What Is the Difference Between Wasps and Hornets in Dallas, Texas?

If you live in Dallas, Texas, you’ve likely seen wasps and hornets flying around. Unfortunately, wasps and hornets look similar, making it hard to tell them apart. This article will discuss the differences between wasps and hornets in Dallas, Texas, so you can quickly identify them.

What Are Wasps?

Wasps are flying insects that have narrow waists and long legs. You can see them in summer, coming in many shapes and sizes. Wasps vary in color and can be yellow, black, or metallic blue. The yellow and black stripes can identify wasps on their abdomen. They also have two pairs of wings and long antennae.

Wasps feed on nectar, other insects, and carrion. Despite their intimidating appearance, wasps are generally not aggressive. However, they will sting if they feel threatened. Wasps can sting multiple times, and their stings can be painful.

In Dallas, Texas, you may encounter several types of wasps. These include the bald-faced hornet, the yellow jacket, and the paper wasp. The bald-faced hornet is a large, black wasp with white markings on its face and abdomen.

The yellow jacket is a small yellow and black wasp commonly seen in urban areas. They build their nest in hollow logs, between walls, under eaves, or in trash cans where sugar is common. The paper wasp is slender with long legs and a brown or reddish-brown body.

What Are Hornets?

Hornets are a type of wasp, but they are larger and more aggressive than other wasps. You can identify them by their reddish-brown color and black stripes on their abdomens. Hornets also have two pairs of wings and long antennae.

Like wasps, hornets feed on nectar, other insects, and carrion. However, unlike wasps, hornets are more aggressive and will sting if they feel threatened. Hornets can sting multiple times, and the stings can be very painful.

What Is the Difference Between Wasps and Hornets in Dallas, Texas?

Now that you know what wasps and hornets are, let’s discuss the differences between them in Dallas, Texas.

Wasps and hornets are parts of the same family, Vespidae, and they have some similarities that make it hard to distinguish between them. Wasps and hornets are both winged, they both have two antennae, and they both have a thin waists. The main difference between wasps and hornets is their size. Wasps are generally smaller and slimmer than hornets and have narrower waists. Hornets are larger and more aggressive than wasps.

Another difference between wasps and hornets is their color. Wasps are usually yellow or black, while hornets are reddish-brown with black stripes on their abdomens. Lastly, wasps and hornets feed on different types of food. Wasps feed on nectar, other insects, and carrion. Hornets feed on nectar, other insects, and carrion, but they also feed on small insects like flies, bees, and other insects.

Wasps and hornets also have differences in their habits and nesting. Wasps tend to be more social insects, living in large colonies and often sharing nests with other wasps. Hornets are more solitary and tend to build their own nests.

Wasps will also construct their nests out of a mixture of chewed wood and saliva, while hornets make their nests out of a paper-like material created from chewed wood and saliva. Dealing with Wasps and Hornets If you encounter a wasp or hornet nest on your property, it is best to leave it alone if possible. Wasps and hornets can become aggressive if disturbed, so it is important to be careful when approaching a nest. A professional pest control company can remove the nest if it is in a dangerous location.

How To Identify Wasps and Hornets in Dallas, Texas

Wasps and hornets look very similar, making it hard to tell them apart. However, it is easy to identify wasps and hornets in Dallas, Texas, if you know what to look for. Wasps are smaller than hornets, and they have a narrower waist. They also come in many different colors, including yellow and black. Hornets are larger and more aggressive than wasps and have reddish-brown bodies with black stripes. Wasps and hornets also feed on different types of food. Wasps feed on nectar, other insects, and carrion, while hornets feed on nectar, other insects, and carrion.