WASPS: Don't confuse with bees

I am a beginning beekeeper. I have only been keeping bees for about five or six years. I believe the Press article Tuesday may have contained some misinformation that could lead people to confuse honey bees, which are only defensive within three to four feet of their hive and honey supply, with wasps, yellow jackets and hornets that are carnivores and can and do kill for food.

I have been taught that honey bees and almost all other bees are pollinators. I have also been taught in my beekeeping classes that wasps, yellow jackets and hornets are NOT bees. Wasps, yellow jackets and hornets are carnivores. Wasps, yellow jackets and hornets are NOT pollinators.

From my own experience I have seen wasps, yellow jackets and hornets attacking and stinging to death my honey bees! The article implies that wasps, yellow jackets and hornets are pollinators, but to the best of my knowledge that is false.

As I said, I am a beginner and I would appreciate the information provided to your reporter or information from their sources that definitively indicate that wasps, yellow jackets, and Hornets are pollinators.

Thank you for the article, as it provided insight into the “population explosion” we are seeing and a chance for everyone to be educated regarding wasps, yellow jackets and hornets.

FRANK D. GUNSEOR

Coeur d’Alene