Wasps & Hornets

Pest Name: Wasps, Yellowjackets, Bald Faced Hornets

Home Page Picture Tag: Wasps near the home can ruin outdoor activities and make yardwork difficult. While they rarely go out of their way to sting, wasps may become hostile if threatened or disturbed.

Scientific Name: Family Vespidae (many genus and species)

Signs of an Infestation: You will see the actual nest or a high level of steady activity to and from a specific location. For example, sometimes the nest is hidden in a wall void, foliage or under ground. Activity is highest in the months of July – September. However, nests start forming once nighttime temperatures stay above freezing and last until October or so. Once nighttime temperatures return to freezing, nests will die off.

Characteristics and General Information: Yellow Jackets are bee-like, but with a slender, smooth and shiny body. Every spring they establish a new colony. Their nests are built in structural eaves, wall voids, trees, shrubs and with bald faced hornets underground. Late summer and fall they become aggressive. Because of this is why it is so important to call us as soon as you see them or to start preventative services.

It is important to differentiate the predatory wasps from beneficial pollinator bees. Pollinator bees are typically rounder and fuzzier in appearance- bumble bees, mason bees, honey bees, etc. There are also more docile wasps such as paper wasps and mud daubers. These typically do not require treatment.

Control Measures: Treatment will be applied to the nest site directly. The nest must be left in place for at least 24 hours. This is due to the fact that worker wasps who are out foraging at the time of treatment will have the opportunity to make contact with the treatment. For this reason, we do not remove the nest.

Please note: a nest or specific nest site location must be identified by the home owner before treatment may be administered.

Prevention: Treatment to eaves in the springtime and placing yellow jacket traps in early spring will help reduce the likelihood of a nest being built in your eaves. Additionally, we’ve heard of success with decorative paper balls that simulate nests being placed around the house as a deterrent, as wasps are highly territorial.

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