Silver Bullet Pest ControlStraight answers from Silver Bullet Pest Control, a licensed exterminator based in Garfield, NJ, serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Call or text 973-510-2585. Hablamos español.
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Text a photo of what you're seeing and we'll tell you what it is and what to do.
Yellow jackets are wasps, not bees. They're shiny, smooth and bright yellow and black, with a narrow waist; bees are fuzzy and golden-brown. Yellow jackets eat insects and sugary foods, can sting repeatedly and defend their nests aggressively, especially in late summer and fall. Honey bees are calmer and usually sting only once. Silver Bullet Pest Control: 973-510-2585.
| Yellow jacket | Honey bee | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Wasp | Bee |
| Body | Shiny, smooth, narrow waist | Fuzzy, rounder |
| Color | Bright yellow and black | Golden-brown with darker bands |
| Food | Insects, meat, soda, sweets | Nectar and pollen |
| Stings | Repeatedly | Usually once |
| Nest | Paper nest in ground or walls | Wax comb in hives or cavities |
| At picnics? | Yes, very | Rarely |
Both are yellow and black and both sting, so many people call every yellow-and-black insect a bee. But the one landing on your soda can or burger in August is almost always a yellow jacket. Honey bees are busy with flowers and rarely bother people away from the hive.
The three situations behind most of these calls in North Jersey:
A nest where people walk is a real sting risk. Bee and wasp service comes as a one-time service or with a 30, 60 or 90-day warranty depending on the species.
Small nests grow fast through the summer. Treating early keeps doorways and decks usable.
Carpenter bees drill into unpainted wood and come back every year. Treatment plus sealing and painting the wood stops the cycle.
Yellow jackets often nest in the ground and inside walls. Don't plug a wall hole; they can chew into the living space. Bee and wasp service is offered as a one-time service or with a 30, 60 or 90-day warranty depending on the species, with re-treatment inside the warranty window. See ground nests, bee and wasp removal and who to call.
Walk around the eaves, deck and shed every couple of weeks in spring, when nests are small.
Yellow jackets go after sweet drinks and meat at cookouts. Keep lids on.
Open trash and recycling draw yellow jackets in late summer.
Painted or stained wood keeps carpenter bees from drilling in.
Tell us what you're seeing and where. A photo often lets us identify the pest right away. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.
A licensed tech finds the source: where the pest lives, how it gets in and what draws it.
We use the right method for the pest, placed where it works and kept away from kids and pets.
We close entry points and tell you what to change so the problem doesn't come back.
Call or text 973-510-2585 for the fastest answer, or tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you quickly.
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No, they're wasps.
Yellow jackets are shiny and smooth; bees are fuzzy.
Yes.
Colonies are large and food is scarce, so workers scavenge and defend hard.
Yes, they're a type of yellow jacket.
No.
Remove a bee stinger by scraping it out, wash the area and use a cold pack. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat.
Yellow jackets nesting in a wall can chew through drywall into the living space. Don't plug the outside hole.
Nests start small in spring and are largest and most aggressive in late summer and fall.
Old nests aren't reused, but new queens often pick similar sheltered spots.
It depends on the species, the nest location and how hard it is to reach. Call or text 973-510-2585 for a quote.
Yes, including nests under eaves, in soffits and on second-story walls.
We treat the nest directly and tell you how long to keep kids and pets away.
No. It angers the colony and they'll rebuild nearby.
Bee and wasp service comes as a one-time service or with a 30, 60 or 90-day warranty depending on the species. If activity returns within the warranty, we re-treat.
Late summer and early fall, when colonies are largest and food gets scarce.
It's not a good idea. Disturbing a nest is the most common way people get stung badly.
Move away from the nest and get help. Anyone with trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat needs 911.
Yes. Call or text 973-510-2585.
Based in Garfield, we serve these towns and the rest of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B
