Bees vs. Yellow Jackets: What’s the Difference?

Your summer BBQ is going splendidly—until a bee comes near your snack table. Or is it a wasp? While honeybees and yellow jacket wasps are similar in appearance, they are two distinct insects with many differences. When it comes to bees vs. yellow jackets, our comparative guide will turn you into a pro at spotting the difference.

What Are the Differences Between Honeybees and Yellow Jackets?

While honeybees and yellow jackets are often mistaken for one another because of their similar appearance, these two insects are quite different in several ways. 

Differences in Appearance 

At first glance, honeybees and yellow jackets look nearly identical. Knowing how the two differ in appearance can help you identify the insect on your property. 

Size

Honeybees and yellow jackets are similar in size, which makes them easy to confuse for one another. Adult worker honeybees can be anywhere from 0.3 to 0.5 inches long. Drones are 0.5 to 0.7 inches long. Queen honeybees are the largest in size, ranging from 0.7 to 0.9 inches in length. Yellow jacket workers are 0.5 inches long, while queens are about 0.75 inches long.

Color

When it comes to color, both honeybees and yellow jackets are stunning although slightly different in hue. Honeybees have honey brown and golden alternating bands with hairy bodies. Whereas yellow jackets have bright yellow and black alternating stripes with shiny, smooth bodies. 

Shape

Both honeybees and yellow jackets are oval-shaped. However, yellow jackets have narrow waistlines in which the abdomen joins with the thorax. Honeybees do not have the appearance of a narrow waist. 

Feeding Differences

Learn more about the feeding differences between honeybees and yellow jackets. 

Feeding Behavior of Honeybees 

Honeybees have two main food sources: nectar and pollen. Nectar is a sweet liquid that comes from plants and gives the honeybee energy. Nectar is also a necessary ingredient for making honey, which the entire colony survives off of during the winter. A honeybee colony needs 30 to 90 pounds of honey to survive during the winter. 

Pollen, on the other hand, is not only essential for plant reproduction but also provides proteins, lipids, vitamins, and other nutrients that honeybees need to grow. Honeybees diligently forage for food to nourish, grow, and sustain their colony. 

Feeding Behavior of Yellow Jackets 

This type of wasp feeds on sugary and carb-rich foods like nectar and fruit. They also eat protein sources such as fish, meats, and insects. However, yellow jackets aren’t picky and will feast on a variety of foods, including juices, candy, and desserts. 

These aggressive insects will even steal honey from honeybee colonies. The goal? Adult yellow jackets consume food for it to then be consumed by their larvae; this is a process known as trophallaxis. When food becomes scarce during the late summer and fall, yellow jackets become very aggressive in their hunt for food. 

Habitat Differences 

Honeybees and yellow jackets both build nests to live in and reproduce. Check out the differences in habitat between the two. 

Honeybee Habitat 

Scientists have found that honeybees originated from tropical climates and forest conditions. They are flexible insects and can adapt to a variety of habitats, both natural and domesticated. However, honeybees prefer to live in areas that are plentiful in flowering plants. Honeybees naturally nest inside large, hollow spaces in trees, logs, and cliffs. It’s vital that honeybees nest in areas that are abundant in pollen, nectar, and water. 

Yellow Jacket Habitat 

Yellow jackets nest in a variety of places, including animal burrows, rotted tree trunks, walls, ceilings, and mulch piles. They use wood fiber and saliva to brilliantly craft their honeycomb shaped nests which consist of several tiers. Yellow jacket nests are very secure, as they are completely enclosed and only have a small entry hole at the bottom. A single queen yellow jacket, known as the foundress, starts the nest which hosts thousands of workers. 

Removal Differences 

When you have a bee or wasp infestation on your hands, we recommend hiring a pro to safely remove the nest from your property. 

Honeybee Removal

There are DIY methods to remove honeybees from your property. For example, you may have success with building a smoky fire since honeybees are particularly sensitive to the smell. You could also try making a homemade repellent or adding plants to your yard. 

While honeybees aren’t as aggressive as yellowjackets, they are still likely to sting you if they feel threatened. For your safety and peace of mind, hiring a pro is often the best way to go. Bee removal costs between $75 to $2,000, depending on the size and location of the infestation. 

Yellow Jacket Removal

Unless you’re a trained professional, we never recommend removing a yellowjacket nest on your own. Yellowjackets are very aggressive and pack a powerful sting, which can be very painful and even life-threatening. If you discover a nest, call a local wasp removal pro right away. Your pro has both the knowledge and protective gear needed to eliminate the infestation safely. 

On average, yellowjacket removal costs range from $500 to $750, though your final price will depend on several factors such as nest size and location. 

Prevention Differences 

Consider how prevention differs based on which type of insect you’re dealing with. 

Honeybee Prevention

The best way to deter honeybees from nesting on your property is to identify and remove potential nesting sites. Honeybees can nest in a wide range of environments. They look to settle down in safe, enclosed areas with sufficient space. So, you’ll want to seal up any cracks or holes that you find in your home’s walls, foundations, and roof. Even openings as small as  ⅛ inch can provide enough space for honeybees to enter and nest. 

Additionally, cover your chimney and use a screen on windows, doors, attic vents, and meter boxes. Make sure your shed doors are in working condition and remain fully shut. You can also try using natural repellents. Bees are sensitive to strong scents like lavender, citronella, vinegar, and other similar scents. 

Yellow Jacket Prevention

There are several measures you can take to keep yellow jacket activity on your property to a minimum. Since yellowjackets feed on sweet, sugary food and proteins, it’s important to keep your trash receptacles tidy and closed. If you enjoy a delicious meal outside on the deck, clean up all traces of food afterwards. 

You can also limit potential nesting sites, such as tree stumps and openings in the ground and between walls. Avoid overwatering your plants, as yellowjackets are drawn to moist environments. Adorning your lawn with pungent plants, such as eucalyptus and peppermint, can also repel yellowjackets.