How to Tell Difference Between Bees and Wasps

Posted on 07.26.11 in Bees, Wasps, Yellow Jackets

Bees and wasps are easily confused. Several species of bees and wasps are of similar size and share similar black or brown and yellow markings. Because of their stinging nature, when their distinctive buzzing is heard, few people take the time to notice the fine points that differentiate these two stinging insects. Usually people are more concerned with getting out of the way.

Despite our fear of being stung, most bees are fairly docile unless directly attacked or protecting their hive from imminent danger. Wasps, on the other hand, are more aggressive and more likely to attack. Some wasp species, most notably yellowjackets, will attack without provocation, warn NJ pest control experts. Knowing whether the buzzing you hear is coming from a bee or a wasp can help you determine whether the insect has merely mistaken your cologne for a flower and will soon wander off or is zeroing in for the attack, stinger at the ready.

While bees and wasps share a common ancestry with ants, there are several distinct differences that allow pest control services NJ to accurately determine which stinging insect is causing problems for Bergen County home owners.

Bees have thick-waisted bodies. Wasps have thin, constricted, ant-like waists.
Bees are covered with a coat of short, dense hair. Wasps have smooth, hairless bodies.
Bees have hooked stingers and can sting only once. Wasps have straight stingers and can sting multiple times.
Bees die after stinging, their abdomen ripping away from the embedded stinger as they fly away from their victim. Wasps do not die after stinging and can continue stinging their victim repeatedly, although each subsequent sting will deliver a decreasing amount of venom.
A single bee sting is more dangerous than a single wasp sting. When bees sting, they leave their venom sac inside their victim where it continues to release venom until it is removed.