Iron Mountain
906-774-1071
© 2025 Lakeshore Exterminating Company
Iron Mountain
906-774-1071
Hornets
Hornets are insects that are the largest wasps. Some
species can reach up to 5.5 cm (2.2 in) in length. The true
hornets make up the genus Vespa and are distinguished
from other vespines by the width of the vertex (part of the
head behind the eyes), which is proportionally larger in
Vespa and by the anteriorly rounded gasters (the section of
the abdomen behind the wasp waist). The best known
species is the European hornet (Vespa crabro), about 2–3.5
cm in length, widely distributed throughout Europe, Russia,
North America and Northeast Asia. Most species make
exposed nests in trees and shrubs, but some (like Vespa
orientalis) build their nests underground or in other cavities
Bees
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in
pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage
within the superfamily Apoidea presently considered as a clade Anthophila. There are
nearly 20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families, though many
are undescribed and the actual number is probably higher. They are found on every
continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-
pollinated flowering plants.
Bees are adapted for feeding on nectar and pollen, the
former primarily as an energy source and the latter
primarily for protein and other nutrients. Most pollen
is used as food for larvae.
Bees have a long proboscis (a complex "tongue") that
enables them to obtain the nectar from flowers. They
have antennae almost universally made up of 13
segments in males and 12 in females, as is typical for
the superfamily. Bees all have two pairs of wings, the hind pair being the smaller of the
two; in a very few species, one sex or caste has
relatively short wings that make flight difficult or
impossible, but none are wingless.
If you are experiencing a honey bee problem we will call
in a bee keeper to try to relocate the colony at no extra
charge to you. Honey bees are very important to our
ecosystem and we do not kill them unless it is
absolutely necessary.
Wasps
Wasps make up an enormously diverse array of insects, with some 30,000 identified
species. We are most familiar with those that are wrapped in bright warning colors—ones
that buzz angrily about in groups and threaten us with painful stings.
But most wasps are actually solitary, non-
stinging varieties. And all do far more good for
humans by controlling pest insect
populations than harm.
Wasps are distinguishable from bees by their
pointed lower abdomens and the narrow
"waist," called a petiole, that separates the
abdomen from the thorax. They come in every
color imaginable, from the familiar yellow to
brown, metallic blue, and bright red.
Generally, the brighter colored species are in the Vespidae, or stinging wasp, family.
All wasps build nests. Whereas bees secrete a waxy substance to construct their nests,
wasps create their familiar papery abodes from wood fibers scraped with their hard
mandibles and chewed into a pulp.
Wasps are divided into two primary subgroups: social and solitary. Social wasps account
for only about a thousand species and include formidable colony-builders, like yellow
jackets and hornets.
Some people can experience Anaphylaxis Shock when stung in severe cases if they are
not treated, it can be fatal.