Wasps

Wasps comprise a large group of insects whose members include scavengers, predators, parasitoids, and plant-eaters. Some wasps are also important pollinators.

Like spiders, many wasps are good general predators in home gardens.

Yellowjackets can nest in the ground, inside buildings and homes, and in trees and shrubs. They are more sensitive to nest disturbance and more aggressive in their defense than other wasps.

Yellowjackets are attracted to garbage cans, dumpsters, food preparation counters, and playgrounds, where they search for protein and sweets.

Ripened apple and pear are among the most attractive odors to foraging yellowjacket workers and queens.  Yellowjacket workers also like processed meat baits such as beef, chicken and fish.  In Australia, freeze-dried kangaroo came out on top for German yellowjackets.

Grenadine is another effective bait for yellowjacket control.  Yellowjackets also love cat food, beef, orange soda.

Orange peels (not the fruit) have been found to be repellent to yellowjackets.

To lessen your exposure to yellowjackets:

• Wear white clothing (yellowjackets are attracted to bright colors).
• Avoid wearing perfumes and other sweet-smelling products.
• Going barefoot in the garden risks stings by foraging ground wasps.
• Try to stay calm when initially confronted by a wasp.
• Slow, deliberate movements will lessen your likelihood of being stung.
• Quick motions will scare wasps and make them more likely to sting.
• Slowly and carefully brush off a wasp that has landed on someone.
• Avoid smashing yellowjackets which may prompt others to attack.
• Mowing lawns may agitate yellowjackets nesting underground.
• Avoid drinking sweet drinks in open containers if wasps are in the area.

Commercially available cone-type baited traps can be used on a long-term basis for yellowjacket control (outside the home).

If a yellowjacket nest must be removed, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Seek out a professional pest control operator to assist you.

Paper wasps build nests that consist of a more or less circular horizontal comb of paper cells which are often suspended from a support by a slender stalk.

Paper wasps often can be found nesting under the eaves of homes or under some other suitable structure which gives the nest protection against the elements.

Paper wasps are not as aggressive as yellowjackets, but will actively defend their nests. They will sting only if provoked. If you leave paper wasps alone, they will leave you alone, and will happily take care of some of the caterpillars and other insects that feed on your trees and garden plants.

Like paper wasps, bald-faced hornets will only sting if provoked or threatened.

Hornets often build nests above ground that are exposed to the elements, and their paper nests can be over a foot in diameter. As with yellowjackets, do not try to remove hornet nests on your own. Seek professional assistance.

Whatever method you use, nests should always be removed in the evening when all the wasps are in their nests.