1. How to identify nests of free-living Western honey bees
Free-living Western honey bees generally nest in natural or man-made cavities, such as trees or log hives, walls of buildings, chimneys, caves, etc.
Log hive & photo by <a href="https://hudsonvillebees.com/">Robin Pigot</a>
Photo by <a href="https://www.animal.photos/insect3/bee-hon4.htm">Elizabeth Barrett</a>
Less often, colonies can also nest in the open, for example attached to a tree branch, in a cave, or under a cliff.
Photo by <a href="https://hudsonvillebees.com/">Robin Pigot</a>
Photo by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bee_Hive_Costa_Rica.jpg">Kurt Buzard</a>
Photo by W. S. Robinson
Sometimes only the entrance of a nest is visible. In such cases, one can identify a colony by spotting honey bees flying into and out of the nest. In spring and summer, it’s also possible to see forager bees carrying pollen into the nest, a key sign of a colony's vitality.
Photo by <a href="https://eol.org/media/7894067">Bernie Kohl</a>
Photo by <a href="https://hudsonvillebees.com/">Robin Pigot</a>
Honey bees can often be confused with other similar-looking insects, some of which also build colonies.
Bumblebees can easily be distinguished from honey bees: generally they are larger and fuzzier; typically nest in the ground, not in high places; and fewer individuals (hundreds) are in their colonies than honey bees (tens of thousands).
Photo by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bumble_Bee_(4849358448).jpg">Tony Hisgett</a>
Photo by <a href="http://www.ambeessadors.com">Steve Rogenstein</a>
Wasps and hornets can also be easily confused for honey bees because they sometimes build nests in cavities too. However, their combs are made of paper, not wax. Additionally, their colonies are typically less populated (thousands) than honey bees' (tens of thousands).
Photo by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hornets%27_nest.jpg">Ocrdu</a>
Photo by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Active_Wasp_Nest.jpg">Kathy Jones</a>
As soon as you identify a honey bee nest, keep a safe distance from the entrance. Although honey bees are generally not aggressive, especially if left undisturbed, occasionally they do act unexpectedly. So stay safe!
To help us validate the nests you enter into Honey Bee Watch, please follow these simple guidelines for taking and submitting pictures:
Thanks for your effort and kind help.
The Honey Bee Watch Team