Have a bee problem?

Start off by knowing your bee…

Honey Bee

European Honey Bee or Comon Honey Bee

The honey bee is one of the most valuable insects for mankind.  Not only do they produce honey for consumption, but they also aid in food production in the United States due to their ability to mass polinate crops.

People can have severe allergic reactions to honey bee stings but luckily, the European honey bee is not very aggressive.  If you are stung however (espeically if for the first time) it would be wise to seek medical attention as the sting can cause anaphylactic shock.

Carpenter Bee

Carpenter Bee or Bore Bee

The carpenter bee is a very large non-stinging bee.  They are however very damaging to wood structures and are very common in Pennsylvania.

While they are themselves harmless, these bees will nest in the same area for years and will eventually cause structural damage to wooden building.  If you have an infestation it is important that you have them removed.

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White Faced Hornet

White Faces Hornets or Bald Faced Hornets

White faced hornets are large aggressive wasps that can nest in paper nests in trees or in the ground.  You need to be especially careful around these bees because they are extremely territorial.

People can have allergies to the white faced hornet but it isn’t the same type of reaction to that of a honey bee.
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Yellow Jacket

Eastern Yellow Jacket

Yellow Jackets are a predatory Wasp and can be very aggressive pests. These bees will eat other insects, feast on nectar and sugar water and tree sap. These bees will nest almost anywhere. From inside the ground to rafters and attics.

  Bumblebees

Bumblebees are large, hairy social insects with a lazy buzz and clumsy very similar but smaller than the Carpenter Bee. Many of them are black and yellow, and along with ladybirds and butterflies are perhaps the only insects that almost everyone likes. Queen and worker bumblebees can sting however you don’t often see stings as bumblebees are reluctant to use them. Bumblebees are pollinators and should not be killed, like the European Honeybee they are not aggressive.

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