Bugs can be found everywhere, from underground to your attic. They make nests that vary in size, shape, and location.

Understanding where bugs like wasps, bees, and termites build their homes can help you keep your own safe. Different insects create unique nests. Knowing the signs can prevent unwelcome surprises.

Keep reading to learn more about how to identify various insect nests and what to do if you find one.

Identify Insect Nests

Identifying insect nests can help homeowners avoid stinging insects and property damage.

Different insect species have unique nesting characteristics:

1. Yellowjackets: Build paper nests above or below ground, often seen in late summer.
2. Paper Wasps: Create umbrella-shaped nests from paper material on eaves or decks.
3. Mud Daubers: Construct dirt nests under porch ceilings or sheds.
4. Bees (Bumblebees and Honeybees): Nest in the ground, wooden structures, or open places like decks.
5. Fire Ants and Termites: Build mounds and live in colonies, causing health threats and property damage.

To safely identify these nests:

• Observe from a distance without disturbing the insects.
• Look for signs like holes in the ground for cicada killer wasps or mud tubes for mud daubers.
• Paper nests might indicate social wasps or hornets like the bald-faced hornet.

When uncertain, contact a pest control service. Some pests, like Africanized honey bees or carpenter bees, require professional removal due to their aggressive nature and potential harm to both the environment and human health.

Common Locations of Insect Nests

Insects often pick moist and food-rich spots for their nests. Homeowners might find these nests in eaves, porch ceilings, under decks, and in attics.

Different insects have different preferences:

• Termites build nests in wooden structures, often underground where it’s moist.
• Cathedral termites make large mounds.
• Yellowjackets and paper wasps create paper nests under eaves or inside wall voids.
• Mud daubers build mud nests in sheltered spots like sheds and garages.
• Bees, including bumblebees and honeybees, nest in tree limbs, dirt, or even in human-made objects.
• Africanized honey bees make small colonies in utility poles or overturned flowerpots.
• Bald-faced hornets and cicada killer wasps prefer trees and shrubs.
• Carpenter bees drill into wooden structures.

Factors like nectar availability, protection from predators, and weather affect their nesting choices. These insects can be pests but also help the environment.

Homeowners should be aware of the health risks and property damage these insects can cause. It’s wise to get professional help for safe removal.

Termite Nests

Termites build their nests with tunnels and chambers. They use dirt, saliva, and chewed wood to make strong mounds. These nests are usually underground and are often near wooden structures. This helps them get the moisture they need.

Some termites, like the cathedral termite, build tall mounds. Others, like subterranean termites, create nests that stretch far underground. Homeowners might find nests in moist places such as under sheds, decks, or walls with leaks.

Termite colonies have thousands of workers. They constantly search for cellulose, which can lead to a lot of property damage.

Ant Nests

Ant nests vary based on the species. Most ant nests are built in the ground and sometimes extend into wooden areas. Ants create these nests by moving dirt, which can form mounds over time.

Common nesting spots include:

• Areas around homes, like under patios or in gardens
• Sheltered places such as under eaves or porch ceilings

Ants are social insects. They work together to build and maintain these nests. Worker ants create tunnels and chambers using soil, mud, and debris. In Florida, where there is a lot of moisture, ants often nest near water sources. This is similar to termites and other stinging insects like wasps and bees.

These nests can be a health risk and cause property damage. Homeowners often need to call professional pest control services. Fire ants are aggressive and create visible mounds. They pose a stinging risk. Carpenter bees nest in wood, while mud daubers and paper wasps build nests from mud or paper-like materials in protected areas.

Cicada Killer Wasps

Cicada Killer Wasps are large, stinging insects about 1 ½ inches long. They have black bodies with yellow markings.

These wasps are solitary. Each female creates her own nest. In Florida, they are found in dirt mounds or holes in the ground, especially in sandy soils.

Cicada killer wasps dig holes about seventy inches deep. These holes often have multiple chambers for their eggs. They prefer sunny spots with minimal moisture.

Unlike nests made from mud, cicada killer wasps build their nests underground. Homeowners should be careful around these nests to avoid damage. While these wasps rarely sting, they can still be a health threat if their nests are disturbed.

You might see their nests in lawns, gardens, or areas with loose dirt. The nests are easy to spot because of the mound of dirt at the entrance.

If you need to manage cicada killer wasps or other pests like fire ants, honeybees, and carpenter bees, it’s best to contact a pest control service.

Yellowjackets Nests

Yellowjackets build their nests using paper-like material from chewed wood fibers. These nests can be found above and below the ground.

Aboveground nests might be under eaves, inside wall spaces, or in sheds. Underground nests typically have a small entrance hole. Yellowjackets are social insects, so their colonies can house thousands.

Homeowners can identify these nests by looking for frequent insect activity. Nests can be in places like attics or porch ceilings. Yellowjackets are most active in late summer and early autumn. This is when they gather nectar and food for the colony.

Because yellowjackets are territorial, they pose a health threat and can sting repeatedly. It’s important to identify their nests from a safe distance. Their smooth stingers and aggressive behavior can cause severe discomfort or allergic reactions.

It’s best to contact pest service specialists to handle nest removal. This ensures safety and prevents any property damage or health risks.

Bumblebees

Bumblebees are hairy and about an inch long. They have black bodies with orange bands. Honeybees and carpenter bees look different. Honeybees have oval bodies, and carpenter bees are metallic.

Bumblebees nest both underground and above ground. They like rodent holes, compost heaps, or bird boxes. Their nests are close to the ground. You can find them in sheds and under porch ceilings.

In Florida, bumblebees help pollinate plants. They are not as aggressive as yellowjackets or cicada killer wasps. But they can still sting if their nest is disturbed. This can be a health risk for homeowners.

Finding these nests early can prevent property damage. It also ensures safety around the home. Proper pest control can help manage bumblebee presence. This makes the environment safer around the deck and eaves.

Honeybees

Honeybees have different roles in their colonies to keep everything running smoothly. Workers gather nectar and pollen. They feed the colony and help with pollination, which is important for farming.

These bees live in organized nests in trees or under eaves of sheds and decks. Their pollination helps many plants grow, improving the environment and supporting biodiversity. They are less aggressive than yellowjackets, bald-faced hornets, or wasps, although they can sting for defense.

Honeybees face threats like pesticides, loss of nesting sites, and diseases. In Florida, the humid climate supports many insects like bumblebees, fire ants, and carpenter bees. Homeowners need to be cautious. Nests of Africanized honey bees, cicada killer wasps, and mud daubers can be dangerous and damage property. Professional pest control services can help with these problems.

Honeybees prefer to nest in wooden structures and moist environments. To prevent infestations, homeowners should keep up proper maintenance.

Bald-Faced Hornets

Bald-faced hornets are mostly black with white faces. They are social insects and live in colonies of 100 to 400 members.

These hornets build enclosed, teardrop-shaped paper nests. The nests can be up to 14 inches wide and more than 24 inches long. You can find them in trees, shrubs, overhangs, sheds, and porch ceilings.

Unlike other wasps, bald-faced hornets build their nests at least three feet off the ground. They do not reuse their nests each season.

When their nest is threatened, these hornets become very aggressive. They can sting repeatedly with their smooth stingers. Their venom causes pain, itching, and swelling that lasts about 24 hours.

They pose a serious health threat. Homeowners in Florida or similar areas should be cautious. If you find a nest, contact a professional pest control service to manage it safely.

Wasp Nests

Wasps use a paper-like material to build their nests. They chew wood fibers and mix it with saliva. This makes a papery substance. A specific wasp, the mud dauber, uses mud to build nests.

Wasps build nests in many places. These include under eaves, porch ceilings, sheds, and wooden structures. Some, like yellowjackets, prefer nesting underground. Others, like paper wasps and bald-faced hornets, make nests in the air.

In Florida and other areas, nests can be found in tree limbs, decks, or dirt mounds. To identify a wasp nest, check the material and structure:

1. Paper wasps have open, umbrella-like nests.
2. Bald-faced hornets build enclosed, grey nests.

Always keep a safe distance from the nest to avoid stings. For safety, especially with aggressive species like africanized honey bees, fire ants, or cicada killer wasps, contact a pest control service. They can handle nests and reduce health risks or property damage.

European Paper Wasps

European paper wasps have yellow-black coloring and build paper-like nests. They often create nests in places like eaves, sheds, and porch ceilings.

Unlike yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets, European paper wasps form smaller colonies. They prefer quiet spots around homes. Their nests have open cells made from chewed-up wood fibers. This sets them apart from mud daubers, who use mud to build their nests.

These wasps are active in late summer and can be a health threat to homeowners and pets. Unlike fire ants, which build nests underground, European paper wasps prefer elevated structures. Early detection and preventive measures can help minimize property damage.

In places like Florida, where humidity attracts many insects, regular inspections can prevent infestations. Common nesting sites include decks and wooden structures. If a nest is found, it’s best to call a professional pest control service for safe removal.

Mud Dauber Nests

Mud daubers use mud to make their nests. Yellowjackets and paper wasps, on the other hand, use paper-like materials.

You can find mud dauber nests in sheltered spots. These spots include places like under eaves, porch ceilings, and inside sheds or garages.

Mud daubers are different from social wasps. They are solitary and create tube-like mud structures. Their nests look like rows of mud tubes.

Homeowners in Florida might see these nests in late summer.

It’s easy to tell mud dauber nests apart from other wasp nests. Mud dauber nests look like small dirt mounds. Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped nests. Bald-faced hornets make large, enclosed paper nests.

Bee Nests

Bees use materials like wax and sometimes dirt to build their nests.

Honeybees make their nests from wax produced by worker bees. You can often find these nests in wooden structures or under porch ceilings.

Carpenter bees are different. They create their homes by tunneling through wood.

To tell a bee nest apart from other insect nests, look for the material. Bee nests are usually made of wax. Wasps, like mud daubers, make nests from mud. Paper wasps and bald-faced hornets use paper to build their nests.

Common places for bee nests include:

• Underground burrows for bumblebees
• Eaves of houses
• Open areas like decks or sheds for ground-nesting bees

Bee nests can be a health threat because bees can sting. Other stinging insects like yellowjackets and Africanized honey bees also pose risks.

In Florida, homeowners need to be extra careful. Many bee species thrive in the humid weather. These pests can cause property damage and may need professional removal.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees have a shiny, hairless look. They are mostly black with some yellow markings. They often make nests in softwoods like cedar and pine. Common places for nests include siding, outdoor furniture, fascia boards, and under decks.

Carpenter bees are different from social insects like yellowjackets and wasps. They are solitary insects. They drill holes into wood to lay their eggs. This can cause problems for homeowners by damaging property. The tunnels they make can weaken wooden structures and lead to costly repairs. These tunnels can also attract other pests.

They prefer to nest under eaves, porch ceilings, and sheds. This is why they are commonly seen in Florida’s humid environment. Their activity peaks in late summer when females lay eggs and larvae develop.

While not as aggressive as wasps or Africanized honey bees, carpenter bees can still cause issues. Professional services may be needed to prevent ongoing damage to property.

McDonald Pest Control

McDonald Pest Control deals with many types of insect infestations. They handle ants, termites, wasps, bees, and hornets.

They identify and treat nests of stinging insects by knowing the nests each insect builds. Some examples include:

• Paper nests of paper wasps
• Mud tubes of mud daubers
• Large nests of bald-faced hornets

For termites, they look for mounds and damaged wooden structures. These damages are caused by both subterranean and drywood species.

The control methods depend on the insect. For example, nests of yellowjackets and paper wasps found under eaves or deck floors need careful treatment to avoid stings.

Preventive measures include:

• Removing moisture
• Sealing cracks
• Keeping property clean

These steps help prevent pests from finding nesting spots.

Homeowners are advised against DIY nest removal. These insects pose a health threat. McDonald Pest Control recommends using professional services. This approach helps manage infestations effectively, prevents property damage, and keeps residents safe.

How to Eliminate Insect Nests on Your Property

To get rid of insect nests, homeowners need to:

1. Identify the type of insect, like yellowjackets, hornets, wasps, bumblebees, mud daubers, or honey bees.
2. Wear proper protective clothing and use the right tools for safe removal.
3. Consider hiring professional pest control for aggressive insects.

To stop insects from building new nests:

• Seal cracks in wooden structures, under eaves, on decks, and in sheds.
• Regularly check for new nests, especially in late summer.

To avoid stings:

• Wear protective clothing.
• Avoid loud noises.
• Approach nests carefully.

Nests can be found:

• In porch ceilings.
• Underground.
• In the mud.
• In wooden structures.

For example, termites and some ants nest in the ground. Cicada killer wasps make nests in the dirt. Regular maintenance and quick action help protect the area and reduce health risks from insects.

Dealing with Stinging Insect Nests

Homeowners should stay away from stinging insect nests to avoid getting stung.

Common nest locations include:

• Yellowjackets: in the ground
• Bald-faced hornets: in trees
• Paper wasps: in eaves
• Mud daubers: under porch ceilings

Nests from mud daubers and bees in wooden structures can be dangerous. Fire ants and yellowjackets can create large colonies. When dealing with nests like africanized honey bees or carpenter bees, always prioritize safety.

Removing a nest involves:

• Identifying the species, such as cicada killer wasps or paper wasps
• Understanding the risks they pose

Be very careful, especially with nests located underground or inside sheds. For termite nests, professional help is needed because termites can cause a lot of damage to wood.

Call a pest control service for nests that are immediately dangerous or from aggressive stinging insects like bald-faced hornets or africanized honey bees. Regular checks during late summer, especially in humid places like Florida, can help prevent infestations.

FAQ

Where do bugs like ants live?

Bugs like ants live in underground colonies, hollowed out trees, in walls and floors of buildings, and in decaying wood or moist areas.

Do all insects build nests?

No, not all insects build nests. For example, butterflies lay their eggs on plants instead of constructing nests. Additionally, some insects such as termites and ants live in colonies rather than nesting individually.

What materials do bees use to build their hives?

Bees use wax to build their hives. They produce wax from glands on their abdomen and shape it into the hexagonal cells that make up the hive structure.

How do termites create their nests?

Termites create their nests by chewing and hollowing out wood and other plant materials to construct intricate structures. They use their saliva and excrement to create a mixture called “carton” that forms the walls and galleries of their nests.

Are there insects that live in colonies but do not build nests?

Yes, some insects live in colonies without building nests. For example, ants form colonies but often do not build traditional nests. Fruit flies also live in colonies without constructing nests.