Many types of wasps are active during the summer, but none are quite as territorial as the yellow jacket. The yellow jacket is commonly mistaken for other types of bees and hornets. However, there are several unique traits that this type of wasp has that help to set it apart from the other stinging insects in the area.
At ProCare Pest Services, our Marietta pest control specialists have been dealing with yellow jackets for years. We can help you identify these dangerous bugs and keep them away from your home as well.
How To Identify A Yellow Jacket
Yellow jackets are sometimes mistaken for bees. However, unlike bees, the yellow jacket has a smooth, hairless body separated into three segments. Typically, an adult yellow jacket will measure between ? of an inch and ? of an inch long. They are yellow and black, but usually, their head and thorax look as if they are black with yellow markings, and the abdomen looks as if it is yellow with black stripes.
You will find four long, thin, and translucent wings on the back of a yellow jacket. The wings are slightly longer than their bodies, allowing them to fly long distances. They also have two long, black antennae and six yellow legs.
Why Yellow Jackets Are So Dangerous
Yellow jackets in Marietta are considered to be dangerous pests because they are territorial, can be aggressive, and can sting their victims multiple times. They build large aerial nests around porches, trees, and other elevated areas. The yellow jackets make these nests by chewing cellulose and creating a paper-like material. In addition to aerial nests, yellow jackets also build nests underground by taking over unoccupied rodent holes.
The yellow jacket's underground nest and aerial nests can be difficult to spot, which makes it easy to stumble on accidentally. If you get too close to a yellow jacket's nest, you may have several yellow jackets trying to sting you at one time. And unlike bees, yellow jackets will not lose their stingers when they sting you. Instead, they can and do sting their victims multiple times.
You may not realize this, but yellow jackets are venomous. The venom injected into your body will usually cause severe pain and minor swelling. However, the symptoms can be much more severe for people who are allergic to yellow jacket venom. Many people allergic to a yellow jacket's sting might experience severe swelling, trouble breathing, and other serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
Five Naturally Effective Yellow Jacket Prevention Tips
If you want to keep yellow jackets away from your home, some of the natural and effective steps that you can take include:
- Keep a tight lid on your outdoor trash cans
- Don't leave any food or sweet-smelling drinks outside
- Take steps to eliminate small insects around your home, as yellow jackets are known to eat these insects
- Keep the grass in your yard cut short
- Cover all rodent holes and other holes that you find in your yard
While yellow jackets prefer to live outdoors, they will also nest inside homes. Make sure that there are no gaps or cracks around your house that a yellow jacket will use as a potential entry point.
The Safe And Effective Way To Get Rid Of A Yellow Jacket Infestation
It can be extremely dangerous to try and deal with a yellow jacket problem by yourself. If you see these aggressive wasps on your Marietta property, call us as soon as possible. At ProCare Pest Services, we can keep you and your family safe by eliminating yellow jackets and other stinging insects from your property.