Unless you’re familiar with bees and wasps, the sting you just felt when that yellow and black insect landed on your arm is not a great identifier. Trying to get close to a bee hive or a wasp nest to properly identify the culprit it never recommended. Believe it or not, bees and wasps have different appearances, behaviors, and lifestyles. If noting their behaviors from afar isn’t enough to determine which insect stung you then call the experts at Critter Control® of Fort Lauderdale for assistance.
Bee vs Wasp Appearance
Though similarly colored, the insects are built very differently. Bees tend to have shorter, rounder bodies with fuzz covering them in some cases. Wasps on the other hand tend to have longer, more slender bodies and do not have any hair on them.
Bees
Wasp
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Bodies are hairless and they have long dangling legs
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Long and thin, with two pairs of wings, and a narrow waist
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Vary in color from solid black to black and yellow
What is a Hornet?
Hornets are a type of wasp. The only difference is a hornet has a thicker abdomen. The most common wasps are the European hornet and the bald-faced hornet. Hornets are a social insect so they build paper nests above the ground.
Are Yellow Jackets Wasps?
Yellowjackets refer to specific species of wasps. They share the same colors as honeybees and are similar in size. Yellowjackets build nests in trees, shrubs, or in protected places such as inside man-made structures, or in soil cavities, tree stumps, mouse burrows, etc. Even ground-nesting yellowjackets still build a nest underground. They build them from wood fiber they chew into a paper-like pulp.
Did you know that rats, weasels, and skunks are predators of yellow jackets?
Stinging Insect Behavior
Bees
Wasps
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Nest underground or above ground
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Predatory wasps use their long legs to catch, kill and devour their prey
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Parasitic wasps use the bodies of insects as a place to lay their eggs
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Can sting multiple times
Wasp Stings vs Bee Stings
A bee sting feels like a sharp, piercing pain. The pain typically lasts a few seconds and is followed by redness, swelling, and itching at the site of the sting.
A wasp sting is quite painful and often causes a burning, stinging sensation. It may also produce swelling and a reaction that lasts several hours.
Wasps are more aggressive than bees, but both can sting and be dangerous – especially if you have an allergy to either of them. Bees lose their stinger and die after one sting, but wasps can sting multiple times.
Wasp Nest vs Bee Hive
The habitats of these stinging insects also vary. A wasp’s gray paper-like home is made of chewed wood and saliva while a bee’s honeycomb home is made from the wax they secrete.
One bee or wasp is nothing to cause concern, but when they swarm in numbers, they can become deadly and cause damage to your home.
Types of Bee Species
- Honey bee
- Bumble Bee
- Carpenter Bee
Types of Wasps
- Paper Wasps
- Yellowjackets
- Hornets
- Mud Daubers
- Cicada Killers
Testimonials
Great people to work with!
John with CC has helped us twice in the last six years - first with a minor mouse problem, and then in troubleshooting a mystery animal that was raising a ruckus on the roof. In each case he was friendly, professional, and offered excellent guidance on the practical solutions. Highly recommend him, and this company.
Squirrels chewed siding of chimney. CC tech came out to assess situation. Fortunately animals not in attack. CC repair team came out and repaired damage and did a fine job. Very pleased with the business, their work and customer service.
Cannot say enough wonderful things about this company and Joe especially. We recently found a bat in our basement…SCARY! Called and asked for help, Joe came out at 8pm and was able to search the house, capture the bat safely and removed it from our home. His customer service was priceless to me and I highly recommend this company to everyone. Post visit he even sent a team to further assess our property and provide a quote for future needs.
They helped get rid of bats at our house and were friendly and easy to work with, highly recommend
We appreciated the quick response and the careful service by David Gleason. He explained each step of the process. He also returned to reset traps that had been sprung. He was professional and friendly. We highly recommend Critter Control.
Bryan was great. On time, professional, friendly. Most importantly, honest. No lies, no fear tactics, no gimmicks. Assessed the issue and was honest about the lack of work that actually needed to be done/was recommended, knowing that other places had dramatized and given several thousand dollar (4k+) estimates on a job that costs a couple hundred dollars. Can't recommend enough. Will be using for any future issues.
I’ve been using them for several years now. They are great!
Removed bats from our house and sealed up other areas of concern. Very responsive, explained things throughly to us, and did the work in a very timely manner. Much better than their two competitors that we also called. I would highly recommend them.
We have been having issues in our yard, and recently discovered large holes. Called this team, they immediately came out and determined the holes were partially exposed mole tunnels. They took care of the tunnels (as best they could), and trapped and caught a mole for removal. They were responsive, knowledgeable, and thorough. While I hope it is not needed - we would certainly reach out to them again should a need arise!