If you’re unfamiliar with the various types of stinging insects we have here in the Phoenix area, it’s easy to confuse one with another. Even those in the know may use some terms interchangeably, but these are the facts:
A hornet is the largest type of wasp.
Yellow jackets are wasps.
There are types of wasps that are solitary and those that are social. Hornets and yellow jackets are social and live in colonies with a queen. Examples of solitary wasps, which are usually not aggressive, are digging wasps and mud daubers.
As for appearance, the bald-faced hornets that we have here in Arizona are black with white or gray bands and are usually larger than wasps. You can identify yellow jackets by the black and yellow bands they have on their bodies. If you’re unsure about the type of stinging insect you’ve seen at your home, please contact us. Our experienced technicians can identify the pest you have and recommend a customized treatment plan.