With more than 30,000 species, wasps are a diverse family. Some of the most familiar species in North America are known for their large colonies and bright coloration, which is a warning of their painful stings. Other wasp species are solitary and not equipped to sting, though their size and the difficulty of identifying them makes them seem fearsome.
The reality is while wasps can provide natural form of pest control, species such as bald-faced hornets, cicada killers, and yellow jackets can prove to be a serious issue for Warminster area homes and businesses.
WHAT DO WASPS LOOK LIKE?
Thanks to their size, which may reach three-quarters of an inch long, bald-faced hornets are terrifying. Members of the species are black, but they have white markings at the tip of the abdomen and on the front of the head. When at rest, their wings are folded lengthwise. The upper midsection on these insects may look triangularly shaped when viewed from the side.
Cicada killer wasps are larger, with females being longer than one-and-a-half inches in length. Because of this characteristic, many people fear these relatively docile insects. Cicada killer wasps may be identified by their size or features such as the black abdomen with three yellow bands. The thorax and head may be brown or rust-colored, and the wings are a transparent reddish color.
About the same size as a bee, yellow jacket wasps sport yellow markings on the head and yellow bands around the abdomen. They have large, conspicuous antennae, dark eyes and front wings that fold lengthwise when not flying. They may be differentiated from bees thanks to their slenderer body shape.
WHAT DO WASPS EAT?
Bald-faced hornets feed larvae a combination of nectar and honeydew as well as juices that are collected from over-ripe fruit. Insects like caterpillars and flies are brought back to the nest to feed larvae. In turn, adults are fed a sweet secretion from the mouths of the larvae and eat a regular diet of insects, nectar and fruit juices.
Cicada killer wasps are so named because they are adapted to paralyze cicadas, which are then brought to the nest as food for larvae. Adults eat nectar from flowers, plants and fermented tree sap.
Mainly carnivorous, yellow jackets eat a combination of bees and flies. They further eat fruit, carrion and flower nectar.
Wasp species are uninvited guests at picnics and barbecues. This is because of their attraction to sweet substances and protein. Soda, juice, meat, barbecue sauce, salad dressing and desserts are a few examples of the items that attract these insects.
WHERE DO WASPS LIVE?
Bald-faced hornets build nests that look as if they are constructed from paper. The insects build the nest by gathering bits of wood from weathered structures like fences and decks. The wood is chewed by the workers and added to the nest's structure. Usually, it is suspended from a shrub or tree, but eaves, overhangs, sheds and utility poles also may be used. These nests may measure as much as 24 inches long and 14 inches around.
Solitary cicada killer wasps dig burrows in which they nest. Nest locations include roadsides, embankments and beneath paved surfaces like sidewalks and patios. Lawns also may be suitable nesting areas, especially if they are sparse. Female cicada killer wasps loosen the sand or soil with their front legs, and then remove it from the hole with their hind and middle legs. They create an oval chamber at the end of each ten-inch burrow, into which eggs are laid and cicadas are placed as food.
Social yellow jackets live in large nests built from wood fiber and saliva. Accordingly, the finished nest looks like it is made from paper. These nests may contain dozens of cells that look like a bee's honeycomb. New nests are built each year as old nests usually are plundered by birds looking for a meal.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WASPS
Bald-faced hornets tend not to be destructive, but their aggressive behavior makes the presence of nests in a high-traffic area a distinct danger. Cicada killer wasps, though usually solitary, sometimes aggregate in one area. The result can be significant damage to lawns and gardens as well as destabilization of paved surfaces. Yellow jackets generally are not destructive. However, they may chew through drywall or other wood or paper-containing items when building their nest.
ARE WASPS AGGRESSIVE?
With the exception of the cicada killer wasp, most wasp species are extremely aggressive. Their most overt exhibition of this behavior occurs within about three feet of their nest. Accordingly, when a nest is located on a building or along a walkway, frequent stings are likely to occur.
Male wasps generally are not equipped with stingers. Nonetheless, this does not prevent them from hovering in people's faces and flying in an aggressive, darting manner when people are around. This threatening behavior is frightening, especially because it is virtually impossible for most people to distinguish the difference between male and female wasps in the midst of an encounter.
DO WASPS CARRY DISEASE?
Wasp stings are known to be extremely painful, yet most people experience only a normal local reaction that involves a welt, pain and swelling.
Others may experience a large local reaction that involves a more pronounced response. With swelling, extreme redness, nausea and vomiting, these symptoms are unpleasant but not life-threatening.
Some individuals can go into anaphylaxis after a wasp sting. Essentially, this condition refers to the body going into shock as a reaction to wasp venom. Such responses typically occur very quickly and include severe swelling, hives, wheezing, dizziness, loss of consciousness and other serious signs.
HOW TO DETECT WASPS
Signs of a wasp issue include:
• Several confrontations with aggressive, flying insects • Multiple stinging incidents • A nest discovered hanging from a tree or building • Disturbed soil around patios and in lawns • Being plagued by wasps during outdoor meals
HOW TO PREVENT WASPS
To help protect against a bee problem the following steps should be taken:
• Cover sugary food and drinks during picnics and barbecues • Pick up rotting fruit that falls from trees • Place flower beds well away from structures • Repair holes in window and door screens • Seal all possible entry points in the home's exterior
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.
