Yellow jackets are stinging insects that look most similar to honey bees due to the black and yellow markings on their bodies. You can tell these two species apart in a couple of ways. Yellow jackets have smooth bodies, while bees have hairy bodies. Yellow jackets also have thinner bodies than bees, which tend to have rounder abdomens.
Yellow jackets grow to about half an inch in length. They have transparent wings, a set of antennae, six legs, and a pointed stinger at the end of their bodies.
Although they are not paper wasps, yellow jackets build nests that are similar in appearance to a paper wasp nest. They use cellulose materials that give the nest a paper-like outer shell. The inside of the nest has cells that look like honeycombs. These cells are where the queen lays eggs. A yellow jacket nest can grow to about the size of a volleyball.
Unlike paper wasps, which build their nests in sheltered locations where they can hang down from a central point, yellow jackets typically build their nests in one of two locations. They are often built underground in abandoned rodent burrows or other holes in the ground that they find.
If they build their nest above ground, yellow jackets will look for cavernous areas, such as in holes in trees, in attics, or even in wall voids. Yellow jacket nests are often connected to the object on which they’re built over a wider spread area than just one central connection point. For example, if built along the outside of a house, a yellow jacket nest may come into direct contact with a sizable portion of the wall.
Yellow jackets are like other stinging insects in their eating habits. They enjoy both sweets and proteins. If you have a picnic or eat dinner on your patio, you are likely to see these pests buzzing around in hopes of sharing your meal.
Yellow jackets' main food sources are nectar and small insects. However, if there are other food items around that have sugar or protein in them, they are happy to eat them. They can be found around open soda cans, garbage bags, and even carrion as they look for their next meal.
Of all the stinging insects, yellow jackets are one of the most aggressive species. They have no problem stinging anyone who they feel poses a threat, whether real or imagined. If you come into contact with a yellow jacket and make any sudden or large movements, it’s likely that you’ll get stung. If you come into contact with a yellow jacket nest, you will definitely get stung, probably by many different yellow jackets that all come out to defend their nest.
Yellow jackets are able to sting repeatedly, so even an encounter with one can result in you having to deal with multiple stings. A yellow jacket sting will be painful, but if you are not allergic to stinging insects, you can usually recover without major problems. However, if you are allergic to stinging insects or if you experience a lot of stings all at once, you’ll need to make sure to take the proper precautions to avoid any complications. Contacting a medical professional may be necessary if symptoms extend beyond the site of the stings. Hives, itchiness, tightening in the throat, or trouble swallowing or breathing are all signs of a serious reaction and should not be ignored.
If you’ve discovered yellow jackets or a nest on your property, contact Marathon Pest Control for assistance. Our locally owned and operated pest control company has been taking care of wasps and other pests since 2016; you can count on us to take the sting out of yellow jackets!
Yellow jackets are an aggressive species that you do not want on your property. To keep yellow jackets away from your yard, you need to eliminate the things that attract them to your property. These yellow jacket prevention tips can help:
If you have a lot of yellow jacket activity on your property, contact Marathon Pest Control for stinging insect services that safely and effectively address the issue.
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