There are few things in life that when they happen they haunt individuals for years to come. One of those things is being stung by a wasp. At one point in your life, most likely at a young age, you were either stung by one of these pests or told about how painful being stung is from someone who has experienced it for themselves. Either way, you were left with a lasting fear. Not always a big fear, but a fear nonetheless. We are here to tell you, this is normal. And we are here to offer some options for you to keep wasps away from your yard.
Should Wasps Be Feared?
Every wasp has a stinger. Its likelihood of using that stinger depends on its species. Paper wasps are not very aggressive and will only attack if you directly threaten them or their nest. Mud daubers are even more docile and rarely get bothered enough to sting even if you destroy one of their mud tube nests. Yellowjackets, on the other hand, are much more aggressive and have been recorded flying several feet from their nests in order to scare away “threats” nearby.
The potency of a wasp's sting also depends on its species. A typical wasp sting involves a stinging pain around the affected area, localized swelling, and an itching sensation that lasts a few days. If you are allergic to insect venom, however, symptoms will be more severe and may include hives, swelling of the throat or tongue, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
Where Wasps Build Their Nests
Different species of wasps build different kinds of nests. Mud daubers build cylindrical mud tubes on the sides of buildings. These tubes act like apartments for individual mud daubers, as they prefer to live alone but close to one another. Paper wasps build larger nests that are made out of chewed-up paper and hang from or cling to trees and buildings. These nests are broken into hexagonal supports that house queens, drones, and unhatched larvae. There are some species of wasps in our area such as yellowjackets that sometimes build their nests underground. These are especially concerning as all it takes is one false step to trigger a full-on stinger attack.
Why Wasps Invade Properties
Wasps come onto properties to hunt for other insects and to scavenge for sweet and/or meaty food. If they find a reliable source of sustenance in or around your yard, they might decide to build a nest nearby.
Some Prevention Tips For Wasps
Reducing attractants and sealing up entry points around your home’s exterior is one of the best ways to prevent wasps. Here are some practical ways to do these things around your property.
- Pick up fruit and berries that fall into your yard.
- When hosting outdoor gatherings, make sure food and drinks stay covered as much as possible.
- Clean up thoroughly after eating or drinking outdoors.
- Fill in holes around your property.
- Use a caulking gun to seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your home/outbuilding’s exteriors.
- Repair damage to window/door screens.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
What To Do When You Find A Wasp Nest
When wasp nests are small, they are easy to eliminate. If you find a golf ball-sized or smaller nest around your property, wait till the middle of the day when it is empty and knock it down using a long broom. If you find a nest larger than a golfball, reach out to the professionals at Alta Pest Control. Our team has your best interests in mind and is willing and able to handle any wasp problems you and your yard are up against. Contact us today. We can help!
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