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Yellowjackets, like other wasps, start building their nests during the summer. This is why yellow jackets are more common during the summer and early days of the falls.
March 8, 2022
8 min read time
This information is reviewed by an independent pest control expert.
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Yellowjacket looks just like the other wasps but with a little difference. It has thin waists when compared to bees and tucks its wings in a longitudinal direction when resting. You will often find them forming a paper-like nest.
Speaking of nests, yellow jacket loves to protect their colonies and usually go about their activities peacefully.
However, together with hornets, yellow jackets are among the most aggressive species of ground wasps. So, it may sting you a couple of times if you disturb its colonies.
This is why it is always best to look out for yellow jacket nests before carrying out any work on the yard. Usually, a yellow jacket sting doesn’t last, but painful all the same. Occasionally, the sting may trigger allergic reactions that require medical treatment.
A yellow jackets infestation usually starts with one of the pests near your door or around your yard.
But, each day brings more yellow jackets to your home. Thus, as much as you may want to ignore yellow jackets the first time you see them, it’s best to get rid of this pest immediately before they develop into a full-blown invasion.
However, you’re reading this, so it’s safe to assume that the yellow jacket population is getting out of hand.
No worries. We got your back.
This article will tell you how to confirm if you’re truly battling a yellow jacket and how to get rid of them.
Table of Contents
Yellowjackets are difficult to distinguish from bees and related insects. Unlike bees, they have yellow and black stripes in alternating versions, which run along with their smooth bodies.
But, like other ground wasps species, yellow Jackets live in nests. They have a special ability to gather in colonies within a short time. This is because they leave traces of pheromone where they go, which invites other yellow jackets.
A sting from a yellow jacket is more painful than a bee, and they could sting multiple times without dying.
Yellowjackets, like other wasps, start building their nests during the summer. This is why yellow jackets are more common during the summer and early days of the falls.
The presence of a yellow jacket nest in your home calls for immediate attention. Yellow jackets are unpleasant to deal with because of their stings. So it would be best if you were cautious when trying to get rid of them.
That said, here are natural and safe methods you can use to get rid of yellow jackets:
If you’re against controlling pests with chemicals, then you’ll be pleased to know that several natural pest deterrents work well against yellow jackets and other pests.
An active example is peppermint oil. This essential oil has a reputation for keeping yellow jackets away because they don’t like the smell. So planting mint around your home can help control their population.
Another natural treatment for hornet and the yellow jacket is eucalyptus. You can dabble eucalyptus around the places you notice the yellow jacket. A blend of clove, Geranium, and lemongrass oils can also repel yellow jackets.
Another plausible method to rid your environment of yellow jackets is trapping them. Prepare a sugar solution by mixing an equal volume of water and sugar in a bottle. Next, pop the sugar solution around the yard.
This method works because yellow jackets and other wasps love sugar and sweet treats. They would go to any length to have a bite of sugar, even if that is inside a bottle.
Once they climb into the bottle, you can easily trap them in by covering the bottle. You may then dispose of the bottle. Ensure that you throw it as far away from your property as possible.
Alternatively, you can try a homemade trapping system that plays on their predatory nature. Start by cutting a soda bottle in two. Then turn the top half inside the bottom to make a funnel after removing the lid.
Next, add a slice of burger meat in the soda bottle with a sweet liquid such as sugar water. The sugar solution attracts them to the meat. You may add a few drops of vinegar to the mix to keep bees away from the trap.
Early detection of yellow jacket nests can help you protect your home better from wasps. So, ensure you trace the pest to its source when you see them around or near your home.
If you discover a nest, it is best to call for professional help.
Once you spot their colony, the next thing is to destroy it right away. Any of the methods we mentioned earlier will do the job. Otherwise, you may pour soapy water over the insects or spray a pesticide over them.
Remember, yellow jackets are very aggressive, so ensure you wear an item of protective clothing and glove to avoid being stung by the wasp. There are times when jackets hide in a hole, so you may need to dig the nest out of the hole to destroy the colony.
You may use a professional’s help if you can’t handle it on your own.
Open trash cans make for a good hiding place for many insect pests. So, ensure you always cover any trash can in your home or keep dustbin cans away from the house if possible.
A yellow jacket can sting if you don’t wear protective clothing while destroying their colony. The stung are painful. So, here is how to treat the wasp’s sting if you fall, victim.
Common mosquito and insect repellent will not stop the entry of yellow jackets into your home.
However, a repeller containing DEET ( diethyltoluamide) may reduce the chances of the yellow jacket flying on the bare skin.
It is best to wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants when you are in a place that has yellow jackets or a bee. Also, you should avoid using scented soaps, perfumes, and cologne when hiking or camping.
These body deodorants attract yellow jackets. So it is not wise to use them if you want to get rid of yellow jackets.
There is a host of pest control measures that work against yellow jackets and other pests. Some of these include:
Sanitation is an excellent pest control measure that destroys the insect’s food sources. It is also crucial to reduce the build-up of the insect population during the summer.
As mentioned earlier, one of the best sanitary measures to keep these dangerous insects is to always close trash cans. Similarly, ensure you always empty full trash cans at regular intervals.
Also, ensure you keep your outdoor tidy, block holes, and maintain your lawn to prevent them from burrowing into your ground
Yellow jackets, like other pests, can’t survive outside their nest for long. So a good way to kill them is to destroy their nest. Finding the location of the nest will help you recognize the workers’ entry and exit points.
However, it is best to treat in the dark. Yellow Jackets don’t see well in the dark. So the chance of being stung is less likely to happen since they are least active at night.
Also, in the dark, the colonies will be present in the nest. Therefore, the treatment will be more effective.
It is best to treat with pyrethrum aerosol. It would help if you waited until the aerosol was dry before you dusted the opening. It would be best to use insecticide dust.
Dust the nest entrance around the area. Check the next day to see if the treatment manages to get rid of the yellow jackets. It is best to repeat the process if you find any of the insects remaining.
Spray the nest opening at night with aerosol. Then, wait for the aerosol to dry. Typically, it takes 15 minutes for the aerosol to dry. You should do the same if you notice a nest underground.
The yellow jacket bait stations are built to work with insecticide. It would help if you supplied the station with fresh meat for the onslaught. Colonies of yellow jackets are enticed into the bait station.
When they ingest the mixture, the yellow jackets die off. The method is most effective during the spring and summer months.
Yellowjackets are aggressive and destructive since they can sting you and eat up your sweet fruit. Like a bee, a yellow jacket sting could be painful. Even worse, they can sting multiple times without dying.
It, therefore, becomes necessary to fight off this insect the moment you sight them flying around. To do this, locate their nest and apply any pest control methods to keep yellow jackets off your ground.
I hope you now know how to get rid of yellow jackets? Cheers.
