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Bee / Wasp - General Insect Questions

  1. What’s the difference between a yellow jacket, wasp, and bald-faced hornet? Yellow jackets, paper wasps, and bald-faced hornets are all types of wasps, but they differ in appearance, nesting behavior, and aggression levels:
    • Yellow Jackets: Small, black and yellow; build papery nests underground or in voids; highly aggressive.
    • Paper Wasps: More slender with long legs; build open, umbrella-shaped nests often under eaves; generally less aggressive.
    • Bald-Faced Hornets: Black with white markings; build large, enclosed aerial nests often in trees or high on structures; very defensive near their nests, and Extremely Aggressive when threatend.
  2. Are these insects aggressive or likely to sting?
    Yes—especially near their nests. They become highly defensive when they feel their colony is threatened. Away from the nest, they are less likely to sting unless provoked. Stay calm and avoid swatting; sudden movements may trigger aggression.
  3. Why are there so many this year? Is it worse than usual?
    Population size can vary year to year based on weather patterns. Warm, dry springs and summers often lead to more wasp activity. Also, by late summer and early fall, colonies are at their peak size, which makes them more noticeable.
  4. Are they beneficial to the environment, or should I be concerned?
    While they can pose a threat near human activity, all wasps play a role in the ecosystem—either by pollinating or preying on pest insects. We focus our treatments on nests that pose a direct risk to our clients.
  5. Can they reuse the same nest next year?
    Typically, no. Most nests are abandoned in the fall when the colony dies off. A new queen overwinters and starts a new nest the following spring. While rare, some locations may attract new nests in the same area year after year.