Fall is almost here, and it’s time for pumpkin spice everything! Before you get too excited to drink your pumpkin spice coffee with your apple cider donuts on your deck, be on the lookout for aggressive yellow jackets. Yellow jackets become more aggressive as early fall approaches making them more likely to sting, which is why if you have a nest on your property now is the time to treat or remove it.
Yellow Jacket Life Cycle
By late summer into early fall, the yellow jacket nest will reach its peak and can have up to 1000 or more workers. Starting in late summer, the males will begin to appear to mate with females. As winter approaches the males will die off, and the fertilized females will seek shelter for the winter to become next year’s queens.
In the spring, the queens will re-emerge and begin to build nests. Once they have created their nests, the queen will start laying her eggs. After the eggs have hatched and the larvae have matured to adults, the offspring will then be the first generation of workers. Yellow jackets are typically noticed around late June or early July. From that point on the Queen will remain inside the nest laying additional eggs throughout the summer.
Why Should I Treat my Yellow Jacket Nest in Fall?
There are several reasons why fall is the optimal time to treat any yellow jackets nests that you have noticed on your property or home.
“Nests are at their largest at the end of the summer and generally the yellow jackets can be more aggressive,” said Dave Burgess, Vice President of Operations at Cooper Pest Solutions. “Also as it gets cooler the workers all die off, so if during this time the nest is in the home, the yellow jackets may find their way inside the house.”
During the early fall, yellow jackets tend to become more aggressive as their natural food source declines. Since they are attracted to sweets and proteins, you may happen to notice them more around trash receptacles, barbecues and at tailgating events near the beer or sugary drinks.
The combination of Yellow Jacket numbers being at their peak coupled with an increased level of aggression, the fall months are the most dangerous time for being stung without provocation. Those who are allergic to bee stings should exercise caution around the wasps because they are capable of stinging multiple times. DO NOT taunt or provoke the yellow jackets otherwise; they will easily sting you, especially in the fall.
If you currently have a nest on or in wall voids of your property, Burgess recommends immediate action before it is too late.
“Typically nests located in wall voids are hard to remove, but we highly recommend it,” he said. “Abandoned nests can become breeding sources for other pests. If we cannot remove the nest, we will treat the nest with non-repellants to keep the yellow jackets from forcing themselves into your home.”
Why Use Cooper Pest Solutions to Treat your Yellow Jacket Nest?
There are some reasons why homeowners should opt to use a professional pest control company over any DIY treatments when dealing with the aggressive yellow jacket populations.
“Unlike any DIY remedies you may try, Cooper technicians are thoroughly trained to handle these situations,” Burgess said. “Our technicians wear protective bee gear and treat the entrances with non-repellent liquids and dust, which will be more effective than any product sold at a big retailer.”
Not only do Cooper technicians have the protective gear and tools to handle the treatment of yellow jacket nests, but they also have the training and experience when dealing with wasps. The skilled technicians understand the biology and behavior of the yellow jackets allowing them to utilize the knowledge needed to effectively treat the wasp nest.
Stinging Insect Nest Removal and Wasp Prevention – To remove an active yellow jacket, wasp, or hornet nest, click here to conveniently order service online.
