Stinging insects

Among the many biting and stinging insects that we encounter in the summertime, bees and wasps are some of the most common. Both fly and sting, so many people consider them to be pretty much the same. But they aren’t. Bees are necessary pollinators of flowers and crops while wasps prey on other insects. It is important to learn the difference between bees and wasps because many locales have specific ordinances about how each kind of insect is treated, controlled, or maintained.

Bees

The actual kinds of bees are too numerous for this article, but they can be described in general. They tend to be round, even fat, and many are fuzzy. They may have bold black and gold stripes like the bumblebee or be a more drab brown like the honey bee. They tend to buzz along singly as they collect pollen from flowers to take back to their hive. Some are wild, and some belong to apiaries that encourage bees to pollinate local crops that we depend upon. Unfortunately, sometimes wild bees may build a hive inside a shed or in the ground under some ornamental bushes. They won’t appreciate sharing the immediate area with your family and pets.

Wasps

Wasps build nests that are often high in a tree or just inside the eaves of the porch. There are paper wasps and mud wasps, among other kinds. They tend to be thin and fast, shaped like an hour glass, and they can have stripes or bright colors. They may look like they are alone at times, but their swarm could be close and able to communicate with the individual you happen to see. Wasps can be territorial over a larger area than bees may choose. They react to colors and movement from a farther distance. They often attack quickly and repeatedly.

Regional Ordinances

Because of a world wide threat to bee populations, local ordinances now exist to prevent eradication of helpful bee colonies. In Arizona there are also specific laws about bee keeping that set proper boundaries to protect neighbors from local swarms. If you can’t tell if the nest you see is bees or wasps, contact Preventive Pest Control at (623) 582-9014 for help. We are experienced in identifying and controlling stinging insects.

If you happen to see an attack by bees or wasps happening, call 911 immediately.

Preventive Pest Control Phoenix

If you need help with stinging insects, contact Preventive Pest Control – Phoenix right away.