in the treatment of wasps and the safe rehoming of bees so that we can support the environment and reduce the impact these insects have on your home or business. Operating throughout Maidstone and Kent, we can help you protect you from painful stings. To find out how we can assist you, whether it’s removing a wasp nest or relocating a bee hive, contact us today on 01622 296055.