A Guide to Common Types of Wasps and Bees in North Carolina
North Carolina's diverse climate and landscapes provide a habitat for various species of wasps and bees. While these insects play vital roles in pollination and ecosystem balance, some can pose challenges for homeowners due to their stinging nature. Understanding the common types of wasps and bees in North Carolina, along with their characteristics and nesting habits, can help homeowners identify and manage potential risks effectively.
Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Appearance: Honey bees are typically golden-yellow with brown bands on their abdomen. They have a hairy body, which aids in collecting pollen, and their hind legs are specially adapted for carrying pollen back to the hive.
Nest Description: Honey bee nests are often found in enclosed spaces such as tree hollows, wall voids, or man-made structures like beehives. Their nests are composed of wax cells where they store honey and raise brood.
Identification Tips: Look for clusters of bees flying to and from a specific area, especially near flowering plants. Honey bee nests may also emit a faint, sweet odor.
Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.)
Appearance: Bumble bees are larger and more robust than honey bees. They have a fuzzy appearance, often with black and yellow stripes, although some species may have orange or red markings.
Nest Description: Bumble bee nests are typically located underground or in abandoned rodent burrows. They create small wax cells for brood rearing and store pollen and nectar in these cells.
Identification Tips: Bumble bees are commonly seen foraging on flowers, and their nests may have a small entrance hole with bees coming and going.
Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.)
Appearance: Carpenter bees are large bees with shiny, black bodies and a distinctive yellow spot on their thorax. They often resemble bumble bees but have a smoother appearance and lack dense hair.
Nest Description: Carpenter bees prefer nesting in wooden structures such as eaves, decks, or fences. They bore perfectly round holes into the wood to create galleries where they lay eggs and store pollen.
Identification Tips: Look for round holes about half an inch in diameter in wooden surfaces, often particles around the entrance. Male carpenter bees are territorial and may hover near their nests, while females are typically seen entering and exiting the holes.
Yellow Jackets (Vespula spp.)
Appearance: Yellow jackets are often mistaken for bees due to their similar size and coloring. They are black and yellow striped, with a more defined waist and a smooth appearance compared to fuzzy bees.
Nest Description: Yellow jackets build paper-like nests, usually underground, but can also be found in wall voids, attics, or other enclosed spaces. Their nests are grayish and can contain multiple layers of cells where they rear their young.
Identification Tips: Look for yellow jackets swarming around food sources like trash bins or picnics. Their nests can be identified by observing a steady stream of wasps entering and exiting a specific area.
Learn how to tell apart yellow jackets and ground wasps.
Paper Wasps (Polistes spp.)
Appearance: Paper wasps have slender bodies with long legs and wings. They are typically brownish with yellow or reddish markings. Unlike bees, they have a narrow waist and hang their legs down while in flight.
Nest Description: Paper wasps construct open, umbrella-shaped nests that hang from branches, eaves, or other protected structures. These nests are made of paper-like material created by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva.
Identification Tips: Look for paper wasps flying in a distinctive, jerky pattern around their nest. The nests are often small initially but can grow larger as the colony expands.
Mud Daubers (Sphecidae family)
Appearance: Mud daubers are slender wasps with a long, narrow waist. They vary in color from black to metallic blue or iridescent green, depending on the species. Their bodies lack the dense hair seen in bees.
Nest Description: Mud daubers create nests from mud, constructing cylindrical tubes often attached to walls, ceilings, or other vertical surfaces. Each tube contains multiple chambers where they deposit paralyzed spiders for their larvae to feed on.
Identification Tips: Look for mud dauber nests, which are typically solitary and not aggressive unless disturbed. The nests resemble long, narrow tubes made of mud.
Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
Appearance: Eastern Cicada Killers are large, robust wasps with a black and yellow-striped abdomen. They have reddish-brown heads and thoraxes and can grow up to 2 inches in length.
Nest Description: Cicada killers dig burrows in sandy or loose soil, creating underground tunnels where they hunt cicadas to provision their larvae. These burrows can be several inches in depth and have a characteristic mound of excavated soil nearby.
Identification Tips: Look for Eastern Cicada Killers flying low over lawns or garden areas. Their burrows may have a small entrance hole surrounded by loose soil.
Bald-faced Hornets (Dolichovespula maculata)
Appearance: Baldfaced hornets are large, black insects with white markings on their face, thorax, and abdomen. They have a distinct aerial presence and are more aggressive than many other wasp species.
Nest Description: Baldfaced hornets construct large, paper-like nests that are often attached to trees, shrubs, or buildings. These nests can reach impressive sizes and contain multiple layers of cells for brood rearing.
Identification Tips: Look for large, football-shaped nests hanging from elevated areas. Baldfaced hornets are most active during the day and can be seen flying in and out of the nest entrance.
European Paper Wasps (Polistes dominula)
Appearance: European paper wasps have slender bodies with black and yellow stripes. They are similar in appearance to yellow jackets but have a more elongated abdomen and longer legs.
Nest Description: Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped nests attached to eaves, branches, or other structures. These nests are made of paper-like material created by chewing wood fibers mixed with saliva.
Identification Tips: Look for small to medium-sized nests with visible hexagonal cells. Paper wasps are less aggressive than yellow jackets but will defend their nest if threatened.
By familiarizing yourself with these common types of wasps and bees in North Carolina, you can better understand their behavior and nesting habits. If you encounter a nest on your property and are unsure about handling it safely, consider contacting a professional pest control service for assistance. It's important to exercise caution around stinging insects as they can cause painful strings, which can lead to severe allergic reactions.
Professional Stinging Insect Control
Regardless of the type of wasp or bee you might be dealing with, Tailor Made is here to help. Our team of experienced wasp exterminators provides a free inspection, targeted treatments, and family-friendly product options, ensuring we get rid of the stringing insects in your yard. Contact our team today to learn more!