How to distinguish bees and wasps

How to distinguish bees and wasps

Bees and wasps are brothers on the evolutionary chain. They are so close they sit in the same Order of species as bees and even act similarly. The larval stage looks almost identical and many scientists believe that these insects may have evolved from bees while other believe the wasp evolved parallel to the bee as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Either way, wasps are quite different from bees but in many ways the same. The mostly differ in their nesting habits, their food acquisition and their sociability.

If you suspect wasp presence anywhere near or on your property, contact wasp removal Guelph for quick and safe removal.

How to distinguish bees and wasps

The greatest similarity between bees and wasps is their structure. Both bees and wasps are part of the sub order Apocrita which is typified by a narrow junction between the abdomen and the thorax. That is where they get their thin-waisted appearance and their frightening slouch. 

If you have ever been stung by a wasp then you know they are no fun at all. Their sting is not only painful but can be dangerous as it releases toxins into the body that some people are allergic to. If someone is allergic to a wasp sting and get stung they could end up in the hospital or even worse, they could end up dead. Of course bees can sting as well and many people are allergic to bees and can die from one sting so again we see the similarities over the differences. 

Bees are much less aggressive than wasps but will defend their nest if threatened. The bees stinger is a defensive weapon and they know not to use it unless it is their last hope because as soon as they sting you they will die. This is a major difference. Female wasps can sting indefinitely, over and over, they do not die when they lose their stinger and their stinger, unless it breaks off, does not stay in you like a bee stinger does. That is why a bee sting can be more painful and hurt for longer. 

Wasps are also easily provoked unlike bees. Bees will ignore you like drones if you enter their territory, they will only get mad if you threaten them or their nest by waving your arms about or spraying insecticide. Wasps will attack you simply for walking on their property. They have no issue stinging a human over and over again and if there is a swarm you may be rendered unconscious while the swarm continues to sting you. This can be life-threatening and a swarm of wasps can most certainly kill someone. 

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