Summertime is the season of getting outdoors, enjoying the sunny weather, and relaxing in your backyard. However, there are a few things that may send you running for cover this season, and one of those things is the presence of yellow jackets on your property. Yellow jackets become more active in the summertime; these pests can be very aggressive, dangerous, and difficult to eradicate, making them a huge problem for homeowners during the summer.

Yellow jackets are a species of wasp that can be recognized by their alternating black and yellow striped bodies, small size, thin waist, and elongated wings. These stinging pests prefer to eat beetle grubs, flies, and other insect pests, but are also scavengers and will eat meat and fish as well. Yellow jackets are known to be attracted to sugary drinks and snacks which is why they are commonly found around picnic areas and trash cans. These stinging insects have a nasty habit of climbing inside drink cans, hovering around uncovered foods, and flying around people. If the yellow jackets feel threatened, are swatted at, or are even disturbed unintentionally, they can become aggressive and can deliver multiple painful stings with their smooth, lance-like stingers. It is important to be cautious around them because their stings can cause a severe allergic reaction in some people.

One serious problem with yellow jackets is that they tend to nest in areas near the ground such as under decks, at the base of trees, in bushes, on low hanging branches, and in the cracks of sidewalks and pavement. Their proximity to the ground makes them a target of accidental disturbances; when these disturbances occur, the yellow jackets will attack at full force to defend their nests. Each yellow jacket colony can contain thousands of members which makes even a single colony a force to be reckoned with.

If you want a yard to enjoy your yard without having to worry about being stung by yellow jackets this summer, there are a few things you can do to deter them from invading. It is beneficial to trim back trees and bushes, as well as reduce any flowering landscaping or gardens near the outdoor areas around your home where you spend the most time. You should also keep trash away from that area and use tight-fitting lids. And, when you spend time outdoors take precautions by inspecting your yard so that you know where their nests are and stay well away from them. When it comes to foods and drinks, make sure you keep them tightly covered or leave them indoors.

Never try to eliminate yellow jackets or their nests on your own as doing so can be extremely dangerous; instead, you should call on a trusted professional pest control service such as Schendel Pest Services to take care of all your stinging pest problems. At Schendel, we handle yellow jacket infestations by using specialized equipment and our expertise to remove them from your property. Give us a call today at Schendel Pest Services for efficient and effective yellow jacket control or click here to learn about our residential pest control options!