North Las Vegas residents encounter a variety of stinging insects throughout the year. Knowing what you are dealing with — honey bee, bumblebee, ground-nesting bee, or wasp — affects what you should do about it.
Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) — Including Africanized
Honey bees are the most important species for North Las Vegas homeowners to understand because they are the only species that creates large, permanent hive structures in residential buildings.
Appearance: Amber and dark brown striped abdomen, fuzzy thorax, 5/8–3/4 inch length. Carry pollen baskets on hind legs.
Colony size: 20,000–80,000 individuals in an established colony.
In Clark County: All wild honey bees in Clark County should be assumed to be Africanized or potentially Africanized. The county has been an Africanized bee quarantine zone since the early 2000s. Visually distinguishing Africanized from European honey bees is not possible in the field.
What to do: Professional removal. Do not attempt DIY treatment of established honey bee colonies in North Las Vegas.
Bumblebees (Bombus species)
Appearance: Larger and rounder than honey bees, heavily fuzzy, bold yellow-and-black banding, 3/4–1 inch.
Colony size: 50–500 individuals — much smaller than honey bee colonies.
Behavior: Generally non-aggressive unless directly handled or the nest is disturbed. Native bumblebees are declining species with conservation interest in Nevada.
What to do: Bumblebees rarely establish in wall cavities. Nests in sheltered outdoor locations are annual (they die off in fall). Contact us if the nest location creates a safety hazard.
Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa species)
Appearance: Resemble large bumblebees but with a shiny, hairless black abdomen. Males (cannot sting) hover aggressively near nesting sites; females are docile unless handled.
Behavior: Drill 3/8-inch circular holes in unfinished or weathered wood — eaves, fence rails, wooden gates, patio furniture.
What to do: Carpenter bee damage is structural, not primarily a safety concern. Fill tunnels with wood putty after nesting season. Paint or seal exposed wood to deter future drilling.
Native Ground-Nesting Bees
Nevada has over 1,000 native bee species, many of which are ground-nesters. Ground-nesting bees often alarm homeowners who see concentrated bee activity in a patch of dry soil.
Behavior: Solitary to semi-colonial. Generally non-aggressive. Males cannot sting.
What to do: Native ground-nesting bees are beneficial pollinators with minimal safety risk. Ground cover or mulch over the nesting area can discourage nesting without harming the bees.
Yellowjackets (Vespula species)
Wasps, not bees — but frequently misidentified by homeowners.
Appearance: Smooth, shiny bodies (not fuzzy) with bright yellow-and-black banding. More slender than bees. 1/2–3/4 inch.
Behavior: Aggressive scavengers attracted to food and sugary drinks. Build paper-pulp nests in walls, underground, or in sheltered locations. Can sting multiple times.
What to do: Yellowjacket nests in wall voids require removal — they grow through the season and become more aggressive. Treatment differs from bee removal. Contact us for assessment.
Paper Wasps (Polistes species)
Appearance: Slender, long-legged wasps with narrow waist. Brown with yellow markings, 3/4–1 inch. Build open-celled paper nests attached to eaves and fence rails.
Behavior: Semi-aggressive if nest is threatened. Beneficial predators of garden pests. Nests are annual.
What to do: Paper wasp nests in low-traffic locations can usually be left alone. Nests on door frames or play equipment should be removed.
When to Call a Professional
Call us for any honey bee colony, yellowjacket nests in wall cavities, and any situation involving aggressive behavior or multiple stings. For native bees and paper wasps in low-conflict locations, the situation usually resolves without professional intervention.