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Yellow jackets are common summertime pests in Long Island yards. When these stinging insects nest on your property, they turn it into a danger zone for your family and pets. Discover effective strategies to prevent yellow jacket infestations.
How to Identify Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets stand out with their vibrant black and yellow stripes. Their slim 'waist' helps you tell them apart from bees. These social wasps live in colonies containing up to 4,000 workers at their peak in the late summer or early fall. Many species create paper nests in different places. They build their nests in either the ground or in open spaces such as around doors, windows, trees, or bushes.
Are Yellowjackets Dangerous?
Yellowjackets are slow to sting but are territorial. If you approach their nest, they can become aggressive. Yellowjackets can sting multiple times. Their venom can cause severe allergic reactions. Their stings may lead to hypersensitivity and could potentially result in severe complications. If you see a nest above ground or hovering near a hole in the ground, avoid the area until you can have a pest expert inspect your yard.
Four Prevention Tips
You can take some simple steps to reduce the chances of attracting yellowjackets. Here are four prevention tips to keep yellowjackets away from your family and yard:
1. Overgrown vegetation - If grass, shrubs, and bushes are overgrown, this will become an ideal area for them to build their nests. This becomes a real problem when people or pets come near the area. It also presents a stinging problem when someone attempts to do any landscaping in the area. Thus, it's important to keep landscapes in good condition.
2. Building Maintenance - Yellowjackets will nest in open wall voids, loose siding, and loose boards. Maintaining the building's exterior will help prevent yellowjackets from nesting inside.
3. Garbage - During the late summer and early fall, yellowjackets change their diets to sugary and fatty foods. They are opportunistic and will eat anything, like ripe fruit, meat, and sweets. This causes problems, especially with outdoor eating. Keeping the inside of garbage cans clean, as well as the lids completely closed, will help keep them away.
4. Perfumes and Colognes - Yellowjackets are attracted to the scent of perfume and cologne. In warm months, be aware that perfumes can attract yellowjackets outdoors. When you swat at them, they often go into attack mode.
Contact EM Pest Control
EM Pest Control offers yellowjacket nest removal in Nassau and Suffolk County. This service helps keep your family safe from these stinging pests. Contact us today for more information or to request a free quote.
