STINGING INSECTS IN YOUR TENNESSEE YARD NEED A LOCAL EXTERMINATOR?
WASPS
Wasp can be found in various indoor and outdoor environments. In Smithville, TN, and similar regions, they are commonly found in:
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
General Information
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.
Contact us
Arrow Termite & Pest Solutions look forward to servicing your home in Smithville, TN.
Contact our team today for your free inspection.
We are committed to maintaining open communication with our valued customers throughout the entire pest control process. If you have any inquiries, need estimates, or have questions about our services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at your convenience. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve you in the near future.
The most common stinging insects in Middle Tennessee include:
Yellowjackets (ground nests & wall voids)
Paper Wasps (under eaves, porches, railings)
Bald-Faced Hornets (large aerial nests in trees & structures)
European Hornets
Bumble Bees
Honey Bees (we recommend relocation, not extermination)
Yellowjackets and hornets are the most aggressive.
Yes. Yellowjackets are highly aggressive and can sting repeatedly.
They are responsible for most stinging insect medical emergencies because:
They defend the nest violently
Multiple yellowjackets attack at once
Their venom can cause allergic reactions
They often nest in wall voids, attics, decks, sheds, and the ground.
Paper Wasps
Long, slender bodies
Build umbrella-shaped nests
Mildly aggressive compared to yellowjackets
Yellowjackets
Compact, bright yellow/black
Build nests underground or inside walls
Very aggressive and sting repeatedly
Hornets
Larger and more aggressive
Build large ball-shaped nests
Bald-faced hornets are common in TN
Activity increases due to:
Warm temperatures
High insect populations (food source)
Nest expansion
Late summer aggression (queen protection)
Fall aggression is especially high because colonies are at their largest.