What is the Difference Between a Bee and a Hornet?

Bees and hornets may look similar at first glance. But they have some clear differences if you know what to look for. They have distinct physical characteristics, nesting locations, diets, aggression levels, and sting severity.

How can you tell a Bee from a Hornet?

The easiest way to differentiate a bee vs. hornet is that bees look fuzzy, and hornets do not. Bees are rounder, and most bee species are black with orange, yellow, or tan stripes. Conversely, hornets are longer and thinner, and most hornet species are brown with yellow or yellowish-red stripes.

Many species of bee will nest in the ground, while honeybees nest in natural cavities like tree trunks – or in structural spaces like chimneys. Carpenter bees are unique among bees… nesting in tunnels they bore into untreated wood.

Hornet species also vary in their choice of a nesting site. Like bees, they may nest in tree hollows, or they may find your walls, attic, and roof eaves to be a hospitable place to make their home.

Bees feed on nectar, pollen and the royal jelly produced by a hive’s queen. Hornets have a broader diet, consuming tree sap, leaves, fallen fruit, and other insects.

Are Hornets More Aggressive Than Bees?

Hornets are more aggressive than bees, especially when they perceive a threat to their nest. Certain species of hornets – like the bald-faced hornet – will sting even when no threat is present. This isn’t to say that bees can’t be aggressive… especially when a hive is overcrowded, under stress, or when a genetic mutation has occurred in a bee population.

Is a Bee Sting Worse Than a Hornet Sting?

The severity of a sting depends on the species of bee or hornet but, in general, hornet stings are more painful and bee stings have more venom. The initial discomfort from a hornet sting may be worse, but the effect of a bee’s venom might cause more sustained adverse reactions. This is particularly true in individuals with bee allergies. When it comes to a bee sting vs. hornet sting, your choice obviously should be “neither.”

Do Bees and Hornets Get Along?

Bees and hornets are natural enemies. Hornets are predators that see a bee colony as a food-laden buffet. They will eat both adult and larval bees, and regularly raid beehives to steal both bee larvae and the nectar that bees store as a food source.

Twin Forks Pest Control® Safely Removes Bees and Hornets from Your Property

Bees and hornets are fascinating creatures, each with a critical place in the ecosystem. Sometimes, though, it becomes necessary to remove them from your property in order to ensure your family’s safety. Bee or hornet removal should be done by trained professionals like our expert team at Twin Forks Pest Control®. Contact us today for a free estimate, or call (631) 324-9020 in Easthampton, (631) 287-9020 in Southampton, or (631) 298-0500 in Southold.