When you see a buzzing insect, it can be difficult to tell if it’s a harmless honey bee or a more aggressive stinging insect like a wasp or yellow jacket. In the Midwest, especially in Wisconsin, you're likely to encounter a variety of stinging pollinators. In this blog, we’ll break down the differences between honey bees and other stinging insects, discuss their behaviors, and share tips on how to protect both them and yourself. Plus, we’ll dive into some frequently asked questions about ground bees and invasive species.
Honey bees are herbivores, meaning they feed exclusively on nectar and pollen from flowers. These busy little pollinators are essential to our ecosystems and agriculture, responsible for pollinating many crops and flowers that sustain our food supply. Here's what you need to know about honey bees:
Sting Behavior: Honey bees are generally non-aggressive and only sting when they feel severely threatened. They can only sting once, as their stinger is barbed and becomes lodged in the skin, causing the bee to die after stinging.
Pollination Power: Honey bees pollinate countless crops, such as apples, blueberries, and almonds. Their contribution is invaluable to agriculture.
Living Spaces: Honey bees typically live in hives, either wild in hollow trees or maintained by beekeepers. They are not solitary bees, and most of the colony is made up of female worker bees who gather pollen and nectar.
Problems They Face: Honey bees face significant challenges like habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and diseases such as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This decline in honey bee populations is alarming, as they play a critical role in food production and biodiversity.
Ground Bees: Solitary Yet Beneficial Pollinators
Ground bees are a common concern in the Midwest, and we often receive questions about them. Unlike honey bees, ground bees are solitary creatures that nest in the soil. Though their burrowing habits may look alarming, these bees are actually harmless and beneficial.
Sting Behavior: Ground bees are generally non-aggressive and rarely sting unless they are directly disturbed. Their stings are much less painful than those of wasps or yellow jackets.
Living Spaces: These bees build individual nests in the ground, typically in dry, sandy areas with sparse vegetation. You may notice small mounds or holes in your yard where ground bees have established their homes.
Pollination Role: Ground bees are important pollinators for native plants and crops. They help keep your garden and local ecosystem thriving.
Management: Ground bees do not pose a threat and are beneficial to the environment. If you need to manage them, avoid using chemicals. Simply watering the area regularly will encourage them to move on, as they prefer drier conditions for nesting.
Other Stinging Pollinators: Omnivores with a Sting
Unlike honey bees, many other stinging insects, including wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and ground bees, are omnivores. They eat a mix of plant-based foods and other insects. This makes them beneficial in controlling pest populations but more prone to aggressive behavior. Here’s more about them:
Wasp and Yellow Jackets: These are often the most aggressive stingers. Wasps and yellow jackets can sting multiple times and don’t die after stinging. They are drawn to sweet foods, particularly as the weather cools down, and can become more aggressive when food sources become scarce.
Living Spaces: Wasps and yellow jackets often build nests in the ground, trees, eaves, and wall voids.
Sting Behavior: Yellow jackets and wasps can sting without much provocation, especially in late summer or fall when they become more defensive. Their stings release pheromones that attract other wasps, potentially leading to multiple stings.
Hornets: Hornets are a type of wasp but tend to be larger. While they play an important role in controlling garden pests, their nests are usually aerial, often built in trees or under eaves. Like other wasps, they can sting multiple times and tend to be aggressive if they perceive a threat.
Why Stinging Insects Sting: Behavior and Triggers
Defending the Hive: Honey bees, wasps, and hornets will sting to protect their nests or hives. Honey bees, especially, will only sting when they feel their colony is at risk.
Food Defense: Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets often defend food sources, especially in the fall when they’re scavenging for sugars. The scent of ripe or fallen fruit is a common trigger for their aggression.
Pheromones: Once a stinging insect attacks, it releases a pheromone that signals others to join the defense. This is why swarms can sometimes occur when a wasp or hornet nest is disturbed.
The Problem with Invasive Species: Which Stinging Insects Are Invaders?
European Hornet: While not native to the U.S., the European hornet has become common in parts of the Midwest. They are much larger than native species and tend to be more aggressive.
Yellow Jackets: Some species of yellow jackets are invasive and can outcompete native pollinators. These species are more likely to build nests in unusual places, such as inside wall cavities or under porches.
Non-Native Wasps: Several types of wasps have made their way to North America from Europe or Asia, often hitchhiking in goods or materials. These non-native species can disrupt local ecosystems by competing with native pollinators for food and habitat.
How to Protect Pollinators and Yourself
Honey bees and other stinging pollinators play an important role in ecosystems, so it’s crucial to balance protecting yourself with protecting them. Here are some tips:
Remove Ripe Fruit: If you have fruit trees, especially apples, pears, or peaches, keep an eye on ripe fruit and make sure to pick it up quickly once it falls. Fallen fruit is a magnet for yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps in late summer and fall, increasing the chance of stings.
Seal Cracks and Openings: Stinging insects often find their way into homes through small cracks, especially in late fall when they’re seeking warmth. Seal up any cracks in walls, windows, and foundations to prevent wasps, hornets, and other insects from nesting indoors.
Maintain Distance: If you find a bee or wasp nest near your home, don’t disturb it. Most stinging insects will not sting unless they feel threatened. If the nest is too close for comfort, contact a professional for safe removal.
Plant Pollinator-Friendly Gardens: If you want to help support pollinators like honey bees and bumblebees, plant native wildflowers, herbs, and flowering plants in your garden. Just be mindful of where you plant these to avoid attracting stinging insects to high-traffic areas.
Provide Water Sources: Bees need water to hydrate and to help cool their hives. By providing a shallow water source in your garden, you can help them stay healthy. A simple dish with a few pebbles works wonders.
Understanding Stinging Allergies: When to Be Extra Cautious
For most people, a sting from a honey bee, wasp, or yellow jacket may result in temporary pain, swelling, or redness. However, for individuals with allergies to insect stings, these encounters can be much more serious. An allergic reaction to a sting can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Signs of an Allergic Reaction:
Swelling beyond the sting site (such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat)
Difficulty breathing or wheezing
Rapid or weak pulse
Dizziness or fainting
Hives, itching, or a rash across the body
If someone is stung and experiences any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Those with known allergies to stings should always carry an epinephrine injector (such as an EpiPen) and alert others around them to the potential for a severe reaction.
How Be Green Pro Can Help
At Be Green Pro, we are passionate about keeping landscapes safe and healthy for people, pets, and pollinators. We do not treat stinging insects like bees, wasps, or hornets with chemicals. However, if you’re dealing with an infestation that’s threatening your safety, we can recommend trusted partners for removal. We also offer environmentally friendly services to help manage your landscape in a way that minimizes the attraction of stinging insects to your property.
Conclusion: Coexisting with Pollinators
Pollinators, whether they’re honey bees or other stinging insects, play a critical role in the health of our environment. Understanding their behavior, managing your outdoor spaces, and taking proactive steps can help you safely coexist with them while enjoying your yard. For more information about managing your landscape to protect pollinators and reduce risks to your family, contact Be Green Pro. We’re here to help you create a safe, sustainable environment that everyone—including pollinators—can enjoy.
By keeping your property maintained and following these simple tips, you can reduce your risk of unpleasant encounters with stinging insects while still doing your part to help the environment.
Link for The Milwaukee Waukesha Beekeepers Association where you can learn more about the application and instructions for becoming a beekeeper and what to do if you find a bee swarm.
