It can be challenging to distinguish between hornets and yellow jackets.
Few people are able to distinguish between yellow jackets and hornets, though most consider both of these types of wasps to be a nuisance. There are many differences between the behavioral patterns and appearance of these two types of bees. Being able to distinguish a hornet from a yellow jacket can help prevent potential stings.
Appearance
Hornets, which are about 3/4 of an inch in length, are known to be slightly bigger than yellow jackets. According to North Carolina State University, yellow jackets can be compared to the size of a house fly. The color of hornets and yellow jackets also varies. While hornets are usually black and white in color, yellow jackets can be easily identified by their yellow and black markings.
Nests
While both hornets and yellow jackets build paper-like nests, the color of the nests that they build does vary. Hornets build gray nests, while yellow jackets' nests are a tan color. The location where hornets and yellow jackets build their nests is also different. Hornets generally build their nests in trees and shrubs, but they will also occasionally build them under porches or over roof overhangs. Yellow jackets usually build their nests in underground cavities, in logs or at tree and shrub bases, so they remain concealed.
Stings
According to Colorado State University, yellow jackets are much more likely to be a cause of stings than hornets are. Hornets generally only sting when their nests have been disturbed. If this happens, they are more likely to attack their predators in numbers. While yellow jackets also attack when their nest is threatened, they are likely to sting individually and their stings are very painful. Both yellow jackets and hornets can sting repeatedly.
Level of Nuisance
Yellow jackets and hornets are very different in terms in the level of nuisance that they cause. This is mostly due to their eating habits. Since hornets tend to feed entirely on other insects, they generally do not go looking for food that people may have. According to Colorado State University, yellow jackets eat insects but generally crave sweets. They are often found in areas where there is food and garbage.
Life Span
Both hornets and yellow jackets share the same life span. All of the wasps in the hornet and yellow jacket colonies die when the first winter frost occurs. The only hornet or yellow jacket that survives is the fertilized queen bee. The following spring, the yellow jackets or hornets will build a new nest from scratch rather than making their home in the one from the previous year.
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