A favorite summertime activity for families is enjoying picnics and barbecues outdoors. However, they sometimes find that they must contend with uninvited guests.
Wasps, such as the bald-faced hornet, the cicada killer wasp and the yellow jacket are notorious for causing disruptions when people are engaging in outdoor activities. The wasps are drawn by the food and drinks that come outdoors with people.
Regardless of the specific species, wasps tend to be aggressive. Unnerved people may swat at the intruders, which only makes the pests seem angrier. The result can be one or more stings, and these attacks can be life-threatening.
Stinging attacks even more frequently occur around the nest where the wasps live. Should this nest be located close to a building, or even inside it, the people who live there are always in danger of being stung.
Wasp control is best handled by a qualified professional who understands the habits and behavior of the particular wasp species. This makes it possible to stamp out the wasp colony and prevent future attacks.
WHAT DO WASPS LOOK LIKE?
The bald-faced hornet has female workers that average about three-quarters of an inch in length. As if this intimidating size were not enough, the female is equipped with a stinger that she uses indiscriminately. Black is the predominant color on the bald-faced hornet, but unusual white markings on the face and the abdomen give this species its name. When at rest, the wings fold lengthwise, and it further is possible to identify this species by their triangular profile.
Female cicada killer wasps frequently measure one-and-a-half inches in length. On the black abdomen, it is possible to observe three yellow stripes while the thorax and head may be rust-colored or brown. Another distinguishing characteristic is the reddish wings.
Slightly smaller than other local wasp species, the yellow jacket reaches about three-eighths to five-eighths of an inch. Their yellow and black striped coloring makes them somewhat easy to confuse with bees. However, yellow jackets are thinner, and when they are not flying their wings fold lengthwise.
WHERE DO WASPS LIVE?
Social bald-faced hornets live with large colonies in a nest that appears to be constructed of paper. Worker bald-faced hornets collect wood fiber, combine it with saliva in their mouths and chew it to produce the material that is used to build the nest. Typically, these nests are suspended from items such as trees, overhangs, utility poles and shrubs. At two feet long and 14 inches around, a mature nest is an intimidating sight.
Yellow jackets also are social wasps that work together to build a nest. Their construction methods are similar to those employed by the bald-faced hornet. Accordingly, these nests seem to be made of paper. Yellow jacket colonies must build a new nest each year, and these frequently are suspended from eaves, trees or bushes.
The cicada killer wasp is a solitary insect that digs burrows in exposed soil. Generally, the burrows are placed close to driveways, sidewalks or the side of the road. A lawn that has sparse areas also appears welcoming to female cicada killer wasps. The female digs into the soil with her front legs and removes the unneeded dirt with her hind legs. Eventually, she creates several burrows, with each being about 10 inches long. At the end of each burrow is a chamber in which she will place an egg.
WHAT DO WASPS EAT?
Bald-faced hornets sometimes procure meals from the colony's larvae, which produce a sweet secretion. These pests also forage for food like insects, flower nectar and fruit juices. Some of these items are collected to feed to the larvae upon returning to the nest.
Adult cicada killer wasps eat a diet of plant nectar and fermented tree sap. One of their most notable characteristics is the way that they hunt and kill cicadas. However, adults do not eat these insects, which are instead taken back to the nest to feed the female's young.
Carnivorous yellow jackets mostly eat carrion and insects. Occasional meals from fruit or flower nectar are not uncommon.
With a dietary emphasis on protein and sugar, many foods that are intended for people appeal to wasps. Dirty garbage cans that contain food scraps are irresistible to them as are picnic tables that are laden with sodas, fruit juice, hamburgers, condiments and salad dressing.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WASPS
Bald-faced hornets and yellow jackets are apt to cause damage to any wooden components or surfaces that show signs of wear or damage. Exposed, unpainted wood is easier for these wasps to chew. Accordingly, these pests are known to chew through siding and drywall in their quest for building material. Such behavior may provide the wasps with a way to get inside the home whenever they like.
While cicada killer wasps are not interested in wood, they are determined diggers that can cause extensive damage in lawns or adjacent to paved surfaces. The damage can become widespread if numerous females gather in a relatively small area.
ARE WASPS AGGRESSIVE?
The cicada killer wasp is the rare wasp species that generally does not exhibit aggressive behavior. If someone tries to handle a cicada killer wasp, then she may sting, but it usually takes quite a bit of harassment to rouse an attack.
The same cannot be said for wasps like the bald-faced hornet and the yellow jacket. These insects are far more likely to display aggressive behavior whenever they are close to people. This behavior becomes more overt in the vicinity of the wasps' nest or when people swat at the insects.
DO WASPS CARRY DISEASE?
While they do not transmit illnesses with a sting, an attack can make a person sick or even put their life in danger.
This is because female wasps are equipped with smooth stingers that can be used multiple times. An alarmed wasp will sting again and again, perhaps even agitating other colony members to join in her attack. Being the victim of multiple stings easily could send a person to the emergency room.
Even a single sting is painful, but multiple stings may cause reactions like nausea, vomiting, swelling, dizziness, hives and difficulty breathing.
HOW TO DETECT WASPS
Signs of a wasp control problem include:
• Being annoyed by darting, buzzing insects when outdoors • Finding wasps indoors • Several stinging attacks • A nest is found close to or inside the house
HOW TO PREVENT WASPS
To help protect against wasp issues the following steps should be taken:
• Remove fallen fruit from orchards • Keep food covered when eating outdoors • Caulk holes and cracks in the home's exterior • Ensure that screens on doors and windows do not need repairs
HOW TO TREAT FOR WASPS
Here at Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use a multi-faceted approach for treating hornets and wasps that have become problematic for area homes and businesses. Our methodology involves making use of the most appropriate detection, prevention, and treatments methods available. By combining these measures, we ensure that your home or business remains free of wasps and hornets.
