Yellow Jackets with Dr. Richard Zack (345)

Late summer brings not just honey harvests but also the return of yellow jackets. For many beekeepers, their sudden appearance can spark concern—or outright dread—around the bee yard. In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Richard Zack, professor of entomology at Washington State University, to unpack the truth about these misunderstood wasps.

Rich shares fascinating insights into yellow jacket biology, their annual colony cycle, and why they turn up at apiaries during nectar dearth. He explains the differences between yellow jackets, wasps, hornets, and honey bees, and why their carnivorous diets can actually make them beneficial predators in many ecosystems. The conversation covers practical tips for beekeepers, including seasonal control strategies, entrance reduction, and why strong honey bee colonies can easily fend off these opportunistic scavengers.

By the end, you may look at yellow jackets a little differently—as part of the natural balance rather than the enemy of your hives.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

• Referenced BTP Episode with Yellow Jacket Collector Zach Techner: https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/s4e13
• Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
• The National Honey Board: https://honey.com

• Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com

 

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Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for que