Is that a wasp or a bee? Knowing how to determine the difference between the two is important for anyone who likes to spend a lot of time outside. Understanding how to identify wasps can help you prevent painful and unnecessary stings.
Key Physical Characteristics of Wasps
A wasp has a long, slender body and a narrow waist. This waist, also known as a petiole, is what gives wasps a distinctive hourglass shape.
Other key physical characteristics to look for when identifying wasps include two pairs of wings, a smooth exoskeleton, a long antennae, and long legs that dangle during flight. A wasp will also have a sharp and distinctive stinger on the end of its abdomen.
Common Colors and Patterns of Wasps
Wasp identification can be tricky because wasps come in all types of colors and patterns! Some of the most common color patterns in wasp appearance include:
- Yellow and black stripes
- Metallic blue or green body sheen, like the cuckoo wasp
- Red and black, often seen in paper wasps
- White and black, like the bald-faced hornet that has a black body and white facial markings
- Brown and yellow
These colors and patterns can vary depending on how a wasp warns their predators, attracts mates and blends in with their natural surroundings.
How to Tell the Difference Between Wasps and Bees
Understandably, many people get bees and wasps confused. As you learn more about wasp identification and your options for stinging insect control, it’s important to understand the biggest differences between bees and wasps.
First and foremost, wasps and bees have very different body shapes and features. Bees are more robust and stocky with hairy bodies and legs, while wasps are slender with a narrow waist, smooth exoskeleton, and slender legs that hang down.
Wasps also come in all types of colors, including vivid patterns, whereas bees stick to a muted color scheme that is predominately brown, black, or gold.
Their differences don’t stop with their bee vs. wasp appearance. Their behavioral habits are also very different. Bees are generally pretty docile and focus more on collecting pollen and nectar than attacking their prey. Wasps, on the other hand, are very aggressive and can be viewed as both a predator and a scavenger.
Additionally, their nests are different. Bees build waxy hives, often underground or hidden in walls. While some wasps will burrow underground, most make their presence known by building paper-like structures above the ground, often on houses, mailboxes, and decks.
Where You’ll Commonly Find Wasps
Understanding where wasps live is an important part of making your property a sting-free environment. As you start to perform pest inspections on your property, be sure to check the following spaces:
- Tree branches
- Attics
- Deck railings
- Mailboxes
- Roofing eaves
- Wood cavities, such as holes in trees
- Shrubs
- Fallen logs
It’s not uncommon to find wasps’ nests near human activity, as they are attracted to sweet food and drinks. If you’re planning a picnic, inspect your space before you get settled, or you might have an aggressive visitor or two!
Understanding the Importance of Wasp Identification
Knowing how to answer the question “What does a wasp look like?” is important for anyone who wants to spend time outside, especially in the spring and summer months. Determining whether the insect buzzing around you is a wasp or a bee will help you avoid stings, preserve your property’s ecosystem, and protect your family, friends, and pets.
If you do happen to find a wasp nest, be careful about removing it yourself. The dangers of DIY wasp removal are high, so calling in a professional for this project may be worthwhile!
Mosquito Joe® services provide fast and easy wasp nest removal, taking care of the problem for you. Our professionals are highly trained for proper wasp removal, so you can get back to loving your outdoor space again.
We are so confident that you’ll be happy with our wasp identification, removal, and control services that we back every visit with the Neighborly Done Right Promise® and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee. It’s important to us to ensure your happiness and peace of mind.
Don’t fight a wasp infestation alone. Contact Mosquito Joe for a free estimate today!
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mosquito Joe for more information and a professional on-site assessment.
