Yellowjackets are a common predatory social wasp that nests in the ground, in hollow logs and in other convenient spots. These stinging insects are one of the more problematic pests for homeowners in Merrimac because of their tendency to aggressively defend their nests. Yellow jackets don’t take threats to their homes lightly, and they will do whatever it takes to keep potential intruders out. Their defensiveness can result in confrontations that lead to dozens or hundreds of stings. If you want to avoid yellow jacket attacks, you’ll need to take measures to keep them off your property. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do.
What Do Yellow Jackets Look Like?
Yellow jackets are a type of wasp, but they have a black and yellow striped pattern that can cause a lot of people to mistake them for bees. Yellow jackets are also similar in size to honey bees, so you may have to look closely to tell the difference. Bees are fatter and rounder than yellow jackets. Even yellow jackets’ wings are longer and narrower than those of bees. Honey bees are also fuzzy, but yellow jackets are smooth and shiny. Finally, yellow jackets are bright yellow and black, while bees are golden-yellow and black.
What Are The Dangers Of Yellow Jackets?
As we said above, yellow jackets are aggressive in defense of their nests. It doesn’t take a lot to set them off. One of the worst things about yellow jacket nests is that they’re often in the ground. That means it’s a lot easier to accidentally come into contact with them because, unlike aerial hornet or bee nests, yellow jacket nests are not always readily visible. It’s easy to step on one, walk over one, or even run one over with a lawnmower without realizing it until you’ve already triggered an attack.
Yellow jackets can be very dangerous. They can sting as many times as they deem necessary, and they may even chase intruders over short distances. Of course, even one yellow jacket sting can trigger anaphylaxis in people with allergies. However, yellow jackets sting so many times that they can put even non-allergic people in danger of illness or even death. A high enough number of stings (around 1,000 to 1,500) can cause toxic effects in adult humans. While it’s rare to get quite that many stings, it can happen. What’s more, it only takes 300 to 400 stings to put small children and pets in danger and being stung that many times by yellow jackets are not unheard of.
What Can I Do To Keep Yellow Jackets Away?
It’s tough to keep yellow jackets away from your property because they can fly, and that means they can nest pretty much anywhere they want. But there are a few things you can do:
- Fill in holes in the ground. Yellow jackets take advantage of existing holes to build nests.
- Cover outdoor garbage cans to keep yellow jackets from scavenging.
- Don’t leave sweet drinks or pet foods sitting out.
- Plant herbs and shrubs that yellow jackets hate, including spearmint, thyme, and eucalyptus.
- Call the professionals for existing infestations.
Removing yellow jackets from your property can be a dangerous task that can result in painful stings and even serious injury. That means you’ll need expert help. Here at Freedom Pest Control, our trained and licensed professionals can safely remove these aggressive pests from your property, helping you avoid potentially dangerous confrontations. So give us a call at (978) 767-2468 or visit our contact page to schedule your appointment today.