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Stinging Insects: Who’s Buzzing Around Your Yard in July?



Summer in Pennsylvania brings sunshine, barbecues, blooming flowers -- and a whole lot of buzzing. If you’ve spent any time outside this July, you’ve probably noticed an increase in stinging insects around your yard, deck, or garden. Whether it’s a bee hovering near your flowers or a wasp circling your picnic table, it’s easy to feel uneasy when you hear those wings buzzing nearby.
 
But not all stinging insects are the same. Some are pollinators, others are aggressive defenders, and a few can be downright dangerous when nests go unnoticed.

In this guide, we’ll help you identify the most common stinging insects in Pennsylvania during July and what you should -- and shouldn’t -- do if you find them near your home.
 

Why July Brings a Surge in Stinging Insects


July is the heart of the season for stinging insect activity. Here’s why this time of year is especially busy:
 
  • Colonies are at Their Peak: Most wasps, hornets, and bees have spent spring building their nests. By mid-summer, those colonies are large, active, and constantly foraging for food.
     
  • Warm Weather Means More Foraging: Stinging insects are more active in heat. They’re searching for nectar, protein, sugary drinks, and even your backyard cookout scraps.
     
  • Humans and Insects Collide: July is prime time for outdoor fun. Unfortunately, that also means more encounters with stinging pests.
     

The Most Common Stinging Insects in Pennsylvania

 
Let’s break down the key players buzzing around Pennsylvania yards right now -- how to identify them, what they’re doing, and how concerned you should be.
 

Honey Bees: Pollinators, Not Pests.

  • Fuzzy, golden-brown bodies with black stripes. About ½ inch long
  • Often seen on flowers or near hives
  • Honey bees are essential pollinators and generally non-aggressive. They only sting when provoked and can sting just once before dying.
  • Hives found in hollow trees, wall voids, or man-made structures

What to Do: If you spot a honey bee hive, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Contact a local beekeeper or pest control professional who offers live removal. These bees are beneficial and protected in many areas.
 

Paper Wasps: Semi-Aggressive with Exposed Nests

  • Slender bodies, brown with yellow markings, longer legs than bees. About ¾ inch long
  • Paper wasps help control pests like caterpillars and flies but will sting if their nest is disturbed.
  • Umbrella-shaped nests with open hexagonal cells
  • Found under eaves, porch ceilings, or deck railings

 

What to Do: If the nest is in a high-traffic area, it should be removed by a professional. DIY sprays can be dangerous and often lead to multiple stings if done incorrectly.
 
Yellowjackets: Highly Aggressive and Common in Late Summer
  • Bright yellow and black striped bodies. Smooth, shiny appearance. About ½ inch long
  • Yellowjackets are notorious for their aggression, especially near food. They can sting repeatedly and will defend their nests vigorously. They're especially problematic around garbage cans, grills, and sugary drinks.
  • They build nests in underground burrows, wall voids, or inside trees
  • Paper-like enclosed nests
     
What to Do: Avoid disturbing yellowjacket nests. Because of their aggression and hidden nests, yellowjacket infestations should always be handled by a licensed, experienced pest control provider.
 
Bald-Faced Hornets: Large, Aggressive, and Protective
  • Black and white markings. Large, up to ¾ inch or more. Thick-bodied with a strong flight pattern

  • These aren’t true hornets but are a type of yellowjacket. They’re extremely territorial and will attack if they feel their nest is threatened. Their stings are painful and can trigger allergic reactions.

  • Large, football-shaped gray nests

  • Found hanging from trees, gutters, or building overhangs

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What to Do: If you spot one of these distinctive nests, stay far away. Do not attempt to knock it down or spray it yourself -- professional treatment is the safest approach.
 

​​​​​​​Carpenter Bees: Solitary Pollinators That Bore Into Wood

  • Large, round, and mostly black with a shiny abdomen. Often mistaken for bumblebees.

  • Carpenter bees are mostly harmless but can damage wood by drilling holes to lay eggs.

  • Females can sting but rarely do.

  • ​​​​​​​Males hover near wood but don’t sting

  • Sawdust or “bee poop” stains below entry holes

What to Do: Plugging the holes and painting exposed wood can help prevent reinfestation. If you see multiple holes or recurring activity, a pest control technician can apply targeted treatments.
 

How to Minimize Risk and Reduce Stinging Insects
 

Whether they’re pollinators or pests, stinging insects can be alarming and even dangerous. Here are a few ways to reduce encounters in your yard:
 
  • Keep Food Covered Outdoors. Sugary drinks, fruit, and meat attract wasps and yellowjackets. Use covered containers and clean up immediately after eating.
     
  • Secure Trash and Recycling. Make sure lids are tightly sealed and bins are rinsed out regularly.
     
  • Inspect for Nests. Check under railings, eaves, and sheds for small starter nests. Early removal is safer and easier.
     
  • Seal Entry Points. Block access to attics, soffits, and wall voids where stinging insects might nest.
     

  • Limit Scented Products Outside. Strong perfumes and lotions can attract bees and wasps. Use unscented products when spending time outdoors.
     

When to Call a Professional ​​​​​​​

If you’re seeing heavy activity, have a nest near your home, or are unsure what species you’re dealing with, it’s time to call in the pros. Misidentifying stinging insects -- or trying to treat them with the wrong products -- can lead to painful stings and more serious infestations.
 

Need help with stinging insects?
 

Lanser Pest Solutions is just a call or text away. We’ll inspect your property, offer honest advice, and take care of the problem so you can enjoy your summer again.
Contact Lanser Pest Solutions Today!