Some bees and wasps prefer living a solitary life, but others are known for being social. Social wasps include yellow jackets, paper wasps and hornets, which keep Middlesex County NJ pest control companies busy in summer. Social bees include honey bees and bumble bees. So, how long do these insects live?
Social Wasps
Most social wasps only live for one year. The exception is the colony’s queen, who finds shelter during the winter months, then emerges in spring to build a nest. After laying her eggs, the new workers that hatch help to maintain the nest. A new queen eventually takes over, while the old queen and other members of the colony die off as temperatures drop in fall.
Social Bees
Bumble bees have a similar life cycle to social wasps. Fertilized females make their way to hibernation sites to spend the winter months, while males and other workers die when the temperatures fall. A queen emerges in spring and lays eggs that produce a new family of worker bees. Honey bees have colonies that typically last for more than a year. The queen and some workers survive the winter months by clustering together for heat.
If social bees or wasps are causing problems on your property, please contact Allison Pest Control. As one of the leading Middlesex County NJ pest control companies, we’ll take care of stinging pests in your yard safely and effectively.