Resources
Bee Identification
Not every buzzy visitor is a honeybee. These quick keys help gardeners and beekeepers tell the cast apart at a glance.
| Visitor | Size | Look | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeybee (worker) | ~1/2 in | Slender, amber-and-black bands, slim waist | Visits many flowers; returns to a hive entrance |
| Bumblebee | 3/4–1 in | Large, round, very fuzzy, bold yellow/black | Slow, loud buzz; nests in ground or grass |
| Carpenter bee | ~1 in | Bare, shiny black abdomen; yellow fuzz on thorax | Hovers at eaves; drills round holes in wood |
| Yellowjacket wasp | ~1/2–3/4 in | Smooth, shiny, bright yellow-and-black, pinched waist | Aggressive at picnics; feeds on meat and sweets; nests in paper |
| Sweat bee | 1/4–1/2 in | Small, metallic green or brown | Attracted to sweat; nests in bare soil |
The wasp rule: if it's smooth, shiny, and eating your sandwich, it's a wasp, not a bee. Most "bees are trying to attack me" stories are yellowjackets at the trash can.