What Are Wasps?
Wasps are among the most hated of pests. Their nasty stingers and freaky wings can send anyone running when they decide to crash your picnic or outdoor barbeque, and we definitely don’t blame you if you take off when one makes an entrance.
Wasps are a flying pest that fall into one of two categories: social or solitary. Social wasps tend to build their nests above grounds in sheltered locations that are often well-hidden, such as in dense foliage, attics, wall voids, or tucked under the eaves of structures such as your home’s deck or gutters. Solitary wasps, on the other hand, build their nests in the ground using mud or in hollow spots of plant stems or wood.
Wasps are a flying pest that fall into one of two categories: social or solitary. Social wasps tend to build their nests above grounds in sheltered locations that are often well-hidden, such as in dense foliage, attics, wall voids, or tucked under the eaves of structures such as your home’s deck or gutters. Solitary wasps, on the other hand, build their nests in the ground using mud or in hollow spots of plant stems or wood.
How to Identify Wasps
Wasps do look similar to bees, but there are some distinct differences. Wasps have characteristically slender waists, and they don’t usually have as much fuzzy body hair as bees sometimes do. Wasps have six legs and two pairs of wings. There are many different species of wasps in the United States, but they’re often bright in color to serve as a warning to predators. They can be black, yellow, red-brown, dark brown, yellow-orange, or black and yellow striped.
Only female wasps possess the ability to sting you. Further unlike bees, the female wasp can sting multiple targets, as the stinger doesn’t fall off after being used. Wasps aren’t known to carry diseases that can be transferred to humans by their sting, but it is painful, and allergic reactions can occur that, in severe cases, can be fatal.
The most common way that wasps get inside of your home is through windows and doors. You might enjoy throwing open the windows and letting in the sunshine and fresh air when the weather warms up, but this also invites wasps to fly inside. Holes in your window screens allow them to squeeze through, or they can also slip inside unnoticed while the door is open or by hitchhiking on the back of a person or pet.Â
If a wasp colony has built its nest in your home, there are several places they might have chosen. A nest in your attic might be visible, but a colony could have established itself in the walls or high up, out of your reach. And when the average wasp nest holds up to 6,000 wasps, you definitely do not want to try and remove a nest on your own, especially if it’s large in size.Â
Only female wasps possess the ability to sting you. Further unlike bees, the female wasp can sting multiple targets, as the stinger doesn’t fall off after being used. Wasps aren’t known to carry diseases that can be transferred to humans by their sting, but it is painful, and allergic reactions can occur that, in severe cases, can be fatal.
Why Do I Have Wasps Near My Home
Wasps only hunt to feed their offspring. Adults feed exclusively on sugars, meaning they’re often on the search for sources such as flower nectar. Your flower bed might be drawing them towards your home, but so can bright, floral décor. They’re also drawn to sweets in your trash. Even a strong, fragrant perfume can attract wasps.ÂThe most common way that wasps get inside of your home is through windows and doors. You might enjoy throwing open the windows and letting in the sunshine and fresh air when the weather warms up, but this also invites wasps to fly inside. Holes in your window screens allow them to squeeze through, or they can also slip inside unnoticed while the door is open or by hitchhiking on the back of a person or pet.Â
If a wasp colony has built its nest in your home, there are several places they might have chosen. A nest in your attic might be visible, but a colony could have established itself in the walls or high up, out of your reach. And when the average wasp nest holds up to 6,000 wasps, you definitely do not want to try and remove a nest on your own, especially if it’s large in size.Â
Wasp Prevention Tips
Since a wasp is usually on the hunt for food, removing potential food sources for wasps from your home will help to not attract them in the first place. Keep your home and yard clean, and don’t leave out sweet, sugary treats like the forgotten popsicle that melts on the porch step. But wasps also hunt other pests in order to feed their young, so if you have an existing pest problem already, wasps might come to your place looking for them.
Keep flower gardens and any bright, floral-patterned furniture away from the home. If you’re hosting an outdoor barbeque, make sure all leftover meat gets properly put away or thrown into a secured trash can, as wasps may try to scavenge an easy meal for their young from your scraps.
If a wasp does pay a visit near or inside of your home, a wasp and hornet killer spray can be an excellent tool to have on hand. However, these sprays are powerful insecticides and are not only unsafe to use indoors, but should be used with caution to protect you, your family, and your pets.
If you’ve discovered a nest inside your home or are having repeated incidents of wasps indoors, contact the khaki-clad pest control service pros at Greenix to get the job done safely and properly.
Keep flower gardens and any bright, floral-patterned furniture away from the home. If you’re hosting an outdoor barbeque, make sure all leftover meat gets properly put away or thrown into a secured trash can, as wasps may try to scavenge an easy meal for their young from your scraps.
If a wasp does pay a visit near or inside of your home, a wasp and hornet killer spray can be an excellent tool to have on hand. However, these sprays are powerful insecticides and are not only unsafe to use indoors, but should be used with caution to protect you, your family, and your pets.
If you’ve discovered a nest inside your home or are having repeated incidents of wasps indoors, contact the khaki-clad pest control service pros at Greenix to get the job done safely and properly.
Wasp Control With Greenix Pest Control
Nobody wants to stay in a room when a wasp is flying about. Don’t let them chase you out of your own space any longer. Fly swatters and wasp spray can be great for the rare case of an unwelcome guest, but continuous, repeated wasp instances should be addressed by the professional Greenix pest control team so the heart of the problem is properly resolved. Find your nearest Greenix team and get your service scheduled today!
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Schedule wasp control with our team by calling (844) 689-7741. You can also message us online.