Welcome

 The European paper wasp (P. dominula) is generally black in color and marked with yellow. They are fairly slender-bodied insects with a distinct constriction of the body between the thorax and abdomen. Also, the long hind legs of paper wasps tend to trail below when the insects are in flight. The European paper wasp is relatively non-aggressive and less likely to sting 

 The most common hornet species is the baldfaced hornet (D. maculata), which is stout-bodied and marked with dark and white striping. Stings from hornets usually occur when nests are disturbed. 

 Yellow jackets (Vespula spp.) are banded yellow or orange and black and sometimes are mistaken for honey bees, but they lack the hairy body and are more intensely colored. A somewhat blunter, more compact body form distinguishes yellow jackets from the European paper wasp 

 Attached to wood on the underside of porch decks, eaves, or other overhangs; and in dark cavities.

Paper comb, no surrounding envelope. 

 Attached to tree or shrub branches or under building eaves.

 Paper comb with surrounding envelope.

  Underground using existing hollows, such as those in children’s playground equipment.

Paper comb with surrounding envelope.

When a honey bee swarm can not find an appropriate enclosed cavity, be it in a tree or the walls of your house, they build their comb outside exposed to the elements. This is rare, and if it happens where there is winter, they will not survive. Unlike the wast and hornet nests pictured above, honey bee comb is comprised of parallel paddles. In the photo above, eight combs can be seen in the hive box, and six are attached to the tree branch.

A note on Bumblebees (Bombus spp.). Bumblebees dwarf their honey bee cousins. These bees are not aggressive and will not disturb you unless you are bothering their nest or blocking the entrance to it. Some beekeepers may remove bumblebee nests to protect their declining populations.