Bees, Wasps, & Hornets

Bees are seen most often on flowers. They pollinate plants and gather nectar to make honey. What bee stings hurt the most? Wasps. Hornets are certainly the physically strongest stinging insect.

Bees tend to build fairly simple and disorganized nests in; dry grass clippings, piles of dried leaves, porch furniture cushions, insulation, or other loose “fluffy” material. Wasps seem to prefer new construction to old, and I keep very busy treating wasp infestations in suburban housing developments. Hornets nests are entirely exterior; trees, shrubs, under decks, and high in the eaves. They construct a “football” or upside down teardrop-shaped nest from gray paper.