People sometimes ask me about dead bees that they see near bird houses. This makes them wonder if birds eat bees. In fact, some birds will eat bees even though most species of female bees have a stinger to protect themselves. Indeed, some bird species are famous for it!. Bees play an essential role as … Read more
Wasps are a particularly nasty insect to have living in your yard, landscaping, or around your garden. They are a nuisance, they are aggressive, and in the case of allergies, they can be deadly. If you have a wasp problem in your backyard and want to know how to get rid of them safely, here … Read more
One of the surest signs of warm weather is the arrival of carpenter bees. Each year, the adults will over-winter in abandoned nests, emerging in the spring to feed on nectar. We get a lot of calls about these pests, and for good reason: they can be very annoying and even dangerous to your property. … Read more
A bee is a flying insect with yellow and black stripes. But did you know there are some very dangerous types of black and white bees? It’s true. Even though most bees aren’t mean and just want to do their job of pollinating plants, there are some species you should stay away from. You can … Read more
Minnesota is home to over 400 species of native bees. Many of these bees are black in coloration, belonging to families like Andrenidae, Halictidae, and Melittidae. Here are some of the most common black bees you may encounter buzzing around your garden in the Land of 10000 Lakes. Mining Bees Mining bees in the Andrenidae … Read more
Big, bold, and buzzing—three innocuous words describing the frightening and seemingly “aggressive” force behind the Carpenter bee. Carpenter bees are one of the most feared springtime pests in the DMV. These three simple facts about them might surprise you. Carpenter Bees Hovering Around My House: What To Do As spring rolls around, you may start … Read more
At first glance bumble bees and yellow jackets appear quite similar. They are both flying insects with black and yellow coloring. However there are some important distinctions between these two types of insects. Understanding the differences can help you identify them properly and appreciate their unique roles in the environment. Appearance and Physical Characteristics Bumble … Read more
As a nature lover and avid gardener, I often find myself observing the different insects that frequent my flower beds and vegetable garden One type of insect I frequently see buzzing around are bumble bees With their large, fuzzy bodies and signature black and yellow striping, bumble bees are easy to recognize. However, there are … Read more
In general, honeybees and bumblebees are not overly aggressive when protecting their nest. However, both will readily sting to defend themselves or their colony. Honeybees sting more often than bumblebees, which is the main difference in how they behave when they shoot their venom. While a honeybee only stings once, a bumblebee is capable of … Read more
As a homeowner, nothing is more annoying than finding insects invading your personal space. Small black bees buzzing around indoors can be especially bothersome. While your first instinct may be to swat them, take a closer look before you do. Those little black bees could actually be helping your garden! Here’s what you need to … Read more