In fact, these critters seem to be the most common source of stings in the US. In this article, we will shed some light on yellow jackets and some of the most interesting facts associated with them. Having a great time with your loved ones on a summer picnic?
In no time, your fun is ruined by flying creatures. These creatures are the crucial predator of other pests. While bees can sting only once, this is certainly not the case with yellow jackets. They have the ability to sting you many times. They can easily find their way to your garden or yard because of their capability of smelling food or other things that catch their attention. Sweets and meats are the food items that entice these aggressive creatures to grills and other areas.
Moreover, outdoor picnics seem more like an open invitation to starving yellow jackets. There are times when yellow jackets bite through drywall to penetrate into living spaces.
Here is how an Yellow Jacket looks like…. Many people have a perception that yellow jackets and bees are the same because of their yellow and black stripes. But this statement does not hold true. In fact, yellow jackets differ from bees in several ways. A typical worker is around half an inch in length, while the queen has a considerably large size and is about three-fourths inch in length.
Not only do their bodies look sleek, but they are shiny as well. They have two wings to fly. But the most unique feature is the black and yellow bands covering their abdomen. Bees have a round shaped and hairy body. The body of the yellow jacket, on the other hand, is not only thin but smooth as well. However, the bodies of these creatures are slender between their abdomen and thorax. They can deliver multiple stings at once and are loaded with spear-like stingers.
Yellow jackets can be found in woodlands, orchards, farms, playgrounds, meadows, cemeteries and other areas as well. Even though the reproduction takes place in a number of habitats as well as locations, there are various species of these annoying pests that build their nests in the same way. Yellow jackets are a diurnal species, meaning they are only active during the day.
Protective clothing is a must. Long-sleeves, jeans, thick gloves and safety goggles are a must have if you are going to treat a nest on your own. Have we mentioned yellow jacket stings are quite painful? A dust treatment is preferable to an aerosol product. Yellow jackets returning from foraging runs will carry the dust further into the nest as it stick to their bodies. Repeat after one week.
Not surprisingly, yellowjackets get their common name from their typical black and yellow color pattern banded across their abdomens. Yellowjackets, wasps , and hornets may look alike and have similar characteristics, but they can be very different in their level of aggressiveness and their habits. It is important to properly identify the type of stinger in your home or garden before attempting any type of control. Yellowjackets are found worldwide, and there are about 16 species that reside in the U.
They are social insects that have annual colonies; only the queen lives through winter to start a new colony in the spring. Depending on the species, the queen will pick either an underground or aerial site to build her nest. Common places for a nest are attached to bushes, trees, or the eaves of homes. Yellowjacket nests are built with a recognizable paper-like material made from chewed cellulose.
The instinct to protect the nests is strong for this insect. For this reason, they have been known to give chase for several yards. They will even go around obstacles or hover near water and wait.
That is why it is never a good idea to submerge yourself in water to escape yellow jackets. They can wait longer than you can hold your breath, especially if you've been running.
Yellow jackets sting multiple times. Unlike many bees, these wasps don't have a barb on their stinger. That means that, not only will they live long after they've stung you, they can sting you several times. So, it is no fun running into even a small nest of yellow jackets.
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