Talking Plants
Jillian Patrie | University of Minnesota Yard and Garden Extension
Wasps, bees and humans have had what seems to be a love-hate relationship that bubbles up every August when wasp activity ramps up. Many people use the word “bee” as a general and all-encompassing description of anything that flies and is yellow and black. When bees are brought up, people are likely thinking of wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. Let’s look at the characteristics of bees and wasps and how we can live harmoniously with them both.
Bee is a very loose term, as there are many different types of bees. All are familiar with the two most common “types” of bees, honey and bumble. Bumblebee bees are easy to identify as they are generally very fuzzy, sometimes large (size of dime), and seem to bumble from one flower to the next. Honeybees are less distinctly black and yellow, with a lighter almost honey color backside that is longer and narrow than its bumblebee counterpart.
Bumblebees nest in the ground, old rodent nests or hollowed out cavities. Bumblebees have annual nests, which means they do not generally nest in the same spot each season. Bumblebee queens choose a new nest every spring and start a new colony. In the late summer new reproductive males and females are produced, these fertilized females will find a place to hibernate for the winter and any males or workers still in the colony are killed by the first hard freeze.
Honeybee colonies are quite the opposite and will survive more than one year. Hive management for honeybees is more involved and requires a lot of care from those in the colony. To learn more about honeybee hive life visit https://beelab.umn.edu/honey-bees.
Yellow jackets, hornets and paper wasps can be aggressive and are most associated with “bee stings”. They are bright yellow, with black lines and some have triangles or diamonds on their stomach. Their bodies are hard and shiny, have longer wings and legs and the abdomen or stinging end is much more distinct. Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets eat other insects and enjoy sugar from ripening or over ripened fruit (apples, raspberries and many other late summer fruits and veggies). During late summer and early fall they can become aggressive scavengers and take advantage of human food at outdoor picnics. Yellow jackets, hornets and paper wasps build nests from chewed up wood fibers which can be located below ground, in hollow logs, attics and the eves of buildings. All three do not reuse their nests the following year, and nests do not survive the winter.
So, who stings and why? Social wasps and bees will sting to defend their nests, and some yellow jackets can become aggressive during the late summer and fall, causing them to sting unprovoked at times. In most cases, bees and wasps are not seeking the opportunity to sting, but if they are stepped on, swatted or if their nest is disturbed or threatened, you may find yourself on the wrong side of a stinger
To minimize the chances of being stung, do not swat, step or disturb nests if possible. If nests are near a frequently used area, removal may be necessary. Honeybee colonies are not commonly found in buildings but can be relocated if this is the case. Bumblebee nests are best left alone until fall and freezing temperatures, and they will not return. Paper wasps, hornets and yellow jacket nests will not be used again once cold temperatures set in. If they are in a low traffic area and can be left alone that is ideal, otherwise they can be treated for removal. Late evening or early morning is best, when wasps are less active, make sure to wear protective clothing when treating.
The first step for successfully managing bees and wasps is to identify whether the insects you are seeing are bumblebees, honeybees or a type of wasp. After identification the correct course of action can be implemented. For more information on wasps and bees please visit https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/wasps-and-bees.
Do you want to learn more about identifying native Minnesota bees? Check out the Guide to Minnesota bumble bees on the UMN-Extension website.
For questions about this article or local assistance please contact Clay County Extension Educator, Jill Patrie at 218-299-7338 or by email at patri350@umn.edu.