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
Spring brings the return of the birds and the bees to our yards and gardens. The sound of birds singing may be a nice sign of spring, but many people don’t like it when wasps and bees come back to their garden. In particular, the ground nesting bees that become more active in many lawns … Read more
Bees flying around or inside your home can be annoying and even dangerous. Finding where they are entering from is the first step to getting rid of them. With some detective work you can locate their access point and block it to prevent bees from returning. Watch for Clues The best way to start finding … Read more
The Sleep Habits and Nocturnal Activities of Carpenter Bees Carpenter bees are active and industrious insects during daylight hours. But when the sun goes down, what happens? Do carpenter bees sleep at night? Where do they spend their evenings, and what drives their nocturnal behavior? This article will explore the sleep cycles, resting places, and … Read more
Orange-belted bumblebees are one of the most recognizable bee species, thanks to the bright orange band around their abdomen. While the sight of their colorful fuzz and loud buzzing can be alarming, are orange bees truly dangerous? The short answer is that orange bees do pose some risk through their stings, but they are generally … Read more