What kind of bee do I have? - Ask Extension
These bees have a nest under my storage shed in my yard. They have been there at least a year or two. I thought they were bumble bees until recently, ...
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What kind of bee do I have? #876055
Asked July 05, 2024, 7:34 PM EDT
These bees have a nest under my storage shed in my yard. They have been there at least a year or two. I thought they were bumble bees until recently, I noticed giant ones flying around, and they have been very aggressive -- have dive bombed my head when I'm not even near their nest and was stung on my face by one. A few people have looked at the attched pictures and said they are hornets, but these don't look like the hornets I've seen pictures of online.... And the next in under my shed and possibly in the ground under my shed, which from what I've read is how bumble bees nest, and hornets are up higher.. So I need an accurate identification of these bees so I can either get and exterminator or a bee relocator to take them away, as I can't even be in my yard and can't have family or friends here either with the aggressive behavior these bees have. I just spoke with a bee keeper and he thinks they may be aggressive because their hive is where a gate is attached and may be vibrating their hive when it is opened and closed. I am attaching a couple pictures that are a bit fuzzy, and another that I just took today showing where the bees are going in and out, and one bee.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Erin,
As you noted, the photos are blurry, but they do resemble a bumble bee and certainly not Yellowjackets or hornets or wasps. Bumble bees do nest in cavities in the ground.
Here's information from the Xerces Society on Bumble Bee Conservation.
If these bees are being a nuisance, (stinging in the face is definitely a nuisance!), then you could certainly get an exterminator out to kill them.
You could also rig up a large flag or clothes line with beach towels hanging from it. The continual movement will desensitize the bees to human sized movement in the yard. Or you could go with the exterminator option.
This fall after the first frost, block up the hole under the shed so you won't get a repeat nest next year.
As you noted, the photos are blurry, but they do resemble a bumble bee and certainly not Yellowjackets or hornets or wasps. Bumble bees do nest in cavities in the ground.
Here's information from the Xerces Society on Bumble Bee Conservation.
If these bees are being a nuisance, (stinging in the face is definitely a nuisance!), then you could certainly get an exterminator out to kill them.
You could also rig up a large flag or clothes line with beach towels hanging from it. The continual movement will desensitize the bees to human sized movement in the yard. Or you could go with the exterminator option.
This fall after the first frost, block up the hole under the shed so you won't get a repeat nest next year.
