When people start noticing that they are being "dive bombed" by black and yellow insects each time they enter or leave their Levittown home or office, it is most likely due to a yellow jacket wasp infestation.
In this scenario, it is usually that the nest is located somewhere close to the building's entrance, perhaps even in a void or opening within the structure. Yellow jacket wasps are nowhere near as benevolent and friendly as most bee species. In fact, they have different characteristics that can make them exceptionally threatening.
For instance, an alarmed female bee is able to sting only one time. By contrast, a yellow jacket wasp is equipped to sting over and over again. The attacking insect simultaneously sends out a pheromone message to other members of the colony, signaling them to attack as well. The result can be a single victim receiving hundreds of stings in a matter of moments, a situation that can be life-threatening.
This propensity for vicious stinging attacks is what makes yellow jacket wasps such a feared species. Similarly, it is this volatile reputation that can make control efforts complicated.
It is virtually always best to leave yellow jacket wasp control to the professionals. With their specialized products and considerable industry know-how, they put a safe and swift end to yellow jacket wasp infestations.
WHAT DO YELLOW JACKET WASPS LOOK LIKE?
Sometimes mistaken for honey bees, the yellow jacket wasp has quite a different, more aggressive temperament. Still, both species do sport black and yellow stripes, which accounts for the frequent confusion.
Yellow jacket workers measure approximately one-half inch in length and have little hair on their bodies. The queen is rarely seen outside of the nest, but if she is spotted, she likely will be three-quarters of an inch long.
WHERE DO YELLOW JACKET WASPS LIVE?
Found on almost any continent and in a variety of climates, the yellow jacket is adapted for survival. Yellow jacket wasp nests, which may house thousands of individuals, frequently are suspended from elevated locations. Likely places to see a nest include utility poles, trees, large shrubs or the eaves of a building.
Some sub-species of yellow jacket wasps prefer to nest at or below ground level. An abandoned animal burrow is a convenient, ready-made option, but some colonies will simply make use of a fallen tree or a large rock beneath which they can create a nest.
The placement of the yellow jacket wasps' nest is critical. In natural or rural areas, these nests are unlikely to be a cause for concern. The yellow jackets will even pollinate many gardens, crops and wildflowers, making them beneficial.
However, it is never wise to allow yellow jacket wasp nests to remain in close proximity to residences and commercial buildings. The risks for people being seriously injured from an attack are too high.
WHAT DO YELLOW JACKET WASPS EAT?
Honey bees, flies, mosquitoes and other insects provide yellow jacket wasps with a steady supply of essential protein. This substance also may be obtained from carrion or from a barbecue or picnic where meat is prepared and served. If any leftover meat scraps are tossed into the garbage, these are bound to attract yellow jacket wasps as well.
Sweet foods become increasingly important to yellow jackets late in the summer. This is when they are more likely to seek out fruit, juices, condiments, desserts and other sugar-containing foods.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY YELLOW JACKET WASPS
Painful stings are just one reason to be wary of these pests. When yellow jacket wasps in Levittown build their nests inside a man-made structure, it is possible for damage to result. The colony's workers chew through wood, drywall, siding and other common construction materials in an effort to enlarge openings so that their nest can be expanded.
It is not unusual for property owners to see yellow jacket wasps congregating around a crack, gap or other opening in a building's exterior. Mistakenly, they believe that sealing up the hole will put an end to the issue. The reality is that the yellow jacket wasps probably have a nest behind that opening. With that opening blocked, they will seek another exit. That exit may lead them straight into the building's interior and the people who occupy it.
ARE YELLOW JACKET WASPS AGGRESSIVE?
There is good reason why so many people are afraid of wasps. This is an especially aggressive species that seems to attack without provocation. Simply being in the vicinity of the yellow jacket wasp nest is enough to bring on an attack.
While only the females are able to sting, the males will still dart around aggressively, causing people's fear to heighten. A provoked female yellow jacket emits a pheromone that encourages her colony mates to attack. This is the type of situation in which people are stung hundreds of times.
DO YELLOW JACKET WASPS CARRY DISEASE?
Yellow jacket wasps do not spread diseases to people, but they can still make some individuals sick. A single sting is extremely painful, but not dangerous to someone who is not allergic to it.
People who are allergic or who are stung multiple times are subject to potentially life-threatening reactions. Difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, swelling and hives are common symptoms in these cases. Anaphylactic shock may follow unless prompt medical attention is sought.
HOW TO DETECT YELLOW JACKET WASPS
Signs of a yellow jacket wasp problem include:
• Unexplained staining on interior or exterior walls • Sounds like rustling can be heard behind walls • People frequently see black and yellow, darting insects flying around the property • Many people are stung in the vicinity
HOW TO PREVENT YELLOW JACKET WASPS
To help prevent yellow jacket wasp issues the following precautions should be taken:
• Put pet food outdoors only at mealtimes • Keep garbage cans clean • Ensure that garbage cans are fitted with tight lids • Use covers on food that is served outdoors • Take care when drinking from soda cans, which may have trapped curious yellow jackets • Make a habit of inspecting building exteriors to find the signs of nest building
HOW WE TREAT FOR YELLOW JACKET WASPS
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use a multi-faceted approach for treating hornets and wasps that have become problematic for area homes and businesses. Our methodology involves making use of the most appropriate detection, prevention, and treatments methods available. By combining these measures, we ensure that your home or business remains free of wasps and hornets.
