Stinging Insects

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From spring through fall, stinging insects are active across Central Alabama. They can be beneficial pollinators but also dangerous when nests are close to homes.

Habits and Behavior

Wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets build paper nests, while bees form hives or burrows. They defend their colonies aggressively if threatened, with some able to sting repeatedly.

Common Stinging Insects in Central Alabama

• Paper Wasps: Umbrella-shaped nests under eaves and porches.
• Yellowjackets: Ground-nesting wasps that swarm aggressively.
• Bald-Faced Hornets: Black-and-white wasps that build large paper nests in trees.
• European Hornets: Large wasps that sometimes nest in hollow trees or attics.
• Carpenter Bees: Bore round holes in wood to lay eggs.
• Honey Bees & Bumblebees: Beneficial pollinators; sting defensively.

Seasonal Trends

Colonies grow throughout summer, with peak activity in late summer and fall. Rarely, mild winters allow nests to survive into the next year, creating “super colonies.”