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Buzz Buzz: How to Coexist with Bees and Wasps

BUZZ BUZZ How to Coexist with BEES nd WASPS There are about 20,000 different species of bees and 30,000 different species of wasps in the world Honey bees contribute more than $14 billion to the value of U.S. crop production. Honey bees produce about 200 million pounds of commercial honey each year. x1,000,000 Many of the country's crops wouldn't exist without honey bees Almonds depend entirely on honey bees for pollination. Some crops, including blueberries and cherries, are 90 percent dependent on honey bee pollination. More than 2 of all fruit As bees gather pollen and nectar, they pollinate crops. and vegetable crops are pollinated by honey bees. Wasps help control insect populations Some wasps pollinate as well What are the similarities and differences between WASPS ana BEES? POPULATION Both bee and wasp populations have solitary and social species. *** Honey bee colonies can reach more than 75,000. Wasps' colonies are typically fewer than 10,000. !!! AGGRESSION Honey bees can attack when provoked. Wasps are more aggressive predators. Be mindful in the fall Bees and wasps are more aggressive at the end of the summer and into fall. STINGING Honey bees sting only once, then die after leaving stingers in the victim's skin. Wasps can sting more than once because they have a lance-like stinger without barbs (so they are able to pull out their stinger without injuring themselves). Social wasps, which include yellow jackets, paper wasps, and hornets, are more likely to sting or swarm. Yellow jackets are most likely to clash with humans. A Who's Who of WASPS and BEES? SOCIAL WASPS Bald-faced hornet wasp Paper wasp Yellow jacket wasp Appearance: Black with white to creamy Appearance: They are about 3/4 to 1 inch long, reddish-brown with a yellow circle Appearance: Black-and-yellow bands on the abdomen marks on the front of the head and at the end of the abdomen Workers are about 1/2-inch long, short, and blocky Heavy bodies about 7/8 inch long They have longer legs and more slender bodies than yellow jackets and hornets The queen is larger, about 3/4-inch long Their abdomens taper at both ends Nests: Includes a signal queen Nests: Aerial nesting Usually build nests in trees, shrubs, and on houses, Aerial nests made of a Nests: paper-like material formed from chewed wood fibers and saliva Consist of a single exposed comb suspended by a narrow stalk that looks like an inverted umbrella sheds, and other above-ground places • May reach 2 feet in diameter Ground nesting Construct nests underground Behavior: Behavior: They can be aggressive, but they don't scavenge like yellow jackets (so they're less likely to intrude on outdoor activities) Behavior: The temperament of the queen sets the mood of the hive They are aggressive Many reported "bee stings" are really from yellow jackets The Black & White Bald is more aggressive than other varieties SOLITARY VWASPS Cicada killer Digger/Threadwaisted wasp Appearance: Appearance: Large, about 1-1/8 to 1-5/8 inches long Adults about 3/4-2 inches long Black body marked with yellow across the thorax and on the first three abdominal segments Hairy with narrow waist Black with bands or areas of red, yellow. and/or white Head and thorax are rusty red Wings are brownish Adults feed on nectar and feed their larvae on paralyzed insects • Legs are yellowish Nests: Nests: In areas of thin vegetation, and rarely infest thick, vigorous turf They are named for the female's nesting behavior of digging into dry dirt to create a nest for offspring to grow in Adults emerge in mid-June to early July depending on the temperature conditions Behavior: They are not very aggressive Behavior: They tend to keep to themselves Unless they are bothered, females save their stinging for the cicadas they hunt Mud dauber Sandwasp EDEKE Appearance: • Long and slender bodies with a narrow and thread-like waist Appearance: Stout bodies with pale greenish or yellow and black markings Nests: Nests: Females make nests from mud Nests are short, simple burrows, with a single enlarged chamber at the bottom to hold prey Behavlor: Behavior: They are rarely aggressive They are not very aggressive Stings are very uncommon SOCIAL BEES Bumble bee Honey bee Appearance: Appearance: Adults are 1/2 inch long and usually yellow, with 3 or 5 dark brown abdominal bands Large, about 3/4 inch long Black and yellow or orange hair patterns on their abdomens Carry two pairs of wings Queens and workers have pollen baskets on their hind legs Do not have a slim waist like wasps and hornets Dense hairs around the neck and sparser hair on the abdomen Nests/hives: They live in a small colony of about 200 bees Nests/hives: Generally found in open grasslands Made of wax cells that may contain pounds of honey In spring, they start nests in old mice burrows, cavities in buildings, and other locations Behavior: Whether bees are domesticated or aggressive depends on the hive environment in which they develop Behavior: They use their stingers strictly for defense They rarely sting unless they are stepped on or aggravated in some way They are genetically pre-disposed to only sting as a matter of last resort SOLITARY BEES Carpenter bee Digger bee Leafcutting bee Appearance: Appearance: Appearance: Resemble bumble bees They are black, dark blue, purple, or green covered with white, yellow, reddish, or brown hair in color Large bees, can reach up to 1.18 inches long Most of the top of the abdomen is hairless and Hairy with visibly protruding faces shiny black Nests: Nests: Females nest in the ground. logs, hollow stems, twigs, or wood siding Nests: Female excavates a clean-cut, round entrance hole about In the soil, either in banks or in flat ground 3/8-1/2 inch wide, on or around the structure Though they are solitary, they may nest in large groups They cut semi-circular plant leaf discs to construct cigar-like nests Return to previously used galleries from year to year, although other bees can make new galleries as well Behavior: Behavior: They are docile and only sting if they are handled or threatened They will only sting if handled Behavior: They typically only sting if they are handled or aggravated Their sting has been described as less painful than a honey bee's sting Mining bee Orchard mason bee Sweat bee Appearance: Appearance: Appearance: About 1/2 inch long About 1/3 inch long and blue-black with a metallic sheen About 3/16 to 5/6-inch long Dark bodies with fine light brown or yellow hairs Black body with yellow, red, or metallic markings Nests: Nests: The female uses existing holes, about 1/4 to 3/8 inches Nests: They tunnel into the ground, especially in clay soil In cavities in weeds or shrubs, or in the ground in diameter, in wood, cavities in sunny walls, or in the holes found around windows and doors Burrows are lined with a thin. Behavlor: clear plaster They are attracted by human sweat but They plug the bottom of the hole with mud before nesting Behavior: They are not aggressive They aren't usually aggressive unless bothered Behavior: They usually do not bother people unless they are pro- voked They sting so rarely that there's a common belief they don't sting at all How to Live Harmoniously With WASPS and BEES? When we know what to expect from bees and wasps, we can coexist without any problems. GET A FALL INSPECTION Avoid spring bee and wasp infestations by scheduling a fall inspection. DON'T TRY TO DEAL WITH NESTS AND HIVES YOURSELF If a nest absolutely has to be removed, contact a professional pest control company and consider the following questions: Do you offer a non- or less-toxic method to control bees or wasps? How do you ensure the insecticide does E not enter the house? If an insecticide is used, How long will the substance remain toxic? what is it and how do you apply it? STEER CLEAR OF SWARMS Sometimes a new queen visits an established honey bee colony and the old queen leaves to begin a new colony. When she leaves, she can bring hundreds of workers with her, which forms a swarm. an A swarm will leave you be if you leave it be. If a swarm enters a building, call a local beekeeper to collect it. The swarm will eventually move to a nesting spot. REDUCE THE RISK OF BEING STUNG Eliminate or cover attractants such as: FOOD BEVERAGES TRASH When you plan on being outdoors, avoid the use of scented cosmetics such as: PERFUME HAIR SPRAY LOTION Always wear footwear outside Avoid bright-colored clothing when outdoors Carefully check for bee or wasp nests before starting yard work Bees and wasps play an important role in nature. While their stings can be painful, and nests can get in the way, it's best to leave them alone-and they'll likely return the favor. abfnet.org entomology.ifas.ufl.edu A insectidentification.org adamspestcontrol.com A extension.umd.edu A ipm.iastate.edu baysideservice.net A gardeners.com knoxcellars.com A beecare.bayer.com A gardeningknowhow.com A mnn.com beespotter.org guardianpestcontrolnny.com e mypmp.net catseyepest.com A idph.state.il.us nature.mdc.mo.gov entomology.ifas.ufl.edu insects.about.com pastatebeekeepers.org FIX .com

Buzz Buzz: How to Coexist with Bees and Wasps

shared by Ghergich on Mar 21
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Bees and wasps play a very important role in nature. In fact, many of the country’s crops would not exist without honeybees. Learn just how important they are, as well as the differences between va...

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