Hornets, Wasps, and Yellow Jackets—Oh my!

There’s been a lot of buzz about yard pest control, and it’s not just our Google reviews making all that clamor! Rather, it’s the actual “buzz” from flying insects that invade our properties this time of year like hornets, wasps, yellow jackets and other stinging insects.

Each one of these species are dangerous and deliver painful, aggressive stings that, unlike a bee, can be delivered by the same insect over and over.

When a hornet, wasp or yellow jacket colony is discovered, it should be eliminated. However, due to the danger involved in the treatment and removal of these nests, only a professional pest control service like Central Oregon Pest Solutions should attempt to combat these pests.

Hornets

Hornets are the largest species of the wasp family and will actively and aggressively sting any predator or intruder to their nest. The nests—which the hornets will call home for up to two years—can be up to two feet in length and will contain hundreds of hornets and are often found in attics, chimneys or beside a home or building. The nests are of the “paper” variety, meaning they are made of wood and debris, generally about 10 or more feet from the ground. Hornet bites are painful and a nest should be handled by a professional exterminator in proper protective attire.

Wasps

Wasps live in honeycomb-shaped nests often cradled under soffits, window corners, porches, decks and awnings. They can also be found in attics and under rooftop shingles. Wasp stings generally lead to localized swelling and pain, however, some people are very allergic to wasp stings.

Yellow Jackets

Yellow Jackets are actually a form of wasp, known for their black and yellow coloring, and aggressive attacks that lead to painful stings. They are scavengers so they are often located in fields and wooded areas, but are also found near people. Yellow jackets often build their nests in the ground, in a rodent burrow or hole, but they also commonly locate themselves inside the walls of a building through cracks or holes in the outside walls.

Treatment and Prevention

The best treatment is to treat the stinging insect nest as soon as it is discovered by a professional. A professional pest control company will usually spot treat the nest and remove it.

When working around your property, be sure to keep an eye out for nests, especially around corners, eaves, under the deck, in cracks of the building, chimneys, attics and ground holes. If you see numerous hornets, wasps or yellow jackets flying in or out of a particular location, it’s usually a sign of an infestation or nearby nest. This can be a clue as to where the colony is located.

NEVER plug a hole of a yellow jacket nest; they will find a way out and take residence elsewhere in your home! Wasps can eat their way through the walls and nest inside your home if threatened by a blockage.

Be careful when using powered lawn equipment, such as edgers, trimmers and mowers. Loud, vibrating noises disturb yellow jackets and send them into an attack mode that can lead to painful stinging.

Stinging insect treatments are generally done in the early morning or late at night when the insects are least active. This makes it less dangerous to the professional pest control person.

Because of the nature and danger of stinging insects, it is ALWAYS recommended that they be treated by a professional exterminator or pest control company.

A Word About Bees

Among the different types of stinging insects, we have not mentioned bees. It is important to realize bees are generally considered less aggressive and we try to make sure not harm honey bees, which are vital to our ecosystem.

That being said, many people are severely allergic to bees and may require a bee keeper to move a nest. While this is not a pest control process, it is important that the insect be properly identified so that treatments used to combat hornets, wasps and yellow jackets are not used for elimination of honey bees.

If there’s more “buzz” around your yard than the buzz of summer activities, it may be time to have our team of pest control professionals out to your yard or property for extermination of your stinging insect problem. As a top pest control provider in Central Oregon, we guarantee fast and effective removal of wasps, hornets and yellow jackets so you can get these yard invaders out for good, and enjoy your backyard, patio or outdoor space again.