Types of Bees in the Puget Sound:

   

Pest

Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps, Bees

Pest Category

Bees & Wasps

Do Bees & Wasps carry disease?

No

Do Bees & Wasps cause structural damage?

Yes, if the hive was built inside. The hives, when lying on drywall, can cause the drywall to disintegrate and this can lead very large numbers of Yellow Jackets emerging into a structure unexpectedly. It can lead to dangerous situation.

Other damage

(Venomous)

Signs to look for : Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps and Bees

Hives in and around structures, high levels of Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps and Bees activity around the outside of structures and constant activity coming from and going into any particular opening.

Where are Bees & Wasps noticed?

Yellow Jackets build hives that start small and become much bigger over the warmer season. This wasp can build their hives almost anywhere. They can be found attached to a structure up high and closer to the ground. They can be found in attics, wall voids, crawlspaces, underside of decks, in shrubbery, trees and in the ground. When you see a large amount of Yellow Jacket activity going in and out of a particular opening it means you have a problem.

Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps and Bees Habits

In the Northwest, there are a few suspect species that recur readily. The most common of these are the Yellow-jackets and the paper wasps. Of the two the Yellow-jacket is typically the more aggressive with the paper wasps often opting to shy away from human interaction which results in fewer sting incidents. Nevertheless, these are both nuisance pests that need to be addressed around homes and businesses in the northwest.

If Untreated...

Possible stings to people or pets.

Wasp and Bee Tips

Perform a preventative, exterior wasp treatment around the outside of a structure each spring and fall, which will greatly reduce the wasp population before they have a chance to build any significant hives. The lower the wasp population, the less chance of wasp problems. (Return to the Pest Diagnosis Tool)