What’s the Buzz? Identifying Common Insects
Disturbed by stinging insects at your picnic, in your garden, or in the attic? Know what insects are invading your space!
Bees, Wasps, and Hornets
Most encounters with insects are around their nests or when they are seeking forage. This guide is to help you identify what you are encountering and what to expect from it.
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It’s important to distinguish honeybees from other insects. Each type of insect has its own markings and distinct behavior. Some insects are more defensive than others, and being able to identify which type of insect is sharing your space makes it easier to adjust to their presence (and not get stung!).
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You can also reference our blog post, “Are They Honey Bees or Yellow Jackets?”
Common insects that you’ll encounter
Honey Bee​
Hairy, with black body and brown and gold bands; 1/2”​
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Nest: Honey bees are social insects and live in nature as colonies in trees, walls, and sometimes the ground. The cavities of the nest are range from the size of a basketball to a large trunk. Bees are also managed in manufactured hives that can range from 20,000–80,000 individuals.​
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Threat: Honey bees are not aggressive when encountered in the wild and do not search for something to attack. Instead, they are defensive and will attack only whatever seems to threaten the colony or when contacted roughly, stepped upon with bare feet, or caught in clothing and hair. ​
Bumble Bee​
Black and yellow markings, hairy; 1”​​
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Nest: Bumblebees build their nests out of pollen clumps, usually in the ground or a dense grass clump, and often in an abandoned mouse nest.
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Threat: Bumblebees are considered a beneficial insect because they pollinate flowers. However, they can sting. If a nest is located in or near a structure, then control is necessary. With proper protection, a nest can be relocated to an alternate location. If away from people, they should be left to survive.
Carpenter Bee​
Black and yellow with bare and shiny abdomen; 3/4” to 1”​​
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Nest: Carpenter bees do not live in nests or colonies. They bore into wood, where they make galleries for rearing their young. Carpenter bees tend to prefer decaying or weathered wood to new or painted wood.
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Threat: Carpenter bees are a serious property threat, and can cause structural damage over time if they are not eliminated. Male carpenter bees can be territorial and may hover in front of one’s face aggressively, but they have no stinger and these actions are merely for show. Female carpenter bees do have a potent sting, which is rarely used.
Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp​
Black and yellow stripes and brownish wings; 1” to 2”
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Nest: This ground-burrowing wasp may be found in well-drained sandy soils, loose clay, bare or grass-covered banks, berms, and hills, and next to raised sidewalks, driveways, and patio slabs. ​
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Threat: Cicada-killer wasps are not aggressive and females rarely sting unless they are grasped roughly, stepped upon with bare feet, or caught in clothing. The males have no stinger. They are generally non-aggressive towards humans and usually fly away when swatted at instead of attacking.
Yellowjacket Wasp​
Black and yellow, yellow legs, 3/8” to 5/8”​
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Nest: Yellowjackets live in nests constructed of paper carton, which can grow to be basketball-sized. One nest will contain a number of rounded paper combs, attached one below another and covered with a many-layered envelope. Depending on the species, the nest may be near the ground, such as on plant roots, logs, or timber, or aerial and attached to shrubs, bushes, houses, garages, or sheds.
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Threat: Yellowjackets are slow to sting, unless their nests are threatened. Then they become aggressive. Yellowjackets are considered beneficial insects because they control many pest insect species. However, if their nest is located near a structure, control is warranted. They often pose a problem for homeowners when located in the ground and are affected upon mowing the property.
Bald-Faced Hornet​
Black with ivory or white markings, 3/4”​
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Nest: Bald-faced hornets build aerial nests out of paper carton. The nests are usually in exposed locations, often on trees, utility poles, overhangs, or other structures. The nests can be quite large, growing to 14 inches in diameter and 24 inches in length.
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Threat: Bald-faced hornets are considered beneficial insects because they control many pest insect species. However, if their nest is located near a structure, control is warranted. If away from people they should be left to survive and often are high up and do not pose a threat if left alone.
Red Paper Wasp​
Brown with yellow and reddish markings, 3/4” to 1”​
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Nest: Paper wasps get their name from the paper-like material of which they construct their nest. Paper wasp nests are often umbrella-like in shape and are never enclosed in an envelope. Nests are often found hanging from twigs and branches of trees and shrubs, as well as porch ceilings, door frames, eaves, deck floor joints, railings, etc.
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Threat: If a nest is touched, there is a high probability you will get stung when coming into contact with a paper wasp nest. They are typically not an aggressive type of wasp away from the nest. Paper wasps are considered beneficial insects because they control many pest insect species. However, if their nest is located near a structure, control is warranted.
European Hornet​
Brown and yellow with red markings; 1" to 1 1/4”​
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Nest: European hornets build paper carton nests that are usually covered in a brown paper envelope as protection. Typically, the nests can be found in hollow trees, barns, outbuildings, hollow walls of houses, and attics.
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Threat: European hornets are considered beneficial insects because they control many pest species. However, if their nest is located near a structure, control is warranted.
Mud Dauber Wasp​
Black with pale markings and metallic luster; 1”​
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Nest: Mud daubers are solitary wasps and do not live in colonies. Females construct nests of mud. Many short mud tubes, usually about 1 inch long, are constructed side by side. They frequently build nests under eaves, porch ceilings, in garages and sheds, barns, protected building walls, and attics.
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Threat: Mud daubers are considered beneficial insects because they control spiders. However, if their nest is located near human activity, control is warranted.