Wasps or bees?

Wasps and bees are easily confused from a distance or without close examination. However, there are many different characteristics that can be used to identify them:

Honey bee

• Size
  Queen: 1.6cm-1.8cm. Worker: 1.2cm-1.4cm
• Nest preference 
  Hollow trees, roofs, wall cavities
• Food
  Nectar from flowers
• Habits 
  Gentle natured, dies after stinging, swarms in Spring and Summer

Bumble bee

• Size
  Queen: 2cm-3cm. Worker: 0.8cm-2cm
• Nest Preference
  Cavities in soil, house guttering
• Food
  Nectar from flowers
• Habits
  Gentle natured, reluctant to sting, does not swarm, seen from Spring until late Autumn

Solitary bee

• Size
  Various sizes. Generally smaller than honey bees
• Nest Preference
  Mortar between bricks, sandy soil, soft cement
• Food 
  Nectar from flowers
• Habits
  Gently natured, rarely stings, does not swarm, can appear as early as March

Wasps

• Size
  Queen: About 2cm. Worker: 1.2cm-1.8cm
• Nest Preference
  Lofts/attics, wall cavities, hollow trees/bushes
• Food
  Insects, sugary drinks, food waste
• Habits
  Aggressive natured, stings readily and repeatedly, does not swarm, common in late summer

Hornet

• Size
  Queen: About 3.5. Worker:  2cm – 3cm
• Nest Preference
  Tree trunks, hollow walls, attics
• Food
  Mainly insects
• Habits
  Only stings when provoked, can bite and sting at the same time, does not swarm, seen between May and September