Pest group
Bees & Wasps
Nests under eaves, in walls and in the ground: when to leave them, when to act and how to stay safe.
Identify at a glance
Size, key marks and where each bees & wasps pest shows up first, with the threat level and the first step to take.
| Pest | Threat | Size and key marks | Where to look | First step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bees | Moderate | 1/2 to 1 inch (13–25 mm). Carpenter bees: shiny black abdomen; honey bees: fuzzy, golden-brown. | Fascia, eaves, decks and untreated wood (carpenter bees); wall voids, trees (honey bees) | Paint or stain exposed wood |
| Wasps & Yellow Jackets | High | 1/2 to 1 inch (13–25 mm). Smooth, narrow waist; yellow-and-black or brown with yellow bands. | Eaves, sheds, playsets, wall voids, ground holes (yellow jackets) | Knock down small starter nests early in spring |
When to call a professional
- BeesHoney bees nesting inside a wall (call a beekeeper for live removal)
- Wasps & Yellow JacketsNest inside a wall, attic or ground near a path
Latest bees & wasps guides
Other pest groups
- Household InsectsAnts, roaches, bed bugs and the other insects that move indoors for food, water and warmth.
- Spiders & CrawlersSpiders, scorpions, ticks and the many-legged crawlers found in basements and yards.
- Rodents & ShrewsMice, rats, squirrels and their relatives: signs, traps, exclusion and cleanup.
- Lawn & Garden PestsDiggers and grazers that tunnel lawns, raid vegetable beds and undermine foundations.
- WildlifeRaccoons, skunks, bats, snakes and birds: humane removal, repellents and the laws that apply.
Photo credits
Thank you to Alvesgaspar and Tdolphin~plwiki for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.