Natural Yellow Jacket Control in Virginia
Southern and German Yellow Jackets are the species you'll most likely encounter in Virginia. Southern Yellow Jackets prefer nesting underground, while German Yellow Jackets prefer nesting in the walls of structures and other void areas. Their sheer numbers and quick nest building can easily make them a formidable foe.
Yellow jacket nests consist of multiple combs stacked on top of each other, enclosed by a protective papery layer. These nests are constructed in old burrows and other soil cavities (or wall voids) using a mixture created by mixing their saliva with chewed wood fibers.
A yellow jacket colony can contain several thousand workers and produce many queens. These new queens will bury themselves deeper into the ground to survive a harsh winter and will emerge in warmer weather to start a new colony. Other members of the colony will die off with 5-7 days of temperatures below 45 °F.
Dangers of Yellow Jacket Stings
Rashes
Hives
Dizziness
Headache
Body aches
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Swelling away from the sting
Shortness of breath
Drop in blood pressure
Difficulty swallowing
State of shock
Unconsciousness
Death
Tips to Reduce Yellow Jackets & Yellow Jacket Stings
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Keep lawn areas maintained and foliage thinned out to allow for more sunlight and increased airflow, while reducing nesting materials.
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Reduce or eliminate items that hold standing water outdoors such as containers, old tires, tarps and furniture covers, and any other item that holds water.
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Avoid wearing strong or sweet scented lotions, perfumes, hairsprays etc. when spending time outdoors.
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Be observant and take note of the presence of yellow jackets. Early detection allows you to avoid the area if possible, like when cutting the grass, or have the nest treated before it becomes established.
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Wear long sleeve shirts and pants if weather permits.
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Wear khaki, tan, or dark colored clothing if in an area with yellow jackets.
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Try to avoid quick movements if you encounter a nest.
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Hire Essential Pest for natural yellow jacket control.
Did You Know?
Wasps are some of the most incredible flying insects. They can remember faces, which not only helps them recognize others from their nest, but also helps them to stay locked on to a perceived threat. Little claws on their feet give them a firm grip when they land on their target, allowing them to sting repeatedly.
Yellow Jackets can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, so you're not likely to outrun them. Your best option during an attack is to move away from the area calmly and quickly in a straight line, since most wasps will stop their pursuit once you're 100-150 feet from their nest. It's no wonder they instill fear in anyone who stumbles across a nest!