Hornet, Wasp and Bee

Spotted a bee in your home? Not sure whether the yellow and black insect you found is a  hornet, wasp or bee? Unfortunately, the education that most Singaporeans receive is insufficient for one to differentiate a bee from a wasp, and a hornet from a bee. It is important that homeowners are able to distinguish these pests from one another so that the best pest control methods can be employed to effectively get rid of them from their homes. However, the yellow and black colour scheme is uniform among the three species of insects, which makes it difficult to tell them apart. Nevertheless, there are some differences among them that would make the process of identifying them much simpler.

The Differences

Bees have fuzzy, round bodies that are engineered for them to collect pollen and assist in the pollination process of flowers. As their main source of food is the nectar and pollen from flowers, they are herbivorous and thus unlikely to attack humans unless provoked. The stings in their bodies are connected to their abdomen and used mainly to attack other bees. When bees use their stings on humans, their stings are left behind on our bodies and torn out of the bees’ abdomen, which causes them to die from shock. As such, they can only sting once.

Wasps, on the other hand, have a more streamlined body and narrower waist than bees. These omnivorous insects feed on caterpillars, nectar and occasionally attack human food as a food source. As they are natural scavengers and predators, their streamlined bodies allow them to fly at faster speeds than bees and they are more aggressive than their bumbling counterparts. Their stings are engineered to allow them to sting their enemies repeatedly, which makes them a far more dangerous pest than the bees.

Hornets are a subspecies of wasps that appear larger in size. Like hornets, they also possess a streamlined body to assist them in flight and are capable of stinging repeatedly.

The nests of these insects are very different. Bees live in beehives that can be easily identified by the honeycomb structure that has been popularised in the media today. Conversely, wasps and hornets live in nests that resemble a grey paper lantern with a hole at the bottom. The honeycomb structure that we see in beehives is replicated in wasp and hornet nests, but are hidden on the inside of the paper-like outer shell.

Facing an Infestation

If you suspect an infestation, do not attempt to attack the insects or their nests without proper equipment or training. These insects can be very aggressive when attacked and would not hesitate to sting you or attack the people near you in order to protect themselves. While many Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tutorials may be available online, it is not recommended that you follow these advice as they may do yourself more harm than good if you fail to execute your plans successfully. Instead, you should contact a reliable pest management service to leave the pest extermination process to the professionals. This would ensure that your problem is eliminated more effectively and at a faster rate.

Why Engage Pest Control Singapore ?

Pest Control Singapore is a reliable licensed pest control company that offers a wide range of pest control services for our customers, including hornet, wasp and bee control packages. Our staff are very well-trained in handling bee, wasp and hornet infestations and are well-versed in insect behaviour such that they can quickly and effectively eliminate these pests from your home. The pest control methods that we use are safe and effective, so that you and your family can enjoy a pest free environment as soon as possible without compromising your safety. Here at Pest Control Singapore, pest control services has never been more convenient.

Enquire about Wasp, Hornet or Bee Control Services

If you would like to know more about our services and packages available, please call us at our hotline +65 6589 5678 and our consultants will speak with you shortly.