Bee or hornet? Identify first before you act

As Oriental hornet numbers grow, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee is asking the public to identify insects before spraying or destroying them.

The Maltese honey bee is small and dark, with a dark face and short legs. The Oriental hornet is much larger, with a yellowish face, a reddish-brown body with yellow bands, and long legs.

Hornets stress honey bee colonies, so bees sometimes abandon their hives and gather in unexpected places. A cluster of bees is not a hornet nest. If in doubt, keep your distance, take a photo if it is safe, and ask a beekeeper or the Foundation.

The Foundation offers hornet nest removal through a partner pest controller and sells hornet traps. The Maltese honey bee is protected by law (S.L. 549.120).