Wasps 




WASP CONTROL YARDLEY PA



Area residents tend to spend more time outdoors as the Yardley weather heats up. However, humans are not alone. Insects, including wasps, become more active too. Three common types of wasps in this area include the bald-faced hornet, cicada killer, and yellow jacket.

Wasps can become aggressive when bothered or when protecting their nest. The female wasp can sting multiple times, which could make those with allergies very sick. It is vital to recognize the signs of a wasp infestation and take steps to prevent wasps from ruining time outdoors. If wasps continue to be a problem, it may be time to call a pest control company for help.

WHAT DO WASPS LOOK LIKE?



Bald-faced hornets, cicada killer wasps and yellow jacket wasps are the most commonly encountered wasps in the area.

The bald-faced hornet gets its name from its looks. The white markings on their black face make them easy to distinguish from other wasps. There are white markings on their legs, thorax, and abdomen too. The adult hornet is approximately 12mm to 20mm. The queen bald-faced hornet is larger than the male.

The cicada killer wasp looks threatening but rarely stings humans unless provoked. The adult cicada killer is approximately 30mm. It has a black, long abdomen with yellow markings. Its wings are amber in color.

The yellow jacket also gets its name from its looks. The yellow strips on its black, shiny body and pure black antennas make it easy to identify. They are small in size and measure between 10 to 16mm long. The queen is longer than the males.

WHERE DO WASPS LIVE?



Bald-faced hornets are social wasps that live together in large colonies. Bald-faced hornets are great builders. Their nests start small and grow as the colony grows. Most bald-faced hornets find spots high off the ground, including trees, shrubs, houses, and poles. The nests are built high enough off the ground to deter predators from raiding the nest. Nests are made from wood fiber and look similar to paper mache. By the end of the summer, nests can hold hundreds of wasps. The nests tend to have a football shape and are approximately 24 inches long and 18 inches wide. The bottom of the nest is a hole to allow the wasps to come and go.

Cicada killers do not build nests like other wasps. They are not social wasps and do not live in colonies. Instead, the female will dig a burrow into the ground. The opening is approximately one inch in diameter. The entrance leads to a tunnel that is roughly 12 inches, and the depth is about 10 inches. The cicada killer prefers to dig their homes in full sunlight. They build in well-drained, loose social near trees where cicadas live. Cicada killers are known to dig their tunnels in flower and vegetable gardens and patio edges.

Yellow jackets are social wasps and live in colonies. They prefer to build their nests in burrows abandoned by small rodents. However, they will build nests in rotten tree trunks and walls of houses. The yellow jacket also makes its nest from wood fiber. The nest is small than the nest of the bald-faced hornet. The yellow jacket nest looks like a softball. By the end of summer, thousands of yellow jackets will reside in one nest.

WHAT DO WASPS EAT?



The bald-faced hornet is a hunter and prefers eating live prey, including crickets, grasshoppers, smaller wasps, and insects. They will enjoy a treat of fallen fruit, flower nectar, or tree sap.

The cicada killer wasp's main meal is cicadas and other insects. Female wasps take the cicadas and insects back to the burrow to feed their young. They do enjoy sweets and will feed on nectar and tree sap.

The yellow jacket is not picky when it comes to food. They are meat eaters and will eat insects, spiders, and human food. They also enjoy a sweet dessert and will enjoy nectar and sap. The yellow jackets are the wasps that invade backyard picnics for food and sugary beverages.

DAMAGE CAUSED BY WASPS



The bald-faced hornet can damage the trees or shrubs where they build their nests. They often eat thin bark to turn into nesting material. The hornet can also cause damage to humans and pets. Their sting could lead to skin irritations to severe allergic reactions.

The cicada killer wasps do not usually bother people or pets. However, they can create havoc in the yard. They can displace a lot of soil when digging their tunnels. If the tunnels are too close to patios, pavers could become unstable. The killer wasps could destroy the roots of plants and vegetable gardens.

The yellow jacket does not cause any damage to homes and structures. If they make a nest in a wall or attic, they will cause damage. They need wood fibers for their nest, which could cause damage to trees and shrubs. The yellow jacket sting can be painful and cause an allergic reaction in humans and pets.

ARE WASPS AGGRESSIVE?



The bald-faced hornets are aggressive. They are very protective of their nests. They need no excuse to sting. If a human is close to their nest, they will attack. If a person tries to run away, they will follow. The hornets can sting multiple times with no harm to themselves.

The cicada killers are not aggressive and usually do not sting people. They do not protect their nests like the bald-faced hornet. The male cicada killer will fly around a person who comes too close to their nest. However, they do not have a stinger. On occasion, a female cicada killer will sting a dog or cat. It is because the dog caught a cicada killer and not because the wasp attacked them.

The yellow jacket is territorial, which makes it very aggressive. The wasps attack anyone or anything that gets too close to the nest. Running away will not help. The yellow jackets are fast. They will chase anything they feel is a threat. The yellow jacket can sting more than once. They are considered aggressive during the warm summer months, but they become more aggressive as fall approaches. The harder it is for them to find food, the angrier they get.

DO WASPS CARRY DISEASE?



Wasps are not known to transmit any diseases. However, their sting can hurt and cause severe reactions in some people. It is normal to feel pain at the location of a sting. The site may swell and turn red and start to itch. Fatigue is another common symptom. Most of the time, applying ice relieves the pain and swelling. Signs of a severe reaction include hives, problems breathing, vomiting, and swelling in additional areas.

HOW TO DETECT WASPS



Signs of a wasp presence include:

• Spotting wasps flying around the yard or in the house.
• Finding nests in the trees, bushes, or on the side of the house. The cicada killers displace a lot of soil. Finding a lot of displaced dirt near the patio or garden could be from a queen digging a burrow.
• Buzzing noises outside or in the house.
• Damage to wood or trees. The bald-faced hornet and the yellow jacket need wood to make pulp for their nests.

HOW TO PREVENT WASPS



To help prevent wasp issues the following steps should be taken:

• When eating outside keep food and drinks covered as much as possible. Do not leave food outside.
• Keep windows and doors closed or use screens with no holes.
• Be on the watch for any nest formation. Destroy them before they get too big.
• Keep garbage and recycling containers tightly sealed.

HOW TO TREAT FOR 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.

Schedule a FREE inspection today.

GET THE FACTS



●  WASPS, HORNETS, AND YELLOWJACKETS


Courtesy: National Pest Management Association
Bald-Faced Hornets
Cicada Killers
Yellow Jackets
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