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Autumn is just around the corner, which marks the beginning of yellow jacket season. Generally intimidating in nature, having these insects congregate around the yard is a nerve-wracking experience for people and their families. Before leaving it up to pest control to permanently remove them, ask them the following questions to understand the pest's mannerisms and how you can handle the situation while waiting for professionals.

What to Ask Your Pest Control Company

What are yellow jackets?

Also known as predatory social wasps, yellow jackets are a carnivorous member of the Vespidae family. Resembling bees with their size and black and bright yellow stripes, they have smaller, more defined waists and lance-like stingers. Because their stinger is attached to their body, yellow jackets have a tendency to sting multiple times during attacks.

Where do they nest?

Yellow jackets typically nest below ground or protected areas away from harsh weather conditions, which includes under porches or steps, at the base of a tree, or in sidewalk cracks. Underground nests are hard to find because their entrances are approximately the size of a nickel, but you can detect one when they leave due to disruptions above ground.

What is their behavior like during fall?

pest controlPeak yellow jacket season is from late summer into fall when males emerge and reproduce with fertile females. During this time, a colony can host 1,000 or more yellow jackets at a given moment. Their diets also shift during the cooler fall season. While yellow jackets crave proteins in the summer to feed developing larva, they’re drawn to sugary liquids, like soda and juice, in the fall because it gives them an essential energy boost to keep working.

Is there any way to remove them?

There are some preventative measures you can take to decrease the amount of yellow jackets around your home. Keeping your trash receptacles closed and regularly emptied eliminates possible food sources for them to find while foraging. You should also avoid wearing sweet perfume and keep sugary snacks and drinks inside to avoid attracting yellow jackets from coming close to you and your family. If their nesting grounds are located around your landscaping, throw some cucumber slices around since they have acidic properties that naturally repel wasps.

 

If you have an infestation, contact Vogelsang Pest Management in Wentzville, MO. Delivering high-quality pest control services across St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties since 2013, this small business utilizes state-of-the-art equipment and natural treatments to get rid of yellow jackets, mosquitos, termites, and other troublesome insects and animals. Their team also prides themselves on quick communication and preventative check-ups every three months. View their services online or schedule an appointment by calling (314) 601-1789.

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