Bees

Bombus

Bombus

The worker and queen bumble bee are all able to sting even though it doesn�t have barbs like the honey bee. Usually they do not aggress and will only sting when confronted.

They are considered endangered in many countries because of habitat damage and extreme pesticide use.

Size : 1 inches

Shape : Oval, bee shaped

Color : Black with yellow stripes

Legs : 6

Wings : Yes

Antenna : Yes

Common Name : Bumble Bee

Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum : Arthropoda

Class : Insecta

Order : Hymenoptera

Family : Apidae

Species : Bombus

Diet :  They feed on flower nectar and pollen. They also convert the pollen into compounds that they can feed to their young. They can travel up to 2 km in search of these food items.

They live in colonies not exceeding 50 insects. Naturally they nest in tunnels on the ground or build wax nests on grass. They also build their nests under roof beams and attics. They will aggressively defend their nests through multiple stinging.

Because of their unpredictable stinging behaviors, their nesting areas and materials ought to be removed immediately when sighted.

A visual inspection around the home can help in spotting their colonies and nesting sites which can then be removed through by pest management professionals.

Bumble bees are welcome as flower pollinators both in the wild and for agricultural crops.

They occasionally sting though their main concern is food and taking care of their colonies.


Carpenter Bee

Carpenter Bee

Carpenter bees are large black and yellow insects that have a world wide occurrence.

They do not live in colonies and are known for their characteristic buzzing around attics, roofs and trusses.

They will typically bore into dry wood creating visible holes of around � inch in diameter.

They feed on pollen and nectar even though they do not have pollen sacs like honey bees.

Its only the female species of the carpenter bee that is known to sting.

Size : 1 inches

Shape : Oval, bee shaped

Color : Blue-black

Legs : 6

Wings : Yes

Antenna : Yes

Common Name : Carpenter Bee

Kingdom : Animalia

Phylum : Arthropoda

Class : Insecta

Order : Hymenoptera

Family : Apidae

Species : Xylocopa

Diet :  They feed on pollen and nectar from flowers which they also gather to feed their young. They mainly pollinate flowers within 1 km radius from their nests.

These insects can be found both in the forest and residential areas. They bore on dry wood and create tunnels where they lay their eggs and nurse their larvae. These tunnels can be a few inches to a more than a foot long.

Timber and wood preservation. You can use paints or preservatives that are soaked in the wood.

You can also consult a pest management professional for more help since blocking their holes do not eliminate them entirely.

They damage timber that is used in construction by drilling holes into it.

They also cause disturbance through sound produced when flying.

Their large size also scares some people.