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Bees and Wasps in Georgia: Prevention Tips for a Sting-Free Summer

Wasp nest found in Atlanta GA - Active Pest ControlIt can be difficult to tell bees and wasps apart. These insects are both small, winged, black and yellow critters capable of delivering painful stings. Though they are quite similar looking in many ways, they have differences that make them more easily identifiable from close range. We wrote out a few steps that will help you tell them apart, as well as some preventative measures that you can take to make your summer sting-free!

Remember that wasp and bee stings can cause serious allergic reactions in some people. If you or someone you know is at risk of adverse effects, call your local pest control company to see how they can help remove bees in your area.

Bees vs Wasps: How to Tell Them Apart

Wasps and bees have a few fundamental differences that set them apart from each other. Here are some easy ways to distinguish between the two:

  1. Visible traits: You can tell bees apart from wasps by their more rounded shape. This appearance comes from the hundreds of tiny hairs covering their bodies. Wasps might have very similar colorations to some bees, but they will appear more slender and shiny.
  2. Their nests: Bees make their nests out of wax, building hives with honeycomb structures. Wasps make their nests out of a mixture of chewed-up wood and saliva. They look like oval-shaped balls of layered paper with a hole in the bottom. If you see a beehive or a wasp nest too close to your property, the safest next step is to contact a local bee removal expert.
  3. Their habits: Wasps tend to be seen in fewer numbers, as they come from smaller colonies. They are also able to sting multiple times. Bees, on the other hand, are often surrounded by others of their kind, but they will die after stinging once.

How Do You Keep Bees Away?

Bees and wasps will almost never sting if unprovoked. That being said, there are a few things that we do that cause them to gravitate towards us, increasing the likelihood of a sting. These are a few precautions you can take to limit your exposure to wasps and bees: 

  • Avoid wearing sweet fragrances. Bees and wasps are more active in the spring and summer when the flowers have bloomed. If you’re wearing sweet-smelling lotion or perfume, you might be confused for a plant to pollinate, making you more likely to be stung.
  • Keep food and drinks covered. Aggressive wasps, such as yellow jackets, enjoy sweets and carbohydrate foods and will pester you during a picnic. They may also get inside soda cans and give you a real surprise as you take a drink. Keeping your food covered or eating within an enclosed screen can help reduce the bee and wasp threat.
  • Wear shoes when outdoors. Bees and wasps will sting when stepped on. Always wear shoes when walking around outdoors to prevent a painful encounter.

Professional Bee Control in Atlanta GA

With our large agriculture industry, bees are very active in Georgia, with plenty of plants to pollinate. If you start to see nests pop up around your home, it’s best to avoid them. Tampering with them could result in an attack from several insects at once. If you need a nest near your home removed, reach out to your local bee removal specialists. We train our technicians to use the most humane and ecologically responsible tactics to remove bees from residential areas. Contact us today for a free quote!

Bees and Wasps in Georgia: Prevention Tips for a Sting-Free Summer in Georgia

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