Bees Swarming?

Identify Different Bees And Their Behaviors: Honey Bees, Bumblebees, Carpenter Bees, Wasps, And Hornets. Learn About Swarming And Nesting.

Need Help? Give Us A Call!

Call Now Request An Estimate

1. Identify What You Are Seeing

Honey Bees: Typically golden-brown with black stripes. They are social and live in large colonies. Honey bee swarms are often seen in spring or early summer.
Bumblebees: Larger, with fuzzy bodies and a distinctive black and yellow pattern. They are less aggressive and usually nest in the ground or in cavities.
Carpenter Bees: Resemble bumblebees but have a shiny, black abdomen. They bore into wood to create nests.
Wasps and Hornets: These are not bees but are often mistaken for them. Wasps have slender bodies and smooth, shiny skin. Hornets are larger and more aggressive.

2. Assess the Situation

Swarming Behavior: Swarms are generally non-aggressive as bees are searching for a new home. This behavior is common in honey bees and typically occurs in the spring.
Nesting: If bees are actively entering and exiting a specific area, they may have established a nest.

‍

Bumble Bees

Pest Details

Color:

Black with yellow stripes.

Size:

1/2-1" inch long

Legs:

Shape:

Large Round & Fuzzy

Pest Habits & Characteristics

Presence of large, fuzzy bees flying low over flowers and vegetation.

Nests in hidden areas such as under porches or in abandoned burrows.

Image Attribute

Trounce, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons

Preparation For Service

N/A

Carpenter Bees

Pest Details

Color:

golden-yellow with brown bands

Size:

1/2" inch long

Legs:

Shape:

Oval

Pest Habits & Characteristics

Perfectly round holes in wood surfaces.

Sawdust near wooden structures.

Yellowish-brown stains on wood (bee excrement).

Presence of adult bees hovering around wooden structures.

Image Attribute

Carpenter Bee Photo Edited, Original Image - Insects Unlocked, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Preparation For Service

Inform the pest control professional of any specific areas where bees have been seen.

European Honey Bees

Pest Details

Color:

Golden-brown body with black bands; covered in fine yellowish hairs that give a fuzzy appearance.

Size:

Approximately ½ inch (12–15 mm) long. Queens are larger, up to 20 mm.

Legs:

Six legs, adapted for gathering pollen with special pollen baskets on the hind legs.

Shape:

Oval, segmented body with distinct head, thorax, and abdomen. The waist is slightly narrow; wings are clear and extend beyond the abdomen.

Pest Habits & Characteristics

Common signs of infestation:

Groups of bees entering and exiting a small hole or gap in siding, roofs, or walls
Persistent buzzing sounds within a wall or ceiling
Honey or wax residue seeping through walls or ceilings
Increased bee activity around flowering plants or water sources

Image Attribute

European Honey Bee

Preparation For Service

Preparation for service:

Do not attempt to seal the entry hole or spray chemicals yourself; this can drive bees deeper into the structure.
Keep children and pets away from the area.
Note the times of day when bee activity is highest and inform the technician.
If honeycomb is inside a structure, be prepared for possible wall opening and removal to prevent future infestations or odors from decaying honey.

European Hornet

Pest Details

Color:

Brown/muted grey with muted yellow stripes and a pale face.

Size:

1-1.5" inches long

Legs:

Shape:

Long and robust body with a narrow waist and large head.

Pest Habits & Characteristics

Presence of large hornets flying around nesting sites.

Large, paper-like nests in trees, attics, or wall voids.

Buzzing sound near nesting areas.

Increased hornet activity around outdoor lights at night.

Image Attribute

Sven Teschke, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

Preparation For Service

Avoid approaching the nest to prevent aggressive behavior.

Keep windows and doors closed, especially at night when lights are on.

Inform the pest control professional of the specific location of nests.

Paper Wasp

Pest Details

Color:

Yellow with black stripes.

Size:

3/4" to 1" Inch Long.

Legs:

Shape:

Slender body with a narrow waist and long legs that dangle in flight.

Pest Habits & Characteristics

Visible nests hanging from eaves or other sheltered locations.

Presence of adult wasps flying around and building their paper cone nests.

Image Attribute

Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Preparation For Service

Avoid disturbing the nests to prevent aggressive behavior.

Keep windows and doors closed to prevent wasps from entering the home.

Inform the pest control professional of the specific locations of nests.

Mud Dauber Wasp

Pest Details

Color:

Black with a metallic blue or green sheen.

Size:

1/2" to 1" Inch Long.

Legs:

Shape:

Slender body with a long, narrow waist and elongated abdomen.

Pest Habits & Characteristics

Mud nests attached to walls, ceilings, and other structures.

Presence of adult wasps flying near nesting sites.

Small, round holes in dried mud nests, indicating emerged wasps.

Image Attribute

Keenan Pepper, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons & Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons combined

Preparation For Service

Avoid disturbing the nests to prevent wasps from abandoning them.

Keep windows and doors closed to prevent wasps from entering the home.

Inform the pest control professional of the specific locations of nests.