Wasps become active in the early spring throughout the Langhorne region when building their nests. They continue to be active during the summer while the weather is perfect and the food supply is plentiful.
Though wasps due not transmit diseases to humans or pets, their stings can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Wasps are also capable of causing damage to both property and homes. It is necessary to take action against wasp problems before it is too late. Simple things like keeping the yard clean, keeping food covered, and putting screens on doors and windows can help control wasps. A wasp infestation may require assistance from a pest control company.
WHAT DO WASPS LOOK LIKE?
The cicada killer is longer than most wasps. It measures about two inches in length. They have a dark color body with yellow markings on their abdomen. The wings have an amber hue.
Bald-faced hornets are sometimes mistaken for yellow jackets. However, their colorings are different. The body of a bald-faced hornet is black with white markings on its thorax and abdomen. They have a white face with black eyes. Its wings are dark brown or black. The makes are about ⅝ of an inch long. The females are longer than the males and measure about ¾ of an inch.
The yellow jacket is small. It measures approximately ½ inch in length. It has a black body with yellow markings on its abdomen. Its head is mostly yellow with black eyes. The yellow jacket’s wings are translucent with dark brown streaks.
WHERE DO WASPS LIVE?
The cicada killer wasps prefer to nest underground. Their strong legs aid in removing soil to create underground tunnels. The queen will dig tunnels in flower beds, planters, under shrubs, at the edges of sidewalks and driveways, under ground cover, and more. The nest opening is no larger than a quarter, but the tunnel system is complex. The tunnel extends about a foot underground with many chambers. The chambers are for the queen’s eggs.
In the early spring, the queen bald-faced hornet begins constructing her nest. The nest starts about the size of a softball but quickly grows as the colony grows. The nest is built in chambers and will be several feet long when complete. An opening at the bottom allows the wasps easy access into and out of the nest. The nests are constructed at least three feet off the ground. The queen usually selects a protective area for her nest, including trees, shrubs, poles, and the eaves of homes and buildings.
Yellow jackets also make their nests from wood pulp. The nests have a spiral shape. It is wider at the top and narrows until it reaches the bottom. Yellow jackets are not picky when choosing a location to live. They will construct their nests in hollowed trees, under the ground, in places once occupied by other animals, wood piles, and vegetation. The size of the nests varies, but they are roughly 18 inches wide at the top and 12 inches long. One nest may house up to 5,000 wasps.
WHAT DO WASPS EAT?
Wasp diets vary among the different species. Their diets also change slightly through their life stages. Cicada killers feed their larvae cicadas and other insects. The adults; however, do not consume meat. They prefer drinking nectar or tree sap.
The bald-faced hornet young feed on insects brought back to the nest by the adults. The adult bald-faced hornet also prefers nectar and other sweet drinks. The yellow jacket wasps are omnivorous. The young are fed tiny pieces of insects, meats, and fish. The adults enjoy carbs and sugars and will occasionally eat meat. They will eat human food if given the opportunity.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WASPS
Wasps can cause damage to the inside and outside of the home. Wasps that build nests inside the house will chew on wood and other materials to create the pulp they need to build their nests. An empty nest can cause a problem too. The nest will become moist and damage wood or materials nearby. Outside the home, wasps chew on wood materials to get wood fiber for nest building. They like to build nests in eaves, roofs, and under the deck, which could cause damage.
The cicada killer is one wasp that does not use wood pulp to build a nest. Instead, they dig tunnels. They can still cause property damage. The tunnels can cause damage plants and vegetable roots. Pavers, decorative rocks, and bricks can become dislodged from the cicada killer removing the soil around them.
ARE WASPS AGGRESSIVE?
The female cicada killer, in general, is not an aggressive insect. They are only known to sting humans and pets if they get stepped upon, handled aggressively, or stuck in pet fur or clothing. Their sting does not pack much of a punch. It feels similar to a pinprick. Females use their stinger to catch food for their young. The male cicada killer is aggressive toward other male cicada killers trying to take their nest. However, the males do not have a stinger.
The bald-faced hornet, on the other hand, is highly aggressive. The hornet does not need to feel threatened to attack. It will attack humans, pets, or anything else within their area. The wasps are sensitive to noise and vibrations. Unfortunately, outdoor activities, such as lawn mowing and backyard parties, are enough to the wasps and send them into attack mode. The bald-faced hornet can sting its victims multiple times.
Yellow jackets are very aggressive. They have a strong protective instinct. A person or animal who is just in the area of their nest is likely to get stung. Yellow jackets have the ability to bite. They usually bite their victims first and then pierce the skin with their stinger. Yellow jackets do not give up easily and will band together and chase their victims. They are known to go several yards or more to get their victim.
DO WASPS CARRY DISEASE?
Wasps are not known to carry any harmful diseases. However, it is possible for humans to have an allergic reaction to a wasp sting. A serious or life-threaten response to a sting is called anaphylaxis. Signs of a reaction include hives, swelling of the face and lips, feeling dizzy or light-headed, and fainting. A severe reaction requires immediate medical treatment.
HOW TO DETECT WASPS
Signs of a wasp control problem include:
• Wasps are regularly flying around in the house or yard. • Locating small nests in usual locations. Some locations to look for nests include under the patio railing, under the grill cover, and around the edges of the shed. • Hearing buzzing noises around the yard or in the house • Notice small holes in wood products. • Wasps are return visitors. Wasps that successfully build a nest on a property before are likely to try again in a different location.
HOW TO PREVENT WASPS
To help protect against wasp issues the following steps should be taken:
Remove wood piles or as much wood product as possible. Wasps need wood to make pulp to build their nests. •Wasps are attracted to food. Keep all food covered as much as possible, especially if eating outdoors. • Wasps love to dive into trash cans. Make sure the garbage is in a sealed can or bin. • Block all points of entry into the home. Do not leave doors open, and double-check window screens for holes. •Remove any standing water from the yard; it will attract wasps. Wasps will also gravitate to built-up moisture in the home.
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.
