What Every Terre Haute Homeowner Ought To Know About Yellow Jackets

Terra Haute is home to some interesting insects, and yellow jackets are no exception. In the summer and fall, they’re common pests. But how much do you really know about these creatures? Read on to learn more about yellow jackets.

What Are Eastern Yellow Jackets?

There are 16 species of yellow jackets throughout the United States, but Terra Haute residents are most likely to see Eastern yellow jackets. They are easily identified by the black and yellow stripes on their abdomen. Although this species has similar coloration to bees, these insects have smaller waists.

You’re most likely to see yellow jackets outside, but they can wander inside your home. Generally, they are social creatures that live in large colonies. They build paper-like nests in trees, bushes, eaves, ground holes, and other places.

Pros And Cons Of Yellow Jackets

Although most homeowners in Terra Haute fear yellow jackets, there are some benefits to having yellow jackets around. They’re not great pollinators, but they do eat other insects. Thanks to their eating habits, yellow jackets limit the population of other pests.

The issue with yellow jackets is the fact that they sting. When they sting you, they inject venom. That venom causes pain and inflammation. If you’re allergic to the venom, you could experience serious health complications. And yellow jackets can be aggressive. Furthermore, they have the ability to sting multiple times. If you have a yellow jacket nest on your property, you and your family are at risk.

How To Prevent Yellow Jackets

Do you want to keep yellow jackets away from your property? If so, there are a few steps you can take to make your property less appealing.

Limit The Sweet Smells

Although yellow jackets aren’t as good at pollinating as most bees and wasps, they do like sweet smells. They could be attracted to your yard by the sweet smell of flowers, or of soda or juice. If you drink something sweet outside, leave it in a covered container. Avoid wearing perfume outdoors. It’s easy for a yellow jacket to mistake your perfume for a sweet flower.

Keep Your Garden Away From Your House

Yellow jackets love gardens because of the insects that usually hide in them. In fact, yellow jackets can help you keep garden pests to a minimum. To keep yellow jackets from coming too close to your home, keep your garden beds as far as possible from your residence. You can reap the benefits of having these insects nearby without risking a sting.

Knock Down Spider Webs

While yellow jackets eat a variety of insects, they have a particular fondness for spiders. If you have spiders all around your property, you’ll probably have yellow jackets too. Keep spiders away by knocking down their webs and limiting the population of other insects. In addition to decreasing your chance of having other pests, you’ll make your property less appealing to yellow jackets.

Cover Your Trash

Uncovered trash cans are an invitation to backyard pests, including yellow jackets. Rather than leaving your trash cans open for all to smell and eat, you should cover them up. Make sure to use tight-fitting lids or you’ll attract flies and other bugs. In turn, this attracts yellow jackets.

Hire A Professional

The best way to keep your home pest-free is to work with a pest control company. If you do find a nest, attempting to remove it on your own is dangerous. You risk getting stung several times by multiple yellow jackets. Instead of trying to get rid of a nest/on-going infestation on your own, contact Action Pest Control right away for expert stinging insect control.