ScientificName: Order Hymenoptera, family Apidae, Bombus spp.
Description: 1-inch, black, hairy, yellow striped bodies with clear, black wings.
Habitat/Food: There are over 50 species throughout North America.
Life Cycle: Only the fertilized female survives winter and starts a new colony in the spring.
Organic Control: Plant oil based products can be used as effective control. There are also some organic aerosol sprays available.
Interesting Fact: Once a nest site is found, the queen collects pollen and lays her first brood of worker eggs. The size of the workers increases with each new brood until males are produced for the first time during midsummer.