How To Identify Yellow Jackets
Yellow jacket identification can be tricky because these wasps are black and yellow, just like bees, so they're often confused for honeybees to the untrained eye. However, there are several ways to distinguish between bees and yellow jackets.
One of the best ways to tell the difference between a yellow jacket and a bee at a glance is to look for hair. Bees are very fuzzy, especially their abdomen and legs. So if you see a fuzzy, yellow and black flying insect that is covered in fluff from the waist down, it is probably a honey bee. If the black and yellow flying insect is shiny and hairless, it's a good bet that it's a yellow jacket.
Yellow jackets also have tiny, cinched waists, while bees are much thicker around the middle. In fact, yellow jackets' entire bodies – including the wings – are longer and narrower than those of bees.
Why Yellow Jackets Are So Dangerous
Yellow jackets are dangerous because they are so aggressive. They will defend their nest with their life, no questions asked, and unlike bees, they can sting over and over again. What's worse is you don't even have to be intentionally messing with a yellow jacket nest.
It's incredibly easy to happen upon an underground nest accidentally and set off a yellow jacket attack without even realizing it. One of the most common ways to trigger a yellow jacket attack is running over the nest entrance with a lawn mower or hitting it with a weed eater. You could be doing innocent yard work, then suddenly be chased out of your own yard by a swarm of angry yellow jackets.
How To Prevent Yellow Jackets From Nesting On Your Property
Yellow jacket control begins with prevention. It is very dangerous to try to get rid of these aggressive pests yourself, especially if you're allergic to insect venom. Getting stung by even one of these bugs could trigger a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction in certain individuals.
One of the best ways to keep yellow jackets off your property is to fill up holes and otherwise do away with places where they can nest. Yellow jackets don't dig their own holes. They just find holes in the ground or hollow logs that are convenient to set up shop. Filling these holes and getting rid of hollow trees and other places yellow jackets could nest will go a long way to keeping them away. Keeping your outdoor garbage covered can also help because, unlike many wasps, yellow jackets are not picky at all and will eat just about anything – trash included.
The Safest Way To Remove A Yellow Jacket's Nest From Your Property
Bee and wasp control is one of the most dangerous forms of pest control because these stinging insects will aggressively defend their nests. If you have any kind of wasp or bee problem on your property, don't risk stings or even a full-blown attack. Just call the pros here at Prosite. We know how to safely and effectively handle bees and wasps so that you don't have to risk painful stings.