Difference Between Bees, Wasps, and Hornets’ Nest

When a hive or nest of stinging insects suddenly pops up near your home, you need to act fast. Whether they’re bees, wasps, or hornets, you don’t want them sticking around for too long. They pose a danger to your family and pets, especially if anyone is allergic.

While it’s important to get rid of them quickly, you want to make sure you have the right protection and tools before you do. It’s probably safe to say that most people don’t have a beekeeper’s suit tucked away in storage. So depending on the size of the nest and kind of insect, you may be better off calling a professional.

Beehives

The first thing you need to do is identify the kind of insect you’re dealing with. Beehives are often constructed on tree branches and other sturdy structures. This makes sheds and attics prime real estate for bees.

Hives have hexagon shaped combs made from wax. Some bees are more aggressive than others, so be careful when going near the nest. The size of a beehive can vary a great deal.

Hornet Nests

Hornet nests are built in the air and can become fairly large in size. They are constructed from thin, gray paper. Hornets create their nests by chewing small bits of wood and mixing it with their saliva. A hornets’ nest can house anywhere between 100-700 workers.

Wasp Nests

Wasps nests come in many varieties. Some are made in the air, while others are made on the ground. They come in many different colors and can become very large in size. Yellow jackets will even build their nests below ground.

Paper wasps do not enclose their nests with paper like hornets do. Their nests also have hexagon shaped combs similar to beehives. A wasp nest will contain between 100-5000 workers.

Removing a Nest

We strongly advise homeowners not to remove nests on their own when they get to a certain size. It can be very dangerous if you haven’t been properly trained in bee removal. As pollinators, these insects are an important part of our ecosystem. That’s why Attic Kings tries to safely remove hives without killing any bees whenever possible.

If you have a bee, wasp, or hornet nest near your home, give us a call at 404-723-1065.