We estimate there are 450 bee species in New York state, comprising 45 of the 425 genera of bees worldwide, making the Empire State a true hotspot for bee diversity. New York City has a surprising diversity of bees, with more than 250 described species recorded, and researchers continue to discover new species even in urban areas like Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The Scale of Diversity:

• With more than 400 different species of bees and wasps in New York, it can be hard to know which to avoid and which are just doing their job
• The majority (54%) of bees in New York State are digger bees (ground-nesting, solitary bees)
• The most common wild bee in NY is the digger bee, which represents more than 54% all of NY's native bees

The Major Players: Species You're Most Likely to Encounter

Ground-Nesting Natives: The dominant bee population in New York consists of solitary, ground-nesting species that create small mounds in soil. Unlike social bees and wasps, solitary species are not aggressive insects, even though females do have a stinger. These bees will not attempt to sting humans unless handled.

The Managed Honey Bee: While not native to North America, honey bees play an important agricultural role. It is legal to keep honeybee hives in the city. Beekeepers must register their hives and follow New York City health codes.

Identifying New York's Common Bee Species

The Gentle Giants: Bumblebees

Physical Characteristics:

• Large, robust bees with fuzzy bodies
• Characterized by their distinctive black and yellow stripes, although some species may have orange or red markings
• Significantly larger than most other bee species

Behavioral Patterns:

• Bumblebees are social insects that live in small colonies
• Bumblebees generally form underground nests in rodent burrows, mulch, or under logs and debris, and consist of about 50 to 400 bees
• Similar to the honeybee, bumblebees don't have any interest in stinging; however, they do live after one sting

The Golden Workers: Honeybees

Identifying Features:

• Honeybees are golden brown with black abdominal stripes. If you look closely enough, you'll be able to see yellow pollen on their legs
• Oval-shaped with varying dark-to-light striations
• Social insects living in large colonies

Colony Characteristics:

• Honeybee colonies consist of 20,000 to 80,000 bees, which are most often found in hollow trees and rock crevices
• While these bees can sting, it would only be in self-defense to protect the hive
• If they do sting, the bee will die, so this isn't a step bees take unless absolutely necessary

The Wood Workers: Carpenter Bees

The Property Damage Specialists

Physical Description:

• The Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) is a beautiful and robust bee about the size of a large bumble bee
• While it has yellow hairs on its first abdominal segment, the rest of its segments are relatively bare, so its abdomen appears shiny instead of fuzzy
• You can also tell the difference between the males and females because the face of the female is all black while the male's has a big yellow spot

Destructive Behavior:

• Carpenter bees will damage exposed boards of solid wood by excavating tunnels along the wood grain
• The Eastern Carpenter Bee is the only kind of bee in our area that excavates its nest in solid wood
• You can tell you've got an infestation by seeing visible pencil-sized holes within the wood or siding of your home

The Tiny Metallic Beauties: Mason Bees

Distinctive Characteristics:

• Mason bees are small, fast-flying bees with metallic colors, including blue, dull green, and black
• While there are over 400 species of bees in New York State, mason bees comprise only about 7 percent of that diversity
• Unlike honeybees, they do not have pollen baskets on their legs, but instead carry pollen in hairs on the underside of their abdomens

Gentle Nature:

• Mason bees aren't known for stinging. The males do not have a stinger at all, and the females only sting if they are trapped or squeezed
• These mild-mannered bees only sting if provoked or cornered, so they are ideal for observing up close

The Sweat Seekers: Sweat Bees

Identification:

• They are generally small to medium-sized and vary in color from metallic green or blue to black or brown
• Sweat bees are solitary bees, meaning they do not live in colonies, and can be found nesting in the ground or pre-existing cavities
• While they are attracted to sweat, they are generally not aggressive and are important pollinators

What Bees Really Want: Understanding Their Dietary Needs

The Essential Menu

Primary Food Sources:

• Nectar: Sweet water from flowering plants that serves as the main carbohydrate source
• Pollen: A protein-rich powder containing lipids, vitamins, and minerals crucial for bee development
• Water: Essential for maintaining normal behavior, brood rearing, and colony composition

Managed Bee Supplementation:

• Honey: A natural byproduct of nectar that contains antibacterial properties
• Sugar Syrup: Emergency food source used by beekeepers when honey reserves are depleted
• Dry Sugar: Winter emergency food for managed colonies

Foraging Patterns and Behavior

Seasonal Activity:

• Given the large amount of concrete and other impervious surfaces in New York City and surrounding suburbs, it's interesting that 65 percent of the area's bee species nest in the soil
• Most activity at nest sites in early spring is of males looking for females to mate with – male bees cannot sting

When Bees Become a Problem: Recognizing the Warning Signs

Visual Detection Methods

Nest Identification:

• Look for ground-nesting colonies that have excavated small areas of dirt or soil near the nest entrance
• Tiny holes approximately 12mm in diameter or larger on a standing structure are indications of the presence of carpenter bees
• The nests are conspicuous above ground because of the conical piles of dirt with a hole in the middle

Behavioral Indicators:

• The distinctive hum of bees that are busy at work and the presence of hives or nests are obvious signs that bees have set up a colony on your property
• Nests are conspicuous because males hover in front of the nests (typically located in fence posts, wooden park benches, and houses) and engage in aggressive territorial battles

Swarming Situations

Understanding Swarms:

• A colony of thousands of bees may form a swarm when it is time to leave their hive and form a new one. The swarm may land on a stationary object
• Though bee swarms are not usually aggressive, they should only be removed by professional beekeepers
• If you see a bee swarm, call 911

The Real Risks: Understanding Bee-Related Dangers

Sting Severity and Medical Concerns

Individual Sting Reactions:

• A bee sting can be painful and will cause swelling plus irritation that could last for days
• Some people may have a severe allergic reaction to bee stings, called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening
• It is unwise, considering one per cent of the population is deathly allergic to bee stings, to allow a colony to live that close to a public place

Defensive Behavior:

• An entire hive is predisposed to fiercely attack when the nest is threatened
• Colony-building bees and wasps, such as yellowjackets, bald-faced hornets, paper wasps, and honey bees, will aggressively protect their nests

Property Damage Concerns

Structural Threats:

• In addition to potentially fatal bee stings, bees often nest in inconvenient locations and can cause significant property damage
• When bees colonize the walls of your home, it can be a cause for concern. Bees can build large hives or nests within the walls, causing significant damage and a big mess
• Yellowjackets and honey bees will build nests inside buildings when they have access. This can cause a big mess from honey and wax or dead larvae that attract and breed beetles and other pests

Smart Prevention: Protecting Your Property from Bee Problems

Structural Modifications

Wood Protection:

• Carpenter bees rarely bore into painted or stained wood. Finishing your porch, deck, shed, or other wooden structure with either a fresh coat of paint or stain will deter carpenter bees
• Although paint and staining can be a good deterrent, Carpenter Bees will, in fact, drill into almost any type of wood without a problem

Landscape Management:

• Keep the yard clear of debris and brush piles
• Use plants with strong and potent smells – marigolds, garlic, lemongrass, thyme, etc.
• Leaving as much wildlife in your backyard in undisturbed areas can encourage any kind of insect to use that further away area instead of right on your home

Moisture Control

Environmental Modifications:

• To discourage the digger bees from nesting in a particular area, simply water the area to keep the ground moist. The digger bee prefers dry areas and will move away
• Address standing water sources that might attract bees seeking water

Natural Deterrents

Safe Prevention Methods:

• Determine and remove what is attracting them – flowering plants, bird baths, hummingbird feeders, standing water, anything that smells sweet
• Avoid using pesticides, herbicides, and neonicotinoids

When Professional Help is Essential

Safety First Approach

Why DIY Isn't Recommended:

• Do not attempt to manage or remove a bee or hornet's nest on your own
• Bee control is a job best left to professionals. Some jobs require the humane removal of nests and the colony's queen, while other jobs require the use of sprays and tools that many homeowners don't have access to
• Property owners must remove nuisance bees or wasps from their property if they pose a threat to human health

Professional Expertise Required:

• Each species of stinging bees and wasps is different and requires a different approach
• Each species of bees and wasps needs to be managed differently; learning to tell the difference will help you keep your property safe
• Standard Pest Management Technicians will arrive at your home or business equipped in a fully protected bee suit so that we can extract the nest without any immediate danger of being stung

Conservation Considerations

Protected Species Awareness: Some bee species may have protected status, making professional identification and removal crucial for legal compliance. In 2024, Governor Hochul signed the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which bans the use of neonicotinoid-treated corn, soybeans, and wheat seeds, ornamental plants, and turf in New York.

Humane Removal:

• While some bees may fall victim to pesticides and various bee control treatments, we believe in preserving the bee colony if at all possible
• Professional beekeepers can often relocate healthy colonies rather than exterminate them

New York-Specific Regulations

Legal Requirements:

• A hive or nest does not need to be removed unless it is a direct threat to people
• Hives that are a threat should be removed by a certified exterminator

Emergency Protocols:

• If you see a bee swarm, call 911
• Professional assessment is required for colonies near public areas

Take Action: Your Next Steps for Bee-Free Living

The Reality Check: In 2022, Cornell cited that more than 60% of NY's bees are at risk of survival, making it more important than ever to balance effective pest control with conservation efforts.

Why Choose Professional Help: When bees threaten your family's safety or property, you need experts who understand New York's diverse bee population and can provide safe, effective, and legally compliant solutions.

Why Choose Suburban Pest Control:

• Expert identification of New York's 450+ bee species
• Safe removal techniques that protect your family and property
• Humane relocation, when possible, to support local ecosystems
• Understanding of New York state regulations and protected species
• Emergency response for dangerous swarm situations

Ready to Reclaim Your Property Safely?

Don't risk dangerous encounters with defensive bee colonies or costly property damage from wood-boring species. Whether you're dealing with a single carpenter bee boring into your deck or a massive swarm that's taken up residence near your home, our experienced team at Suburban Pest Control has the expertise and equipment to handle any bee situation safely and effectively.

Contact Suburban Pest Control today for your FREE inspection and expert assessment. Our licensed professionals will identify the species, evaluate the threat level, and provide you with safe, effective solutions that protect both your property and New York's valuable pollinator populations.

When bees become a problem, trust the professionals who understand both pest control and conservation – call us now for immediate assistance.