Do you think of any yellow flying insect that buzzes around as a bee? In reality, there are some significant differences. Our Rumson NJ exterminator can help you distinguish between these ground-dwelling insects, whether they’re bees or yellow jacket wasps.
Visual Identification
At first glance, bees and yellow jackets certainly look similar. The biggest difference in their physical appearance is that yellow jackets are hairless. Bees have branched hair, known as plumose, to trap pollen grains. They also have a certain amount of non-branched hair that serves as sensory receptors.
While both insects are yellow, wasps have a more vivid hue, hence their nickname. Yellow jackets also have the famously narrow waist as opposed to bees, which have a more puffed-out silhouette.
Behavior and Habits
Ground-dwelling bees and yellow jackets contrast sharply in behavior. Bees are solitary, although female bees often form burrows close to one another, giving the mistaken impression of a colony. On the other hand, wasps are highly social insects that live in well-defined colonies founded by a single queen.
Another telltale behavior is aggressiveness. Yellow jackets are more aggressive than most species of stinging insects, and they will often strike without being provoked. Only female bees have the ability to sting, but they are generally docile and rarely pose a threat to humans.
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Unsure about bees, yellow jackets or other pests around your home or office? Contact Allison Pest and let our cheerful, professionally trained technicians perform a free inspection.
