Stinging Insects

Understanding The Stinging Insect

With a classification like stinging insect, you’d think you’d know everything there is to know about the bug just by reading the name. Sure, they might be stinging insects, but there is much more to be discovered. Much more that will help with elimination as well as prevention, which is the end goal. The wasp, bee, yellowjacket, and hornet might fall into the stinging insect classification, but so does the ant. That’s right, the ant is also part of the Hymenoptera family that these stingers are located in.

While these pests can potentially sting unwitting suspects, some might would consider them beneficial pollinators. In addition to this, most don’t even pose a threat until they feel threatened themselves. Unfortunately, this is something that will make removal near impossible, but there are tons of other ways to go about the task. There are also plenty of professionals you can turn to. Our highly trained techs are always more than willing to help when and where needed.

Does My Rochester Home Have Stinging Insects?

Although they might not appear aggressive, it can be easy to come upon these critters without knowledge. Given the way that some of them build their nests and colonies, you can unsuspectingly walk upon these critters without giving it a second thought. You don’t need anyone telling you just how dangerous this can be. That being said, there are two possible ways to identify a stinging insect. This would be by the appearance of the insect itself and the appearance of the nest. Here’s what you need to know:

The Paper Wasp

• The paper wasp is small in size with a grayish round shape
• It is a mid-level aggressive pest that doesn’t usually sting until threatened
• If close contact is made or the pest is touched, it will sting
• They construct honeycomb-type nests usually located under eaves, overhangs, or on fences

The European Paper Wasp

• This is another mid-level aggressive bee that builds honeycomb nests
• The European version is, however, striped yellow and black with orange antennae
• It commonly gets mistaken for the bumblebee but is larger with hind legs that dangle during flight

Northern Paper Wasp

• Another mid-level aggressive bee that constructs honeycomb hives
• This one, however, has a brown body with dark orange spots
• They are extremely thin and sometimes have white stripes on the abdomen

The Yellowjacket

• A highly aggressive bee that appears in abundance in the late summer and fall
• These bees are more present when their colony reaches its largest size
• They build extremely large nests that can house hundreds to thousands of bees
• They are black and yellow with striped stomachs, black heads, and antennae
• They build nests that can be found in attics, under porches, or in dense bushes
• With their ability to tuck their legs into their stomach, they can fly extremely fast

The Bald-Faced Hornet

• Highly aggressive bees that get even more aggressive in the late summer and fall
• This is when their colonies reach their maximum size and they venture off to start new ones
• Their nests are usually highly noticeable, as they appear like large teardrops
• Their nests are attached to trees, bushes, or the sides of buildings
• With black and white smooth bodies, they don’t have a problem standing out from the rest
• They have large heads with bigger thoraxes and the abdomen is where the stinger is located

Honey Bee

• A low to mid-level aggressive bee that is common in Rochester
• They have been bred in our area for generations with gentleness in mind
• They are as close to sweetheart and friendly stinging insects as you can get
• Their hives are extensive combs made of wax and usually found in wall cavities, hollow trees, and rock crevices
• Their colonies can survive for years even though the winter because they feed off the honey they produce
• Orange/yellow in appearance with fuzzy bodies, heads, thoraxes, and an abdomen with a stinger

The Carpenter Bee

• A low aggressive bee that bores perfectly round holes into wood siding, fascia boards, and decks
• They usually appear in the spring and don’t eat the wood they bore through
• While they are larger, they won’t sting when approached
• They are yellow, black, and fuzzy with a shiny hairless abdomen
• The males have yellow spots on their face

Are Stinging Insects Dangerous

Stinging insects can be dangerous. They can be even more dangerous to individuals that are allergic to the stings. While many of them are not aggressive, they still can be lethal under the right circumstances. It is the males that are more aggressive. The real problem comes with the ground nests. Some species build ground nests and you can easily walk right upon them without knowing it. They will see this as a threat and attack. This is one of the worst possible and most dangerous scenarios

Why Are Stinging Insects In Rochester?

The stinging insect could be classified as an opportunistic builder. Given the opportunity, and they will build their nests and colonies just about anywhere. Some even break off and build additional colonies when the primary one grows so large. This is also when they’ll be at their most aggressive, so one must be extremely careful.

How To Eliminate Stinging Insects

You likely do not need anyone telling you that it can be dangerous trying to remove stinging insects. Although not aggressive, they will see you trying to remove them as a threat. There are tons of DIY pesticides and chemicals available for removal, but that doesn’t mean all of these products are effective. That’s because most over-the-counter products don’t contain all the necessary ingredients. The ingredients needed to successfully eliminate these critters are illegal, and can only be purchased by licensed and trained pest management specialists.

When Can You Get Here?

We stay busy all year round in Rochester. With our knowledge of the pest industry and access to innovative tools, we stay busy. Combine this with the fact that we also handle a wide range of other pests, and it’s probably not easy to see why we are always out of the office. That being said, you give us a call, set up an appointment, and we’ll get someone out to the property within the next 24 to 48 hours. We do have emergency services available if and when they are needed. All you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call!

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