Stinging Insect Identification
Stinging Insects
What are stinging insects?
As their name suggests, stinging insects are insects that use a stinger to protect themselves or their colony from perceived danger. These insects are beneficial when living outside and away from people. Many species of stinging insects pollinate a variety of plants and crops, and predatory species keep populations of nuisance insects under control.
Listed below are quick descriptions of the most common stinging insects found in Port Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan.
Carpenter bees Carpenter bees are a solitary species. They are often mistaken for bumble bees. They look similar to one another, except that carpenter bees have smooth, shiny black abdomens, while bumblebees have hairy abdomens.
Paper wasps Paper wasps have a pinched waist and long, thin legs that dangle below their bodies when flying. Their bodies are black or brown in color with yellow or orange markings. Their wings are grayish in color. Paper wasp nests are shaped like umbrellas.
Yellow jackets Yellow jackets have segmented, hairless bodies and distinct, thin waists. When at rest, their wings fold laterally against their bodies. Their bodies have a well-defined yellow and black striped pattern on them. Their faces and heads are a blend of black and yellow colors.
Bumblebees Bumblebees are identified by their oval-shaped bodies that are completely fuzzy. Their bodies are black with yellow, orange, or reddish colored stripes, depending on the specific species. Many species have broad bands of color.
Mud daubers Mud daubers are a large, solitary species. They range in color from black to metallic blue and may or may not have yellow or green markings. Nests are made by the females, which consist of mud molded into place by the mud dauber's mandibles.
Bald-faced hornets Bald-faced hornets have long, thin, wasp-like bodies. Bald-faced hornets are black in color except for an off-white color pattern on their face, at the end of the abdomen, and on the thorax. Workers are covered by small hairs, while the queen remains hairless.
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“Good communication, fast service, and fair prices.”- Joe Bauer
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“Very happy with the spraying services. Hornets no more. Fast, friendly service. I signed up for yearly maintenance for spraying.”- Jennifer W.
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“Educated, professional and all around a 100% positive experience. I’ll be referring everyone to Eco Pest Control. Thank you for everything.”- Sophia W.
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“VERY rarely do I spot a bug in my home. If I do I give them a call and they come out the next day. Ken is incredibly kind, friendly, and helpful.”- Noel H.
How can I prevent stinging insects in the future?
In conjunction with our professional bee and wasp control services, doing the following can help to prevent problems with stinging insects:
- Caulk any holes in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
- Keep tree limbs, bushes, and shrubs trimmed away from the outside of your home.
- Place a tight-fitting cap on all chimneys.
- Eliminate water sources on your property.
- Clean up leftover food and drinks after eating outside.
- Place locking lids on all trash cans and compost bins.
- Place garden and compost areas a distance away from the outside of your home.
- Treat wooden structures on your property by painting or staining them (carpenter bees).
