Yellow Jacket Wasp Solutions

Appearance:

Adult workers measure 3/8 to 3/4 inch long, depending on the species, with their respective queens about 25% longer. The abdomens are usually banded with yellow and black and some species with white and black. The worker abdominal color pattern is usually distinctive for each species.

Diet:

Nectar, fruits, juices and certain foods; insects and spiders in some cases.

Solutions:

What you can do: To prevent accidental stings, when working in a garden be aware of numerous wasps flying into and away from a single point or to a hole in the side of the house. This will usually indicate where a colony might be located. Be careful when using lawn mowers or other powered lawn equipment, as loud, vibrating noises disturb yellow jackets and may send them into an attacking frenzy. Stay away from nests once you know where they are.

Professional Solutions:

Yellow jackets are considered beneficial insects because their food consists mostly of pest insects and spiders. However, if their nest is located close to occupied buildings, recreational areas, or within structures, then control is warranted. During the day, a careful inspection by a Peoria Pest Eliminators service technician will reveal where the nest entrance is for each colony to be controlled. If it is a ground nest, then the entrance hole will be treated with an appropriately labeled pesticide dust. If the nest is located in a wall void, then the void will be treated via the entrance hole or a temporary injection port. Ideally the wall void nest area should be opened up and cleaned out to prevent future secondary pest problems and decay odor and stains.

People and pets should be kept away from yellowjacket nest entry points. Entry holes should not be closed off until the colony has been destroyed and no further activity is noticed. Only gaps through which yellowjackets gain entry to indoor living spaces should be sealed immediately, as they are discovered. If yellowjackets chew through a wall or ceiling from the nesting cavity and become a health threat to the occupants, that room or area of the residence should be evacuated and isolated pending the arrival of a Peoria Pest Eliminators service technician, who will remedy the situation. Because of the danger in treating these nests, only a professional should attempt to do so.