08/04/2026
HELP! ARE THESE BEES OR YELLOW JACKETS?
How do you know if you are dealing with honey bees or yellow jackets? Here are three quick tips to help identify your mystery bug.
1. Yellow jackets and bees are both striped. Yellow jackets have a bright yellow against black pattern. Honey bees have golden yellow.
2. Yellow jacket nests are typically found underground, with one major entrance to the nest, typically a small hole. Yellow jackets are highly aggressive and will sting quickly. Bee hives are found above ground normally, sometimes even in the walls of homes.
3. Yellow jackets are wasps and do not pollinate. If the insect is flying from flower to flower, it's a honey bee.
