An army of furious marauders. A legion of savage soldiers. A large number of fierce hunters. These are yellow jackets. Although they may not appear to be a problem at first glance, these tiny insects can become a serious threat if they start to invade your garden or house. You need to learn how to eliminate yellow jackets as soon as they appear.
It is not easy to get rid of yellow jackets without getting stung mercilessly. It is possible, but it is not easy. Here are some tips to help you get your yellow jackets out of your home safely.
Yellow jackets are an endemic species of wasp found in North America. This name refers to a variety of social wasps or hornets that are found around the world. Their yellow and black coloring, their nests made of paper and the aggressiveness they display in protecting them are some of their most distinctive features.
Yellow jacket stingers, unlike other stinging insects like honeybees and bees, aren’t barbed. This means that they can and will sting multiple times. If they sense their nest is in danger, yellow jacket stingers will chase you and swarm around you. This is something that is quite frightening to think about. Sometimes they will sting you, even if your nest is not in danger.
The true danger of yellow jackets or other wasps is almost entirely unrelated to them. An allergic reaction to their venom can cause an allergic reaction, resulting in an immediate shock and a dangerous threat to the victim.
How to get rid of yellow jackets
There are many ways to get rid of yellow jackets. It doesn’t matter what method you choose, the best time to do it is at night. These insects are less active, and they will have the whole nest in one place. You will also be less likely to get stung because they won’t see you. Protect your face with protective clothing that has long sleeves and eye protection.
Yellow jacket nests can be hidden underground. This means that you may have to dig deeper than usual in order to find them. You should exercise caution when looking for nests as even the slightest provocation could cause them to swarm. You can follow the tips below to get rid of its inhabitants once you have found it.
You should not pour gasoline or other harmful chemicals into a yellowjacket nest. They can soak into the ground and kill plants, as well as local wildlife.
Pesticides
Yellow jackets can be controlled with a variety of insecticides and pesticides. Most commercial shops sell a variety of sprays and dusts. Sprays are better for aerial nests, but dust is more effective against underground nests.
The Best Yellow Jacket Pesticides
● Pyrethroid-based sprays. Spray aerosol sprays with a jet nozzle that can be used far away. Spray the nest opening, and then coat the exterior. Spray the exterior every three days until it is dead. Leave it for at least 24 hours.
● Carbaryl-based dusts. Dust the nest with the dust and then pour it inside. Leave it for 24 hours, then repeat the process every three days until you see no activity. To prevent any survivors from rebuilding, cover the entrances with soil and dust.
DIY Tips
You don’t have to be near yellow jackets, and who would blame you? You can also use DIY traps to eliminate them without actually engaging them. These traps can be purchased commercially or made at home. Yellow jacket traps can be baited with meat or sugar water. You’ll get more results from sugar water in the fall and winter, but meat is more effective in spring and summer.
Don’t leave out any beef laced with poison if you want to create a meat trap. You will need to skewer meats such as turkey or ham on a stick. Next, place the stick on a bowl with water and then cover it with vegetable oil. The yellow jackets will eat your meat and drink it. They can’t escape or drown. Be sure that the water does not touch the meat.
For more severe infestations, you can use the same technique on a larger scale. Fill a 5-gallon drum with water and soap. Place one side of a wooden board with a meat paste, such as cat food, and place it on top of the bucket. It is the same process. The water should not be more than one inch below the board.
You can use a sugar trap by cutting a small rectangle from the top of a 2-liter soda bottle. It is best to measure one inch by two inches. It should be filled with one cup water, one cup sugar, or a sugary drink like apple juice, half cup vinegar, and one drop of soap. To make it more attractive, you can add small pieces of meat. Close the cap and allow it to work.
Diatomaceous Earth
Other methods for yellow jacket control don’t use synthetic chemicals. Diatomaceous Earth is one of these. Diatomaceous Earth is a fine, white powder that is made from the fossilized remains of plankton called “diatoms”. It can be fatally poisoned by insects such as yellow jackets if it comes in contact with their exoskeletons.
You can use diatomaceous Earth to fight yellow jackets. Locate ant nest entrances and pour it in. Continue to surround the hole with more powder and wait. The powder will eventually get on their bodies and eventually kill them when they leave. This will only work for ground nests.
Protect the Nest
If the nest is a ground nest, you can cover it with plastic bags or bins. You can also place plastic bins or buckets on the nest’s entrances and let them starve. Yellow jackets are able to chew through cardboard and other weaker materials, but they cannot eat plastic. Make sure the covers are transparent to see if they work. You can use this in combination with other methods.
Signs of yellow jackets
Apart from the obvious yellow jackets flying around, there are other signs that indicate you might have one of these horrible summertime pests in your area. A nest may be heard before you actually see it. You may hear a hum, or if it is in your attic or walls, the sound could be similar to crinkling papers.
You can find typical nesting areas for yellow jackets here. Yellow jackets can nest in animal burrows or stumps. Open-air nests may be gray or made from a papery substance and have yellow jackets that can go in and out.
Where do yellow jackets come from?
A few things can draw yellow jackets to your region. They love sugar so if there are a lot of juice bottles or soda cans in your garbage outside, they may be attracted to it. A garden full of sweet-smelling flowers may also have the same effect.
Yellow jackets will also eat large numbers of small insects. If you have an infestation of other flying or crawling pests in your yard, this could make it a draw. Yellow jackets aren’t likely to nest in your yard or house. These insects will travel more than 1,000 feet to find food.
Yellow jackets might be attracted by outdoor structures such as decks, sheds, wooden steps or other outdoor structures. You can take steps to make sure they don’t live in your outdoor spaces.
How to Prevent Yellow Jackets
There are several ways that yellow jackets can be prevented from entering your home.
● Keep them from food sources and cover any outside trash cans.
● Remove standing water (such as puddles) to deprive them from hydration.
● Do not kill lone yellow jackets. When crushed, they release a pheromone which attracts more.
● Make a fake nest, and hang it around the property. Yellow jackets nest in close proximity to other nests and are territorial. However, this will not work 100%. You can still use other methods to repel wasps and yellow jacket nests.
● Peppermint oil repels wasps. To keep yellow jackets away, you can apply it to your skin or spray it onto areas where they may build nests (eaves, awnings) to stop them.
● Locate any abandoned or unoccupied burrows on your property to prevent the establishment of underground nests. Cover them with soil to prevent yellow jackets from moving in, but only after you’ve made sure they aren’t being used by any other animal.
FAQ about Yellow Jackets
Is it dangerous to get stung by a yellow jacket?
It is possible to be allergic to yellow jacket stings but it can vary from one person to the next. A person can tolerate 10 stings for every pound of their body weight. An adult man can be killed with an average of 1,500 stings.
Yellow jackets can also carry venom. They may be found in dirty areas such as landfills and could carry bacteria or germs that can be inhaled during a sting. You should thoroughly disinfect any stings, and be on the lookout for adverse reactions.
What should I do when yellow jackets start to swarm around me?
Do not panic if you feel yellow jackets are beginning to swarm. Running, or other sudden movements can provoke them and draw them to you. You can move away calmly from them and get into your car, house, or other safe place as soon as you can.
The same principles will apply if they are actively swarming. Your hands should cover your nose, eyes, and mouth. Be calm and do not try to grab them. Do not try to jump into the water. They will be waiting for you and you won’t be able to hold your breath long enough so they don’t get you. Get inside ASAP.
What is the yellow jacket season?
The yellow jackets are most prolific in late summer and early autumn. Their nests are usually at their largest during this time.
This post was written by a professional arborist at Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care. Robert Miller is the owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care, a locally owned and operated tree service company that offers superb lawn care by the most experienced Arborists. Arborwise Tree Services is a tree removal company that offers stump removal, tree pruning, stump grinding, fertilization, and tree restoration. We have an extraordinary lawn care industry notoriety covering the Pinellas county area. Click here for more information!
