It’s that time of year again! The time of year where we start seeing busy stinging insects building nests and seeking out their next tasty snack. And all of that activity will send most of us running for cover.
Wasps are actually very important for the pollination of plants and can lower the population of other nuisance insect pests. They can live alone, in groups, or even in nests that have thousands of other wasps. In the North Texas area, paper wasps and yellow jackets are the most common, and they are both social. That means if you see one, you can bet there are many more where that one came from. Paper wasps are the large ones with dangly legs and a cinched waist. They are brown or black with orange or yellow markings, but their wings are grey. Their nests are papery and are shaped like an umbrella. Yellow jackets are probably the most aggressive. They have defined waists, long wings that lay flat, and they are usually yellow and black.
These stinging insects are dangerous, and if they feel threatened in any way they will defend themselves by stinging. Wasps will attack in a group, and they can sting multiple times with their smooth stingers. Their stings are painful and will leave a sore red bump behind. Not only that, but their venom can cause a serious allergic reaction in some people that will require immediate action. Yellow jackets are much the same and are known to be even more aggressive, stinging people simply for inconveniencing them.
So, what is making your home and property so attractive to all of these stinging insects? You offer a good supply of other insects for wasps to eat. Yes, they get rid of other nuisance insects for you, but do you really want aggressive wasps in return? Wasps use wood fiber to build their nests. Many properties offer an endless supply of weathered wood for the queen to scrape up, process, and make her nest very nicely. They choose protected spots to build their nests under eaves, overhangs, porch ceilings, and any other protected corners.
Now that you know what stinging insects like, it’s time to make your home less attractive to them by avoiding:
- Food sources: Keep foods covered, trash sealed, and keep other insects away
- Bright colors: Minimize outside decorations that look like flowers
- Water sources: Remove any standing water
You won’t be able to avoid their perfect nesting spots, as your home probably has many nooks and crannies that wasps will find suitable to build in. If you find a nest of any significant size, it is advised that you do not try to remove it on your own. You should enlist the help of pest control professionals that have the knowledge and the proper tools and gear to tackle aggressive stinging insects. Let Adams Exterminating Company take care of stinging insects for you in North Texas. Contact us today to find out more about our residential pest control programs.