Yellow jacket queens are the key to the castle of yellow jacket-kind. They are the primary source of reproduction for the species, and are the source of your painful, sting-infused summer barbeques. So, what do you do when a yellow jacket queen sets up her kingdom in your backyard?
If a yellow jacket queen has set up shop and you don’t have the pain tolerance to deal with it, that’s okay. Recon Pest Services is here for you, removing yellow jackets from backyards all across the Omaha & Lincoln metro area.
Identifying Yellow Jacket Queens
Although you likely won’t see a yellow jacket queen outside of her nest, here’s what they look like in case you ever find yourself confronted by one. Here’s what to look for:
- Incredible size: Yellow jacket queens are about twice the size of a normal yellow jacket, and have large, swollen abdomens.
- Special Patterns: A row of dots on each side of the abdomen’s black stripe is a telltale sign of a yellow jacket queen bee. This feature is unique to the queen and helps differentiate her from the workers.
- Body Texture: Queens are smooth, with very little texture on their body. Compare this to worker wasps that are fuzzier and more textured, for the sake of gathering and spreading pollen. Yellow jacket queens don’t get out much; it’s hard being a single mother of 200.
Early spring is the best time to set traps, as catching a yellow jacket queen then can prevent the establishment of a new colony. Remember, each queen can give rise to hundreds more, leading to an exponential increase in the population and potential new colonies in the following year. If you find one nest, it might spawn several more within the season!
Preventative Measures Against Yellow Jacket Queens
Taking proactive steps to prevent yellow jacket queens from establishing near your home is key to a peaceful summer. Here’s how you can keep these stinging insects at bay:
- Set the Trap:
- Experiment with store bought yellow jacket traps or similar products to capture queens.
- To bait the trap, use poisoned sugar water or fruit. Proteins like chicken can also attract wasps, since they’re scavengers at heart.
- Eliminate Attractants:
- Keep food and drinks covered and promptly clean up after outdoor gatherings.
- Secure garbage cans with tight lids and rinse recycling containers to remove food residue.
- Store pet food indoors and eliminate standing water to remove potential yellow jacket food sources.
- Make your yard hostile to nests:
- Hang false nests like the Waspinator to deter yellow jackets from building in the area.
- Seal cracks in your home that wasps can use to get in and build indoor colonies. Check your windows and foundation!
- Remove nesting materials, including rotting wood, paper, or leaves from your property. Wasp nests are made out of a paper like substance, so keep your yard free of easily accessible wood pulp stuffs.
By following these steps, you’ll reduce the chances of a yellow jacket queen establishing a colony on your property, ensuring a more enjoyable outdoor season.
Controlling Yellow Jacket Populations
Controlling yellow jacket queens is a delicate balance between maintaining their beneficial roles in the ecosystem and ensuring they don’t become a nuisance or danger around your home. Here’s how to manage their numbers effectively:
- Professional Nest Removal: Always consider professional help first. Experts come equipped with protective gear and specialized equipment to safely remove aerial or structural nests. This is crucial as yellow jackets will fiercely defend their queen and larvae.
- Chemical Controls: If chemical intervention is necessary, opt for EPA-classified minimum-risk products. Spray cans can help you target nests from a distance, but ground nests (such as hornet nests) may require dust insecticides for effective control.
By taking these steps, you can keep yellow jacket numbers in check, ensuring your summer is safe and enjoyable.
Conclusion
Recognizing and disrupting the lifecycle of the yellow jacket, especially through strategic control of the queen, is paramount in ensuring that these bugs stay away from your own castle.
Keeping these stinging pests at bay requires a dedicated approach, and sometimes, expert assistance is the best course of action to maintain a safe and comfortable outdoor environment.
For those needing professional help, contact Recon Pest Services today for your free quote, and keep your yard safe from yellow jackets year round!
