Nearly every homeowner must deal with a stinging insect infestation at some point in time. Yellow jackets, hornets and wasps are all harmful pests that can cause you or your family harm if their population is not eliminated quickly once they are discovered.
The tricky part of dealing with stinging insects is ensuring you do not accidentally destroy a hive of helpful bees in the process. Bees are essential to the ecosystem, and without the work they do collecting nectar from flowering plants, we would be unable to cultivate healthy crops. Here are some tips on differentiating between wasps and bees, knowing how to deal with pests and safely relocating bee hives away from high-traffic areas on your property.
Wasps
This brownish-colored stinger with wings typically has reddish or yellow markings along its thorax and abdomen (middle and tail). Paper wasps derive their name from the paper-like material they use to build nests, which are umbrella-like shape and unenclosed. You find these pests in tree branches or hollows, porch ceilings, shrubs, door frames and deck floor joints as a rule.
Disturb these nests at your own risk, as paper wasps swarm when aroused in an effort to defend their homes. They are considered helpful insects, as they prey on lesser pest species and control their population. If they are nesting on or inside a structure of your home, you need to control, eliminate or move them to a safe location. Professional help with removal is highly recommended. No one should risk being swarmed and stung without the proper gear and equipment.
Bees
Honey bees are crucial to the healthy life cycle of plants. Without bees, plants and crops cannot pollinate effectively. Most measure between ½-⅝ of inch in length, and they have orange-yellow and brown-black bands over their thorax and abdomen. Honey bees are not aggressive, but they will swarm and attack when their colony is threatened. Honey bee colonies should be removed from structures near your home or high traffic areas and safely relocated. Moving a bee hive is not for amateurs, and professional help is definitely necessary.
If you notice carpenter bees, which are larger, fuzzier and have black and pale yellow fuzz with a bald spot on the abdomen, they need to be eliminated quickly. They chew and burrow into old wooden structures, and while they are not aggressive they can cause severe structural damage over time.
If you have a bee or wasp nest on your property and need it moved or removed safely, Hart Pest Control of Spring, Texas is the experienced pest control expert to help resolve your bee and wasp issues safely. As a family-owned-and-operated business, we offer affordable and reliable pest control that fits your budget and needs. Contact Hart Pest Control today to set up a consultation.