Yellow jackets are a social wasp. Yellow jackets are typically more noticeable in warm weather when they are round human areas. Wasps (when not in places with human traffic) are very effective and beneficial in keeping down the numbers of other pest species. Yellow jackets become a pest when they nest and scavenge in areas where people are. Peak Pest Management takes an approach to yellow jackets and other pests that is based on the biology, behavior and bite (overall effect and/or physical bite/sting) of a pest to develop a custom pest control plan that is both affordable and effective.
- BIOLOGY Yellow jackets are a wasp. Because they are similar in size and appearance to honey bees, the workers are sometimes mistaken for honey bees. Yellowjackets differ from honey bees on a number of levels. They do not make honey, they do not aid in pollination of plants and they do not have the distinctive brown hairs that a honey bee has. Yellow jackets have alternating yellow and black jagged stripes, they have a narrow waist, wings and a stinger.
- BEHAVIOR Some species of yellow jackets nest up high and others nest in the ground. The ground nesting yellow jackets can be particularly dangerous because they not only nest in rodent burrows in the ground, but they will also nest in voids and holes in homes where people live. This becomes more worrisome as the nest grows because yellow jackets are known to aggressively defend the nest by stinging potential predators– including people. Additionally yellow jackets will expand their home by moistening surrounding materials and digging.
- BITE Not only do yellow jackets sting and bite, but they also have potential to cause disease and damage homes. Because yellow jackets scavenge for food (in garbage cans and other less than sanitary places) a yellow jacket sting is more likely than other types of sting to become infected– in addition to causing infections, some people can experience an allergic reaction to the wasp venom deposited during a yellow jacket sting– even individuals without an allergy can experience medical complications when stung multiple times (as would happen if the wasps were stinging to defend their nest). Nests that are built in human homes not only run a higher risk for stings, but can also cause damage to homes. When a wasps nest outgrows the space available, they will moisten the surrounding material and dig away to create more space. In terms of yellow jacket nests in wall voids, this can cause holes in the walls or ceilings.
Peak Pest Management uses what we know biologically about yellow jackets as well as what we learn by observing them in individual situations and assess the overall risk of the infestation to develop a pest control service plan. Because yellow jackets are aggressive towards people, please let us help you get rid of yellow jackets in and around your home or business.
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PEAK PEST MANAGEMENT, LLC
Service Portland OR and Vancouver WA • Phone 503-998-4322
Peak Pest Management LLC is a local family owned and operated pest control company. Because we are local to Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington we are familiar with the Pacific Northwest and the unique environmental and pest control issues.
Portland Pest News