Yellow Jacket Identification & Prevention

Aggressive insects that work together to drive away perceived threats, yellow jackets, are a pest that no one wants nesting on their property. A type of wasp, yellow jackets have a segmented body with a distinctive thin waist. Their hairless body is covered in a well-defined yellow and black striped pattern. Another physical feature that helps to identify this pest is its long wings that fold laterally against its body when at rest.

Yellow jackets live together in very large numbers and are dangerous pests when they invade our yards to nest. Yellow jackets are short-tempered and won’t hesitate to attack anything they view as a threat. Something as simple as you or your kids walking past their nest could trigger an attack. Their stings are very painful and leave behind large welts that have the potential to last for days. The venom they inject with their stings is strong enough to trigger allergic reactions and, with a group attack, even anaphylaxis.

Yellow jackets are ground nesters and will take advantage of any property that provides them with suitable nesting spots that are near sources of food and water. Yellow jackets feed on a variety of sweets and proteins and are very attracted to properties with outdoor eating areas, gardens, compost, and trash cans.

High populations of yellow jackets are most common during the summer months. This is also the time of year when stings are most likely to occur. Yellow jackets place their nests in the ground under bushes, in the abandoned nests of small animals, under fallen trees, in tree stumps, and between rocks. They also sometimes place their nests under decks, in the corners or doorways, or under roof eaves.

Acquiring help from a professional home pest control expert is the best way to eliminate yellow jackets and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City, NC, that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations. For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from yellow jackets, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Remove fallen trees and tree stumps from your property.
• Fill any ground holes in your yard.
• Place tight-fitting lids on outdoor trash cans and compost bins.
• Keep outdoor eating areas clean and free of food debris.
• Quickly clean-up after having an outdoor party.
• Place garden areas away from the outside walls of your house.