Bees and Wasps

Are the bumble bees disappearing?

Yes. In recent years there has been a noticeable decline in the honeybee population. This is due to a variety of factors, including pesticides and fungicides which contaminates the pollen bees feed to their colony. Since bees are an important part of our ecosystem, it is important to get rid of them safely. To keep bees at bay, don’t use sweet smelling perfumes or sprays, as this can attract them. Burn a citronella candle, and sprinkle garlic around the area. Bees will be repelled by the smell. Bumblebees are reluctant to sting, and will only do so if provoked. Typically humans and bumblebees can live together with no problems. However, if you feel it has gotten out of control, and the organic methods aren’t working, give A-Landlords a call.

Does gender play a role in a bee’s occupation?

Yes, gender does play a role in a bee’s occupation. Only females can be Worker Bees. The Worker Bee does everything from feeding and caring for the young and queen to cleaning, repairing, protecting and caring for the hive. Only males can be Drones. A Drones main responsibility is to find a queen and mate with her.

Can bees communicate with each other?

Yes, bees can communicate by sharing food, pheromones, or through a series of movements. Bees use these three things to inform other Bees where there is food, how far away the food is, the type of food and its quality. When a bee finds a bountiful food source it will fly in certain pattern to inform the rest of the hive about it. This process is called the ‘Waggle Dance’. The Waggle Dance is used to communicate the direction and distance of a food source. Bees sometimes share their food so other Worker Bees can see the quality of the food source. Lastly they use pheromones or odor cues to alert other bees to what type of flowers the food source came from. 

Do bees have facial recognition?

Yes, they do! A study was done in 2005, by Arain Dyer at Monash University which proved this to be true. The study concluded that bees could identify the faces of people who they affiliated with giving them a sugary treat, such as flowers, 75 % of the time.

Do bees know if and when their queen dies?

Yes, Honey Bees are able to detect if their queen is alive or dead by the smell of her pheromones. If a queen dies before her time, the worker bee will start the process of creating a new queen from the existing larvae which is under 3 days old.

Can Wasps Become More Aggressive?

Yes, wasps can become more aggressive. When a wasp stings something or feels it is in harm’s way, it will leave a pheromone scent to alert other wasps of the potential danger. This pheromone causes other wasps to become more aggressive. This is why it is important not to aggravate a wasp when they are near their nest or other wasps.

How Can You Tell a Bee From a Wasp?

You can tell a bee apart from a wasp by their body shape. A wasp’s body shape will look smooth, shiny, and slender, whereas a bee’s body will be more robust and covered in hair from head to toe. Also, a wasp’s body structure is distinctly different due to the lower abdomen and waist. A wasp’s waist is the narrowest part of their body, which separates the thorax from the abdomen.

What Color Is a Wasp?

Wasps come is many different colors from yellow and brown to bright blue and red. The rule of thumb is, the brighter and more vibrantly colored the wasp is, the more likely it will sting you. All wasp stings can be potentially hazardous to one’s health. It is important when you come in contact with a wasp to precede with caution no matter the color.

How Can I Tell If The Nest In My Yard Is Inhabited By Bees Or Wasps?

Since Wasps do not produce wax or honey, their nest are made out of wood, mud, and saliva. Their nests tend to look like they are made of a papery substance and appear a light brown color. Whereas a bee’s nest is made out of wax cells. Here is another thing to be on the lookout for- Are the Bees Swarming the Nest? If yes, this is a tall tale sign that it is in fact a Bees Nest. This is because bees will swarm their nest where wasps will not. 

Do Other Animals Eat Wasps?

Yes, due to their bright colors wasps tend to become the prey of birds, reptiles, and other amphibians.

Does Wearing a Certain Color Attract Wasps?

Yes, wasps are attracted to certain colors. They are mainly attracted to yellow and white. To help avoid unintentional contact with wasps, it is important to wear specific colors when working outdoors. It is a known fact that many insects have trouble seeing the color red. Wearing the color red would be your best bet for avoiding unintentional contact with wasps. It won't do you any favors with bulls, though...