Tips to rid your home of wasps and hornets

Abell Pest Control

One of the most intimidating pests you can come across is the wasp. Unlike the honey bee, which pollinates flowers and can only sting once, the wasp can sting multiple times and is incapable of pollinating flowers. While it's true that certain species of parasitic wasps can exterminate other types of pests, many other kinds of wasps are simply a nuisance.

Yellowjackets
Not only do yellowjacket wasps pose a threat of injury, their nests can cause structural damage to your home. You should attempt to remove wasps at the first sign of invasion, lest they harm your house. According to Texas A&M University, this kind of wasp is easy to identify because of its bright yellow body. You'll know their nests by the paper-like quality of the material they're made from as well as their enclosed construction. Generally, a yellowjacket nest is completely enclosed save for a single, small entrance. Small infestations can be dealt with by using sprays found at your local home and garden store. Larger invasions will likely require the help of a professional pest control service.

Paper wasps
Similar to yellow jackets, paper wasps can be a big nuisance around the home. They even look similar to the yellow jacket, though they tend to be a little darker and more red in color. Their nests also tend to be more open than those of the yellowjacket. According to the University of Michigan, paper wasps eat other insects, such as caterpillars. And while they can cull the populations of other pests, they're still not usually welcome around the home. As such, they should be removed with insecticides.

Cicada killers
Cicada killer wasps are generally not a problem, but in years of high cicada populations, they can become more of an issue for homeowners. Female cicada killers have been known to sting people doing lawn work. This is because the insects often build their nests in the ground and they can damage grass or landscaping.

In general, you should be very careful when dealing with a wasp or hornet infestation. The chance of getting stung will depend on the species of insect, but the pain can be quite intense. If you feel uncomfortable taking on the problem by yourself, it's best to call for a professional to handle the situation.

 



About the author:

Abell Pest Control is a family owned Canadian company dedicated to providing effective, professional and courteous service in pest management.Started in 1924 with one office, Abell now employs several hundred people with branch offices across Canada and the United States.

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