Getting rid of Yellow Jackets is a difficult and dangerous task for the untrained citizen. Nothing strikes fear more than seeing those wasps buzzing around your property, and the fear of a yellow jacket sting is something that we are all familiar with. Here at Official Pest Prevention we offer the best wasp extermination and wasp nest removal service. Before we get into how to get rid of Yellow Jackets we should answer some of the most common questions about these winged terrors.
What Are The Common Types Of Wasp In Sacramento?
There are two common types of wasps in Sacramento, the Yellow Jacket, and the Paper Wasp. They cause the most trouble for our community. They are what are known as social wasps. Much like ants and termites, the social wasps form colonies and work in unison towards common goals. They build nests in the spring and their entire social structure is centered on a queen wasp. For this article, we will be focusing on the Yellow Jacket.
What Is A Yellow Jacket?
The Yellow Jacket wasp is one of the most common types of wasps in the northern hemisphere. There are two genera when it comes to the Yellow Jacket, vespula and dolichovespula. The main species found in Sacramento is the Western Yellow Jacket (vespula pensylvanica). Yellow Jackets are more aggressive than bees, hornets, and other wasps.
What Does A Yellow Jacket Look Like?
Yellow Jackets are the picturesque wasp type, sporting the yellow and black striped segments that we most associate with wasps. Their body length is 10-16mm with a thin waist and body long thin wings. They also have a stinger that is hidden at the end of their abdomen until they are provoked.
Do Yellow Jackets Sting?
Yellow Jackets not only sting but they bite as well. In fact, they initially bite the victim to get a better grip and produce more power in the thrusting of the stinger. They don’t lose their stinger after one attack either. Female Yellow Jacket workers are the only ones with a stinger. Yellow Jackets have the ability to sting multiple times. But it isn’t the prick from the sting that hurts. Yellow Jacket stingers are venomous. Between 2008-2015 478 people were killed by hornets, wasps, and bees, and Yellow Jackets are the most aggressive that are found in Sacramento (killer bees are the most aggressive worldwide).
Where Does A Yellow Jacket Build Nests?
The Western Yellow Jacket will build nests partially underground, in woodpiles or tree barks, and dense vegetation areas. They can also build aerial nests in the eaves of houses, wall voids, attics, electric lamp poles, or secluded tree branches. They build nests that are close to a food source. A Yellow Jacket will never travel more than a few hundred yards from the wasp nest to feed.
How To Find A Yellow Jacket Nest?
Yellow Jackets don’t beat around the bush when it comes to food. They will literally fly in direct straight lines from their nest to a food source. Noticing this pattern is a good method to locate the nest. You can set your own bait but keep a clear distance.
How To Get Rid Of Yellow Jacket Nest?
For your own safety, we would recommend hiring an experienced wasp exterminator. A Yellow Jacket sting can be incredibly painful by itself, but battling an entire swarm of them can be life-threatening, especially to young children. Provoking these aggressive winged terrors by trying to disturb their homes will infuriate them. If you have located the nest by setting your own bait you should mark an area nearby so that the Sacramento wasp exterminators can take care of the rest. Call us today at (877) 711 2847 for a free wasp inspection.
What Do Yellow Jackets Eat?
Yellow Jackets will eat insects, fruits, plant nectar, meats, and sugary foods. This is why they are a common sight near garbage cans and picnics. Have you never wondered why they always seem to target your open soda can? One of the common body parts that get stung by a Yellow Jacket is the tongue or inside of the mouth (ouch). Adult Yellow Jackets do not actually eat solid foods but instead, go after drinks. They will bring food back to their young in the nest to devour though.
Why Are Yellow Jackets So Common In Summer?
The majority of the Yellow Jacket population will die when winter arrives. They strive in hot and arid climates, but the Queen Yellow Jacket will be the only one to survive through the winter. That is why they seem to be common during the summer months when we are more likely outside having picnics.
5 Fun Facts About Yellow Jackets:
- In the movie Ant-Man, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) absolutely owns his arch-nemesis, The Yellow Jacket (Corey Stoll) by shrinking him into oblivion. While we at Official Pest Prevention don’t have that ability, our methods below are just as efficient!
- Yellow Jackets live for less than a year. Only the Yellow Jacket Queen will survive the colder season by staying within the nest.
- Yellow Jackets don’t die after they sting you, as their stinger doesn’t fully remove after one sting. So they have the ability to inflict pain multiple times.
- Yellow Jackets chew wood and digest it to create a sort of paper pulp substance. It is this material that they create their nests with.
- Yellow Jackets do have one positive upside to them. They feed on insects that are deterrents to crops and ornamental plant life. So it is not all doom and gloom when they are concerned!
How To Get Rid Of Yellow Jackets
Official Pest Prevention has plenty of experience in getting rid of Yellow Jackets in your commercial or residential property. Eliminating a Yellow Jacket nest is most easily done in the evening or early morning. Not only are the majority of the Yellow Jackets in the nest at these times, but they have trouble seeing in the dark. This allows better access to the opening and ensures a thorough treatment. We strongly recommend you wear all appropriate safety gear if you are attempting to treat the nest on your own. If the nest is in the ground approach it slowly and apply a slow steady pin stream of liquid control material into the nest opening. Do not use high pressure as this will collapse the entry point and the control material will not reach the nest. If the nest is in a wall void or a tree it is recommended to treat with a control material that is in a dust formulation. Again with your safety gear on the approach the nest slowly (a ladder is often required) and apply a light coating of dust into the entry point. In both cases make the application and leave the area immediately! The Yellow Jackets will be extremely angry and active for several hours after the treatment. If the application was done correctly the Yellow Jackets will be eliminated in about 24 hours.
Wasp Exterminator Services In Sacramento, CA
If you don’t want to take the risk of treating a Yellow Jacket nest by yourself we don’t blame you. Getting rid of Yellow Jackets is a dangerous game and we think it is best to let a professional handle the problem for you.
If you’d like to get help with your pest control issue, check out the rest of our site at Official Pest Prevention. We are a full-service residential and commercial pest control company dedicated to producing peace in your home. Contact us today and start getting rid of termites, Yellow Jackets, bed bugs, mice, and other pests infesting your home.
Official Pest Prevention is equipped to handle any infestations you may have. Whether you live in a commercial area or a residential one, if you say hello to us, you’ll be saying goodbye to those pesky bugs.
If you have any questions at all about our highly-rated services, then please feel free to contact us. We’re always eager to help out.
Official Pest Prevention is a family-owned, licensed pest control company celebrating 20 years serving over 100,000 satisfied customers in five area codes throughout Northern and Central California. Starting with a few contacts, and only four full-time employees, our small company has grown into an organization that today employs over 100 people, maintains a fleet of 75 vehicles, and has serviced over 100,000 Northern California households. This tremendous growth has come from loyal customers, who have recommended our work to their friends, family, and neighbors.
We are a full-service pest control company. Whatever your pest problem, we have a solution. Our goal is to make your property pest-free. Guaranteed. Contact us online or by phone (877) 711 2847 – for immediate assistance. Same-day bookings and flexible payment plans available – because pest invasions wait for no one.
