Virginia’s warm climate and lush landscapes create the perfect environment for stinging insects like wasps, hornets, and bees. While these insects play crucial roles in the ecosystem—such as pollination and pest control—their stings can be painful and, in some cases, dangerous. Knowing how to identify these insects is the first step toward managing their presence around your home or business. In this guide, we’ll help you differentiate between wasps, hornets, and bees, and provide tips on what to do if you encounter them.

Wasps

Appearance: Wasps are slender, with smooth bodies and a narrow “waist” that connects the abdomen to the thorax. Their shiny exoskeletons are usually black or dark brown, often marked with bright yellow or orange stripes. Wasps have long legs that dangle when they fly.

Common Species in Virginia:

• Paper Wasps: Known for their long legs and reddish-brown color, paper wasps build umbrella-shaped nests, often under eaves, in trees, or on outdoor structures.
• Yellowjackets: These aggressive wasps have bright yellow and black bodies and build their nests underground or in hidden crevices.

Behavior: Wasps are highly territorial and will defend their nests aggressively if threatened. Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times without dying. They are also attracted to food sources, especially sugary drinks and meats, making outdoor dining areas a hotspot for encounters.

Where You’ll Find Them: Look for wasps around trash cans, fruit trees, or outdoor seating areas. They build nests in protected areas such as roof eaves, attics, or tree branches.

Hornets

Appearance: Hornets are a type of large wasp, usually more robust than their smaller cousins. They have a thick, black and white or black and yellow striped body, and they are larger than most wasps, often growing up to an inch or more in length.

Common Species in Virginia:

• Bald-Faced Hornets: These are black with white markings on their heads and build large, football-shaped nests high in trees or on buildings.
• European Hornets: Brown with yellow-orange stripes, European hornets are the only true hornet species found in Virginia and can be up to 1.5 inches long.

Behavior: Hornets are more aggressive than most wasps, especially when protecting their nests. They can also sting multiple times and release a pheromone that attracts other hornets to the scene, intensifying the threat.

Where You’ll Find Them: Hornets build large paper nests in trees, shrubs, and sometimes on the sides of buildings. European hornets may also nest inside hollow trees or wall voids in homes.

Bees

Appearance: Bees have a more rounded, fuzzy appearance compared to wasps and hornets. They are typically covered in fine hairs that help them collect pollen. Honeybees are golden brown with black stripes, while bumblebees are black with bright yellow bands and are much larger.

Common Species in Virginia:

• Honeybees: These bees are the most familiar and essential for pollination. Honeybees are smaller and more social, often seen buzzing around flowers.
• Bumblebees: Larger and hairier than honeybees, bumblebees are also important pollinators. They tend to be more docile and usually only sting when directly threatened.

Behavior: Bees are generally non-aggressive and will only sting in defense of themselves or their nests. Honeybees can only sting once, as their stinger becomes lodged in the skin, causing the bee to die after the sting. Bumblebees, on the other hand, can sting multiple times but are less likely to do so unless provoked.

Where You’ll Find Them: Bees are typically found around gardens, meadows, and flowering plants. Honeybees build waxy hives in hollow trees or man-made bee boxes, while bumblebees nest in the ground, often in abandoned rodent holes.

How to Safely Handle Stinging Insects

Stinging insects are a part of Virginia’s ecosystem, and while they play beneficial roles, they can also be dangerous. If you encounter a wasp, hornet, or bee nest, it’s crucial to avoid disturbing it. Swatting or spraying them with over-the-counter products can provoke aggression and lead to multiple stings.

If a nest is close to your home, children’s play areas, or heavily trafficked spaces, it’s best to call a professional pest control service. Trained technicians can safely remove nests and help prevent future infestations.

Prevention Tips

To keep wasps, hornets, and bees at bay, consider the following preventive measures:

• Seal entry points: Close up cracks and holes around your home where insects might nest.
• Keep food covered: Wasps and hornets are attracted to food and sugary drinks, so always cover them when eating outdoors.
• Maintain your yard: Remove fallen fruit, and avoid planting flowers too close to entrances or high-traffic areas.
• Trash control: Ensure trash cans are sealed tightly, as insects are attracted to waste.

Contact Professional Stinging Insect Control Experts Today

Stinging insects like wasps, hornets, and bees are common in Virginia, and while they provide benefits to the environment, their stings can pose a risk to humans. By learning how to identify these insects and understanding their behavior, you can minimize your chances of painful encounters. If you suspect a nest near your property, it’s always safest to contact Century Termite & Pest Control to handle the removal.

By staying informed and vigilant, you can enjoy the outdoors safely while coexisting with these important yet potentially dangerous insects.