Discovering stinging insects flying around your property can be alarming. While some homeowners automatically assume that the culprit is a honeybee, it’s also possible that wasps are present. Here’s how to differentiate between the two and why honeybees are far more beneficial to humans.

The Differences Between Wasps & Honeybees

What Are the Main Differences?

Physically, honeybees and wasps differ in several ways. Bees are typically brown or black, with yellow or orange stripes on their bodies. Wasps, by contrast, may be green, blue, black, yellow, or a combination of shades—and in the case of the yellow jacket, they may closely resemble a honeybee at first glance. However, bees have a hairy appearance, while wasps feature decidedly smoother bodies. 

In the human world, wasps like to build their nests under the eaves of houses and other structures or—in the case of the yellow jacket—in the ground or within walls. Honeybees often nest in rock crevices or tree hollows, but their nests are rarely found near human dwellings.

What About Their Sting?

While either of these insects can sting, wasps are the more predatory of the two. One of these insects can sting many times, and if it feels threatened, many more may come to its aid and sting as well.

However, honeybees tend to cause harm only when they’re provoked and generally enjoy their solo time. They have barbed stingers which become stuck in the person they’ve stung when they pull away. This usually causes the bee to die. Because the singer can burn and cause a reaction, it’s crucial to remove it as soon as possible if you’re affected.

Why Are Honey Bees Beneficial?

You can thank the buzzing bees for honey, a beneficial ingredient used for everything from food preparation to natural healing remedies. To create the substance, they pollinate flowers for nectar. Bees are some of the most enthusiastic pollinators in the world, and agricultural communities—along with many of the world’s diets—depend on this to contribute to a thriving ecosystem that continues to produce in abundance.

Bees don’t just pollinate flowers; many crops are dependent on them, including almonds, cranberries, and blueberries. A lack of honeybees would have a significant impact on the world’s gardens, fields, and meadows, which would affect everything from livelihoods to animal life. For this reason, pest control professionals humanely relocate honeybee hives when they threaten their customers rather than destroying them.

Are you concerned about a possible wasp infestation at your home? Turn to the professionals at Advanced Termite & Pest Control in Crossville, TN. Proudly serving customers throughout the upper Cumberland region, the licensed and insured exterminators can tackle everything from pest to rodent control. They’ll promptly manage any type of issue that affects your property, from mice to silverfish to bedbugs. Visit them online to find out more about these services or call (866) 636-2687 to schedule a free inspection.