Andrenidae: Family of insects including many species of ground and cavity nesting bees.
Anthophoridae: Family of insects including digger & carpenter bees.
Apidae: Family of insects including honey bees & bumble bees.
Bombus: Bumble bee species incorporating approximately 45 variant species in USA & Canada.
Cavity nesting bees: Solitary bees nesting in natural cavities can become an urban nuisance pest and can sting (not to be confused with yellow jacket and honey bee colonies which will also occupy cavities).
Cicada killers: This wasp (up to 2" long) is solitary. However, many may be present in the same area. The female cicada killer delivers a very painful sting if handled. Considered to be the most painful sting of any bee or insect.
Colletidae: Family of insects including many species of ground and cavity nesting bees.
Comb: A well structured collection of cells constructed by social insects such as honey bees, paper wasps, hornets and yellow jackets.
Digger wasps: Solitary wasps attracted to lawns infected with scarab beetles. Female paralyzes scarab larvae underground, which then sustains developing stages of the wasp.
European honey bee: A familiar insect which is highly beneficial in the pollination of food crops and for honey production. As the name suggests, a species introduced to the USA by early European settlers. Protected species in most states.
European hornet: Social insect introduced from Europe in the mid 1800's. Now present in more than 30 states. Adults up to 1.5 inches long. Prefer to nest in cavities.
European paper wasp: A social wasp (polistes dominulus) which is one of the earliest hibernation emergents in spring.
External nest: Found on structures, in trees, shrubs, etc. Includes nests constructed by bald-faced hornets, yellow jackets and paper wasps.
Ground bees: Includes several species that are solitary. May nest close together in large numbers. (Underground yellow jacket and bumble bee colonies often referred to as ground bees.)
Halictidae: Family of insects including sweat bees.
Hymenoptera: Order of insects that includes all ant, bee, wasp, hornet and yellow jacket species.
Insect colony: Organized social structure relevant to termites, ants and several species of wasps & bees. Colony usually consists of Queen(s), workers, soldiers (guards) and males.
Insect hibernation: All buildings may prove suitable as hibernation sites for insects including wasp & yellow-jacket queens, lady bugs, lady beetles and stink bugs.
Internal nest: Found in attics, wall & ceiling cavities, hollow trees, etc. Includes nests constructed by honey bees, yellow jackets, paper wasps and bumble bees.
Leaf cutting bees: A solitary bee that cuts & removes leaf tissue for nest construction. Causes negligible damage.
Megachilidae: Family of bees including leaf cutting bees.
Mimicry: An insect (for example, species of fly) adopts characteristics, such as color or shape, of another insect (for example, yellow jacket) to ward off predators.
Mud wasps: Solitary insect also referred to as mud dauber. Nest constructed from mud. A nuisance pest. Adults usually black or metallic. Very rarely sting.
Multillidae: Family of insects including velvet ants.
Overwintering Queen(s): Inseminated Queens that hibernate, emerging in spring to start new colonies (nests) including paper wasps, yellow jackets & hornets.
Paper nests: Constructed from wood pulp/saliva referred to as carton. Depending on species, may be located underground, in trees & shrubs, in building cavities and attics etc. A yellow jacket colony can be particularly dangerous in a building cavity as they may chew through drywall and enter the property in large numbers.
Polistes (Paper) wasps: Common name derived from paper-like material used in nest or hive construction. Also know as umbrella wasp. Nuisance pest that exists in small social colonies. Build nests in almost any protected location. Will sting if disturbed.
Potter wasps: Solitary wasps that get their common name from use of mud or clay in nest construction whis is pot or jug shaped. Rarely sting.
Psithyrus: Bumble bee species incorporating 6 variant species in the USA & Canada.
Scoliidae: Family of insects including digger wasps.
Siricidae: Family of insects including various species of wood wasps, also referred to as horntails.
Social insects: Includes ants, termites and several species of bees & wasps, existing in colonies working co-operatively. The Queen(s) produce eggs with workers focusing on nest building, defending the colony, foraging, caring for immature stages and tending the Queen.
Solitary wasps & bees: Insects that do not create organized social groups. However, large numbers may nest in close proximity to each other.
Spider wasps: Solitary wasps that deliver an extremely painful sting. Use paralyzed spiders as the host for development of their larvae in underground cells.
Swarm: A phenomenon associated with honey bees when the size of an existing colony gets too large for available space. Usually the old queen leaves the nest accompanied by a large number of workers.
Sweat bees: Solitary bees that can become a nuisance when attracted to perspiration. Can give a mild sting when brushed away.
Underground nest: Associated with many solitary wasps & bees. Also social colonies which can cause unfortunate accidents, particularly yellow jackets and bumble bees.
Velvet ants:- Solitary wasp: The female is distinctly very hairy, wingless, brightly colored and possesses a very potent sting. The male is winged, wasp-like and has no stinger.
Vespidae: Family of insects including paper wasps, bald faced hornets, European hornets, yellow jackets, potter & masonry wasps.
Vespula: Species including yellow jackets.
Wood wasps: Also known as the horntail, getting its common name(s) from its wasp-like appearance and possession of long 'stinger' egg laying tube. Larvae bore into wood. Adult up to 1.5" long. Does not sting.
Xylocoha: Various carpenter bee species.
Contact Bee Control Today
If you are having a problem with stinging insects or would like to protect your home from stinging insects like bumble bees, paper wasps, sand wasps, carpenter bees, bald-faced hornets, cicada killers, ground bees, or yellow jackets, Bee Control can help eliminate, remove, hunt, exterminate or prevent. Call us today at 1-866-466-2899. We service the entire Greater Pittsburgh area including the North Hills, South Hills, Sewickley, Murraysville, Ross Township, Cranberry Township, Wexford, Oakmont, Fox Chapel, Robinson Township, Moon, Mars, Hampton, Shaler, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Gibsonia, McCandless, Sewickley, Imperial, Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, Mount Lebanon, Brookline, Verona, Oakland, Shadyside, Sqirrel Hill, McKeesport, Greentree and surrounding areas.
We are available at all times to respond to situations involving stinging insect problems.
Our involvement ranges from fully comprehensive prevention applications to emergency response.
