Telling Wasps Apart
The term wasp refers to an entire category of flying, stinging insects. Even bees are a part of the wasp family, and those are the ones we tend to think of when it comes to allergies. But people can actually be allergic to any stinging pest. They all have venom, which contains chemical compounds that some people’s bodies can’t process. Much the same way people can find out they are allergic to certain kinds of food, they can also discover that they are allergic to certain kinds of wasps. That’s why, no matter what kind of wasp is around, it’s important to let professionals handle them. That said, here are some of the most common varieties:
- Bees: Both honeybees and bumblebees are considered wasps, and both are the most ideal pollinators of the bunch thanks to their fuzzy bodies. These tend to be the least aggressive since they die shortly after deploying their stingers.
- Yellowjackets: These have similar coloration to bees but lack the obvious hairs that make bees so fuzzy. They are instead shiny and tend to fly much faster.
- Hornets: Another broad category of stinging pests, hornets can come in many shapes and sizes. While some are yellow and black, others have different markings and coloration entirely. Hornets also tend to be much more aggressive than bees.
Wasps: Dangerous Yet Beneficial
Despite the dangers associated with their stings, wasps are beneficial to the environments they inhabit. Most people know how important pollinators are to aiding the growth of plants, which means they are essential for crops, too. Even the less fuzzy wasps tend to eat pollen or sugars that are secreted by plants, so all wasps are crucial to the reproduction of plants in both commercial and residential settings. Many wasps even hunt the garden pests that eat through leaves and flowers, so they can be a boon to those looking to control destructive pests. However, a nest of stinging wasps on your property isn’t all sunshine and roses. Even for those who aren’t allergic, stings are no fun and the last thing anyone wants is to feel like they’re being run out of their own backyard by buzzing bugs. That’s why it’s better to prevent wasps than simply react to them once they’re already there.
Preventing Nests In Your Yard
To make sure populations of wasps don’t move into your yard, you need to reduce the factors that attract them. Those include:
- Plants: Pollinators like pollen, especially the tasty kind found within flowering plants. Human properties tend to have these very plants in our yards, thanks to the decorative landscaping we all like to look at.
- Sugars: Wasps are attracted by sugary aromas, which plants give off but so do food items. Discarded soda cans or other improperly disposed of waste can be an attractant for wasps.
- Moisture: All pests need water to survive and wasps will hang out near standing pools or puddles. Remove puddles that form and make sure to address leaking pipes or hoses that might cause excess moisture.
Safe Wasp Removal From Aerex
Instead of risking your own skin (literally) trying to remove wasp nests from your lawn, let experts do so safely. At Aerex Pest Control, our professional technicians know how to properly identify stinging wasps and apply solutions that match the population. Not only can we get rid of existing nests, but we also offer yard treatments that will prevent wasps from building them in your yard in the first place. Let us get started on an inspection right away.
To stay protected from wasps, contact Aerex Pest Control today.