Honeybee colonies typically last for many years at a single nest site, becoming semi-dormant during the winter months. Honeybees feed on nectar and pollen and do not scavenge garbage. The honeybee is an extremely important and beneficial insect due to its production of honey and other products, as well as pollination of plants. They frequently are confused with the nuisance species of yellow jackets. Honeybees can be most easily differentiated from yellow jackets by having a covering of hairs.
Honeybees do leave a stinger attached to the skin if they sting.
Honeybees rarely cause problems in Colorado by nesting in homes. In the cases when bees do nest within the siding of a house, removal can be difficult and may require professional assistance. If it is not, the wax and honey may melt and flow into interior areas of the building. It will also attract rodents and wasps. The siding of the house may have to be removed to clean out the remains of a destroyed colony.