Bee Identification Vancouver: Learn About Bees
Learn About The Types of Bees In Vancouver
Wasps, hornets, yellow jackets can carry a nasty sting! These stinging insects can be dangerous to people and should not be near your home and family. Bees on the other hand are the world’s most efficient pollinators and are best left alone whenever possible.
Westside Pest Control Ltd. experts technicians share some insights into the life of bees and how you can identify the different types of bees. If you have issues with Bees around your home it’s best to get in touch with a humane pest control company or bee keeper.
Common Types of Bees Seen In Vancouver
Honey Bees
Species: Apis mellifera
Honeybee nests are commonly found in hollows of trees, or in the walls and ceilings of houses. They nest in empty, enclosed spaces. Honeybee swarms are something different; when they are not a giant cloud of tens of thousands of bees in the sky, they form clusters that hang from trees or clump onto buildings. Swarms are not permanent, the bees send scouts to look for new places to live, and generally last a few hours to a few days.
Bumblebee
Species: Bombus vosnesenskii, Bombus mixtus
Bumblebees nests are commonly found in birdhouses, composts, under sheds, and in the insulation of buildings. Nests are usually covered with insulation or other light material, but when this is removed they can be seen to consist of yellow, bulbous cup-like structures made of wax. Bumblebees are important native pollinators of flowers and food crops.
Mason Bees
Species: Osmia lignaria
The mason bee are solitary, stingless bees that are excellent pollinators. Mason bee houses are commonly sold at garden shops. Mason bees nest in small tube-like spaces, sometimes nesting in the small gaps between shingle siding of houses. They are harmless, and cause no damage to structures. The procedure is to let them be.
Other Types of Bees Seen in Vancouver
Let’s take a closer look at these pesky flying species so you can identify them and locate the source of infestation:
Species: Megachile sp.
This is a leafcutter bee. They make small tunnel-like nests with several cells composed of rolled up leaves. Each cell houses a single egg with some pollen and nectar for the developing larva. They do not aggressively defend their nests. Occasionally we will receive calls for these solitary bees, but much like mason bees, our advice is to leave them be.
Species: Andrena fucata
This is an andrena bee. We very rarely get calls for these solitary, stingless digger bees, but when we do the bees are nesting in sandy soil, erupting from tiny holes. As with most bees, their human neighbours perceive them as a potential threat, and think the best thing is to get rid of them. However, like mason and leafcutter bees, these bees are harmless and are a tremendous benefit to ecosystems. They are great native pollinators and should be left to live out their life cycles in peace, even welcomed.
It is estimated that there are around 500 species of bees in British Columbia. Bees span a wide variety of colours, shapes and sizes from 6 different families including Apidae, Halictidae, Megachilidae, Andrenidae and Colletidae. Melittidae
For information about pollinators in southern BC, you might be interested in a Report carried out by professors at SFU.
Got Problems With Wasps Inside or Around Your Home?
First things first… DIY pest control can be very dangerous with the correct safety equipment. Leave the removal and extermination of pests to the experts. Call a local Pest Control company to handle it for you.
Westside Pest Control can help with all sorts of Home Pest Control Issues:
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How to tell the difference between a Bees, Wasp and Hornets nest
The first thing to look out for is a grey or brown paper nest. Then you know it’s a wasp or hornet’s nest
Honeybees make their nests from wax that they secrete from special glands on their abdomens. Together they construct layers of hanging combs that are situated vertically. There are tens of thousands of honeybees per colony and they will almost completely cover the comb. Whenever you see a huge clump of bees, it is honeybees that you are seeing. Wasps and bumblebees do not behave in this manner.
We Can Help With Hornet And Wasp Control in Vancouver
After a few simple questions, free estimates can be given over the phone for wasp control in Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland. Call the Vancouver Pest Control experts now at 604-559-9060 or contact Westside Pest Control by email.