Stinging Insects

 General Wasps Information

Often confused with bees, wasps are flying, stinging insects that are seen as aggressive predators. They commonly build nests on and around houses which can be a dangerous nuisance, especially if children are near. Protect your loved ones from painful stings and contact us today for expert wasp control services! 

Size:           3/4 -1 1/2 in

Color:         Usually brown and red, sometimes yellow

Characteristics

Wasps are commonly feared by humans because they are somewhat aggressive and have a painful sting. They are capable of emitting a pheromone that sends a stress signals to their nearby colony members which will result in defensive stinging

 Habits & Behavior :

 Wasps can be found in backyards, gardens, woodlands, and meadows. Wasps build and live in paper-like nests made from wood fibers that have been chewed into a pulp. They form colonies inside the nests. 

Yellow jackets are often considered the most dangerous stinging insects in the United States. They tend to be unpredictable and usually will sting if the nest is disturbed. During late summer and fall, yellow jacket colonies are nearing maturity and huge numbers of workers are out foraging for food for the developing queens. 

Size:  1/2 in.

Color:  Black and Yellow Striped

Characteristics

Yellow jackets are social insects living in colonies. Colonies are comprised of sterile female workers, males, and fertile females that mate with males in the fall to become yellow jacket queens. Fertilized queens hibernate through the winter, whereas males and workers die as the weather turns colder.

Habitat & Behavior

Yellow jackets often nest near the ground, taking over old nests and burrows made by rodents. Yellow jackets also may build a nest in the walls of a home or other structure, under porches or steps, as well as in the branches of low-hanging trees or shrubs. While yellow jackets do help pollinate other plants and serve to control other pests like flies, they are scavengers who feed on refuse. They are particularly attracted to garbage.