Do Yellow Jackets Kill Honeybees

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In this article, we look at what a yellow jacket wasp is and if yellow jackets kill honeybees. Then we look at how yellow jackets and honeybees interact. Once we understand this interaction it is possible to protect our honeybees from yellow jackets.

What Is a Yellow Jacket? Yellow jackets are semi-social wasps that nest in colonies. They are called yellow jackets because they are generally yellow and black striped insects. Yellow jackets collect nectar just like bees do, but unlike bees, they rely on hunting for their protein.

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Yellow Jackets and Honeybees Yellow jackets and honeybees are enemies. Honeybees are eaten by certain types of yellow jackets. The yellow jacket wasp will catch the honeybee and either bite it to kill it or sting it.

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The Yellow Jacket Life Cycle Most yellow jackets have seasonal nests. In spring, a mated yellow jacket queen or queens emerge from some crevice or other sneaky place where she/they overwintered. A little nest is constructed out of plant fiber (looks like paper) and the first workers are reared.

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Invasive Versus Indigenous Species of Yellow Jackets An invasive species is a species that has been introduced to an area it is not indigenous to. In the USA, the German yellow jacket is an example of an invasive species.

How Yellow Jackets Attack bees Yellow jackets are after two things that bees have. Bees (protein) and honey (carbohydrates). Towards the end of the season, yellow jackets will swarm the entrance of a hive and can overwhelm a weaker hive.

How to Protect Honeybees from Yellow Jackets Prevention is Better than Cure 1. Nest Destruction Yellow jacket nests can be found early in the season. If they are invasive, or species that are not threatened, the nests can be destroyed ...

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Strong beehives have the ability to defend themselves against yellow jackets to a greater degree than weak hives. Keeping hives strong, and using the best genetics for your bees helps to ensure that the yellow jackets will have less impact on your bees.

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