More than any other common insects, bees and wasps in or around your home and yard can be the source of major disruptions and even pose a danger. It’s during the spring and summer in Columbus, OH, that people see the most bees. And because most are unable to tell the difference between different venomous flying insects, bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are often referred to under the catchall term “bees.”
In fact, bees are actually the most harmless of all stinging insects and play a vitally important role in pollination, as well as in the production of honey and waxes. Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets on the other hand are predators, often of other pests, as well as aggressive, invasive and capable of multiple sting attacks.
Bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are all common in central Ohio, and given their similar appearance, it’s important to identify the key distinctions among them all:
- Bees are small, with black and yellow coloring and round, segmented bodies. Bees have pouches on their backs to store pollen, as well as barbed stingers. Bees lose their stingers after one sting, and subsequently die. At rest, a bee’s wings extend outward to its side.
- Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets have thinner, more defined bodies and vary in coloring from brown, red, black and white to the typical black and yellow coloring similar to bees. Key differences can be found in their stingers and wings – wasps, hornets and yellow jackets have unbarbed stingers, allowing them to sting repeatedly without losing their stingers. They are all characterized by elongated wings that pull inward at rest.
A sting from any one of these insects can range from painful to potentially deadly. All contain a venom that causes pain and restricts blood flow, making the pain last longer. For those with insect bite allergies, a single bee sting may trigger an anaphylactic reaction. If you experience or see any severe stings or allergic reaction to insect stings, it’s critical to seek medical attention immediately.
Keep in mind that bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets all become particularly fierce when defending their homes, so it’s very important when you come into contact with a hive or a nest to avoid it and call a professional for removal or take care of an infestation.
DIY methods for hive and nest extractions are dangerous and simply not worth the risk. For more information and helpful tips to avoid wasps, bees and other flying insects, contact ScherZinger Pest Control and see what the buzz is all about!
Scherzinger Termite and Pest Control is a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or via web inquiry, Facebook or Twitter.