Huge difference between ground nesting bees and German yellow jackets.
Early in the season is when you usually see the ground nesting bees which as
usually described as "gentle," as they nest in individual cells and don't
have a communal nest to defend.

On the other hand, German yellow jackets, which start showing up in late
summer, are quite aggresive They are probably the only insect in this area
that I am truly afraid of.

For more information to identify which apian insect you're seeing, check out
this Extension bulletin:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distrib...re/DG3732.html

Good luck!
Suzy O, Wisconsin, Zone 5


"Pat Kiewicz" wrote in message
...
paghat said:

In article , "Catty One"
wrote:

Yes, yellow jackets are notoriously aggressive ... best to rid the lawn
of a
nest or avoid at all costs.

Depends on what one calls aggressive. Yellowjackets are not prone to
stinging if their nest is not molested; they will probably never sting
anyone who doesn't accidentally step on one or push up against it or
intentionally harrass it.

You will never convince my daughter of that. A yellowjacket flew into
her, dropped in her lap and stung her during a zoo outing. She did not
harrass it or swat at it.

She has been terrified of wasps ever since. Thank goodness she is a
very intelligent girl and does not extend that fear to bees (or other
insects). And she doesn't mistake bees for wasps.


--
Pat in Plymouth MI ('someplace.net' is comcast)

Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
(attributed to Don Marti)