Yellowjackets are a very common summer and fall pest in the United States, and while they are grouped in the general category of stinging insects, yellowjackets have some pretty unique characteristics. Understanding what sets yellowjackets apart is the first step in controlling them on your property and reducing the likelihood of stings. Not surprisingly, yellowjackets get their common name from their typical black and yellow color pattern banded across their abdomens.
Yellowjackets, wasps , and hornets may look alike and have similar characteristics, but they can be very different in their level of aggressiveness and their habits.
It is important to properly identify the type of stinger in your home or garden before attempting any type of control. Yellowjackets are found worldwide, and there are about 16 species that reside in the U. They are social insects that have annual colonies; only the queen lives through winter to start a new colony in the spring.
Depending on the species, the queen will pick either an underground or aerial site to build her nest. They will also forage for sugars such as beer, fruit, sweet beverages, and the honeydew produced by aphids and scale insects. Sugars are particularly important to the new developing queens in late summer. Yellowjackets and other wasp species do not use the same nest again the following year.
New queens start a new nest each spring; although a favorable nest site maybe chosen year after year if adequate space is available. New queens, which are the only members of the colony that survive the winter, do not overwinter in the nest. They leave the nest in the fall and overwinter under tree bark and other protected sites. The workers usually die out by the first of November. The best method of controlling yellowjackets is to locate the nest and treat it with a registered insecticide.
Hornet and Wasp sprays are effective in killing individual wasps and much like shooting skeet, they also provide a certain amount of recreation. These bee-sized social wasps are black with yellow markings on the front of the head and yellow banding around the abdomen.
The face is primarily yellow with dark eyes. Front wings of Vespidae are folded lengthwise when at rest. The large antennae are conspicuous. Due to their size, shape and coloration these wasps are sometimes mistaken for bees. Yellow jackets' closest relatives, the hornets, closely resemble them but have a much bigger head. Yellow Jackets are common visitors to picnics and parks in the summer as they are attracted to meat, fruit and sweet drinks.
Diet: Yellow jackets are carnivorous, primarily feeding on other insects like flies and bees. They also feed on picnic fare, fruits, carrion, and the nectar of flowers. Yellow jackets will forage for about 1 mile from their nest. Note: Honey bees harvest nectar carbohydrates and pollen protein from flowers and are not attracted to meats. Behavior: Yellow jackets are social insects that live in large colonies. The queen, drones and worker all have specific tasks to help support the colony.
They don't see well at night and your chances of being stung are greatly reduced. Yellow Jackets are of the Vespula species and are social wasps. Several thousand workers can be produced in a colony in one season. Here is an excellent video from University of California describing the difference between yellow jackets, wasps and mud daubers.
Walt's Yellow Jacket Kit. Styker 54 Contact Aerosol, Tempo Dust. Pyrethrum Aerosols. Insecticide Dusts. Yellow Jacket Baits. Yellow Jacket Traps. Top Recommendation: Walt's Yellow Jacket Kit Locate nest during day and treat at night Like all wasps, yellow jackets prey on a variety of insects and other arthropods.
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