How much do you know about bees? There are over 15,000 different species of bees in the world. There’s a lot of confusion regarding the difference between good bees and the ones that are hazardous. All bees are not created equal. Here’s what you need to know about bees and how to distinguish helpful ones from the harmful ones.
The Good vs. the Bad
The Good
Good bees, honeybees, are ones who help with our food supply through pollination. They pollinate many fruits and vegetables including broccoli, carrots, apples, almonds, and more. Good bees, such as honeybees, are pollinators. They transport seeds and pollen from one flower to the next, resulting in the fertilization of the plant. A bee’s diet consists of ripe fruit, honey, and flower nectar.
The Bad
Wasps have the label of being bad bees. Why? First, you need to know that hornets are two different types of wasps. Wasps and hornets play a role in pollination, but not as much as bees do. A downside of having wasps around are their stings and their diet. Hornets and wasps have a diet that consists of sweet treats, proteins, and other insects, making them a nuisance. In addition to these negatives of having wasps around, they are aggressive and can sting more than once, which means they aren’t your friendly neighborhood honeybees.
Why Do Bees Sting You?
Most bees are not aggressive unless they feel their hive is in danger. The venom from their stinger is not deadly, and they can only sting you once. Once they sting you, they die.
Conversely, a wasp is aggressive near their nest and when they’re away from their nest. Wasps can sting you multiple times, and their venom is stronger than that of a bee. However, usually you will not experience any problems unless you are highly allergic to the venom.
Finally, hornets are extremely aggressive. They enter attack mode when someone or something disturbs their nest. Hornets can sting you multiple times, and their venom is very powerful, causing severe reactions even if you are not allergic to the venom.
The Differences in Appearance
Bees have fuzzy bodies with black and yellow stripes. Wasps do not have fuzzy bodies, and they are black and yellow in appearance. Hornets have a mostly black body, and they can have tiny, yellow stripes. Hornets can also have a black body with a yellow ring that appears on their abdomen.
Wasps and hornets are a threat to honeybees because they eat them! We can’t live without honeybees. Without honeybees, we will lose food, animals, and more. There is currently a rapid decline in the honeybee population. We all need to work together to save the honeybees. You can do your part to save honeybees by giving us a call to ensure that the insect you find really is a danger to be eliminated and not a honeybee.
Pest Control Services in Howard County from Raven Termite and Pest Control
At Raven Termite and Pest Control, we offer
- Eco-friendly pest control solutions
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- Same day service
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Are you a home or business owner who requires pest control services in Howard County or elsewhere in the area? Raven Termite and Pest Control is here to help. Contact us today to find out more about a free pest inspection for your home or business.
