Enjoying summer picnics and barbecues can be disrupted by uninvited guests—wasps. Species like the bald-faced hornet, cicada killer wasp, and yellow jacket are notorious for causing issues during outdoor activities, drawn by food and drinks.
Wasps are aggressive, and swatting at them often makes them more hostile. Their stings can be painful and even life-threatening. If a nest is near or inside a building, residents are at risk of being stung.
Professional wasp control is the best approach to safely remove infestations and prevent future problems.
Shortcuts:
Bald-faced hornet: Female workers are about ¾ inch long, with black bodies and distinctive white markings on the face and abdomen. They fold their wings lengthwise when at rest and have a triangular profile.
Cicada killer wasp: These wasps can reach 1.5 inches in length. They have black abdomens with three yellow stripes, while the thorax and head may be rust-colored or brown. They are also recognized by their reddish wings.
Yellow jacket: Slightly smaller than other wasp species, they range from ⅜ to ⅝ inch long. Their yellow and black striped bodies resemble bees, but they are thinner, and their wings fold lengthwise when not flying.
Bald-faced hornets: These social wasps build large, paper-like nests suspended from trees, eaves, utility poles, and shrubs. Mature nests can grow up to two feet long.
Yellow jackets: Similar to bald-faced hornets, they create annual paper nests, often found under eaves, in trees, or bushes.
Cicada killer wasps: Unlike social wasps, these solitary insects burrow into exposed soil near sidewalks, driveways, or sparse lawns, where they create underground chambers for their eggs.
Bald-faced hornets: They feed on flower nectar, fruit juices, and insects. Larvae in the colony produce a sweet secretion that adults consume.
Cicada killer wasps: Adults consume nectar and tree sap, while their larvae feed on captured cicadas.
Yellow jackets: Carnivorous by nature, they primarily consume carrion and insects, but they also scavenge fruit and nectar.
Because of their diet, wasps are attracted to human food, particularly sugary drinks, fruit, and protein-rich meals.
Bald-faced hornets and yellow jackets may chew through wood and drywall in search of building material, potentially creating entry points into homes. Cicada killer wasps do not damage structures but can cause extensive lawn damage through burrowing.
Cicada killer wasps are generally non-aggressive unless provoked. However, bald-faced hornets and yellow jackets are highly aggressive, especially near their nests or when disturbed.
Wasps do not transmit diseases, but their stings can cause severe allergic reactions. Female wasps can sting multiple times, and their venom can lead to nausea, swelling, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, multiple stings may require emergency medical attention.
Signs of a wasp problem include:
At Newtown Termite & Pest Control, we use an integrated approach to wasp treatment, combining detection, prevention, and advanced extermination techniques to keep your home or business wasp-free.
Schedule a FREE inspection today.
Newtown Pest Control's Privacy Policy
© Newtown Termite & Pest Control, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Since 1993.
