When you find a nest near your home, it’s easy to lump every stinging insect into the same category. But honey bees, yellow jackets, and hornets each have a very different life cycle. Honey bees live in highly organized colonies that can survive year-round, with the queen laying eggs continuously. Yellow jackets and hornets, by contrast, are seasonal: their colonies die off in winter, leaving only a fertilized queen to survive and start fresh in the spring.

This difference explains why bee hives can grow quite large and last for years, while yellow jacket and hornet nests typically peak in size late in the summer and disappear by the first frost. Homeowners often notice an uptick in wasp and hornet activity in August and September because the colonies are at their largest and food sources are scarcer.

Knowing these patterns helps you predict what kind of insect you’re dealing with and their life cycle. A nest that’s been present for several seasons is likely a honey bee colony, while a papery nest that appears in the same spot each summer is almost certainly wasps or hornets.

If you encounter an active hive or nest, it’s best not to disturb it. Professionals can identify which species you’re facing and handle the removal or relocation accordingly. What may seem like just a buzzing nuisance actually follows a complex seasonal life cycle.