Yellow jackets are the aggressive wasps which can sting multiple times and can be fatal to kids and pets. Yellow jackets are considered beneficial to gardens and commercially grown fruits and vegetables during a particular time of the year. This is because they pollinate plants and hunt garden pests like caterpillars. If they build their nest near the living area, the problem gets worse, so it’s important to identify their nest and take action. This blog focuses on their habitat, identification, factors that attract them and ways to remove them.
Habitat and Life Cycle of Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets build their nest underground in abandoned burrows of rodents or in any other space, such as tree or wall cavities, wood piles or dense ivy. They build a paper nest where all their adult workers and larvae live. Young queen mates during the fall and remain in areas such as fallen logs, tree cavities, and cracks in buildings during the winter. During the onset of spring, queens start building colonies once they select the nesting sites. When adult workers emerge, they handle the maintenance task to ensure queens remain safe and lay eggs within the safety of the nest. Summer and fall are the times when yellow jackets grow their colony. During rain or freezing weather, nests die, and queens start looking for new protection to remain there during the winter.
Spots Where Yellow Jackets Form Their Nest
Nests are often located in hollow trees, mouse nests, or in the attic area, porches, eaves or sheds of the building. On noticing their nest, don’t disturb it because wasps may feel threatened and attack.
How to Identify Yellow Jackets?
They have shiny yellow and black stripes on their abdomen and clear-ish wings. They are about 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch long. They don’t carry pollen and often fly side-to-side before landing. Their nesting habits depend on their species. Some build nests in gaps in walls or behind the shutters, while other species may build aerial nests in shrubs, trees and houses. They remain active until late fall, and queens stay in a protected area during winter.
How Does a Yellow Jacket Affect Human Health?
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Female wasps have a tendency to sting multiple times, causing problems to individuals who are sensitive to venom.
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They disturb humans during outdoor activities and parties.
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Yellow jackets that build aerial nests don’t cause trouble to humans during their outdoor eating. This is because these yellow jackets are insectivorous.
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If they feel disturbed or threatened, they get aggressive.
Things That Attract Yellow Jackets
They get attracted to sugar and protein like meat, chicken, fish, fruit, sweets and sweet beverages. Therefore, wherever they find these items, they get attracted.
Method to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets
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Try to eliminate nests during the night because many yellow jacket workers are out for work during the daytime.
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Use aerosol wasp spray of any variety, but you should spray at a distance of 10 feet or more to avoid getting too close.
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Spray aerosol directly into the hole and stay away from the hole for a day.
| Notes | If nests are located in a secluded spot of the house, such as the back of the property, you may not need to destroy the nest because yellow jackets will naturally die during the cold weather. |
How Can You Prevent Exposure to Yellow Jackets?
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Never disturb their nest, as they may bite you.
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Wear footwear when going outdoors to minimise the risk of exposure.
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Don’t hit a yellow jacket barehanded because they may bite you.
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Always use lids on sweetened drinks.
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Always keep garbage bins away from the eating areas.
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While having food in the outdoor area, check the food before putting it in your mouth.
Conclusion
Once you identify the yellow jacket nest in the outdoor area of the house, it becomes essential to identify the factors that attract these wasps to your house. Then, you can take necessary steps to get rid of them, considering the safety measures discussed in the blog.
