What are wasps?
Wasps are stinging insects and belong to the order Hymenoptera. They are predatory, feeding on and helping to control populations of nuisance insects. They also are responsible for a bit of pollination. You can distinguish wasps from bees by their smaller colony size; additionally, their bodies have a thin waistline, and they are void of hair. Species of wasps that live throughout Nebraska include yellow jackets, paper wasps, hornets, and mud daubers.
Are wasps dangerous?
While wasps may be great to have around our gardens, feeding on garden pests, and pollinating flowers and plants, they are not great to have around our homes. The closer a wasp nest is to the exterior of your home, the more likely the chance a sting will occur. Stings from wasps tend to be very painful and leave behind a raised, red, swollen area. The venom that wasps have and can inject into people is strong enough to trigger reactions in those who are allergic, sometimes requiring immediate medical attention.
Why do I have a wasp problem?
Wasps have become a problem on your property because they have deemed it suitable for nesting or to forage for food. Wasps, depending on their species, will build their nest in a variety of places. Our lawns, landscaping, utility poles, and even the outside of our homes make for suitable nesting sites, depending on the species. They will forage for food in our gardens, around trash cans, and in compost.
Where will I find wasps?
Wasps tend to be daytime workers; they are less active at dawn and dusk. During the day, workers are out and about foraging for food to bring back to the colony. Stings are most likely to occur when wasps are active and moving about. If you accidentally get too close to them or their nest, they will defend themselves by delivering painful stings.
Where a wasp chooses to place its nest depends on its species. In general, wasps like to make their nest in secluded, sheltered areas. Common nestings sites for wasps like yellow jackets, paper wasps, hornets, and mud daubers include areas under shrubs and bushes, in tree cavities, under roof eaves, in woodpiles, in chimneys, and behind walls voids. They also like to build their nests on the rafters of sheds, barns, and other outbuildings.
How do I get rid of wasps?
Get rid of wasps from your residential or commercial property with the help of the local experts at All Star Pest Control. We will eliminate wasps and other pests from your home or business and provide the follow-up services needed to prevent them from returning. We work closely with our customers to ensure that we meet all their pest control needs.
All Star Pest Control offers exceptional pest control services, using the most modern technology and products available. If you are ready to protect your Omaha, Nebraska home or business from pests, reach out to All Star Pest Control today. Our results are guaranteed!
How can I prevent wasps in the future?
The best way to prevent future problems with wasps is to partner with the professionals at All Star Pest Control. It is also important to implement the following prevention tips:
- Many species of wasps like to feed on the same food we do. Prevent them from foraging for food in our trash cans by keeping tight-fitting lids on them.
- These flying pests often find their way into our homes through holes in exterior walls or along the roofline, or through tears in screens. Repair any of these damaged areas.
- Make sure chimneys have caps on them.
- Avoid drawing wasps near your home by limiting the number of flowering plants you have planted close to your house.
- Don’t provide wasps with easy access to water. Remove standing water, fix clogged gutters, and repair leaky pipes.
- Limit areas ground-nesting wasps have to nest by filling in ground holes, removing fallen trees, and digging up old tree stumps.
- Cut tree branches back away from the outside of your home.
- If you discover a nest on your property, keep kids and pets away until a professional can come and safely remove the nest.