Seeing a wasp nearby can make anyone run in the opposite direction. While not all wasps are considered aggressive, they aren't necessarily friendly toward humans, and you wouldn't want them hanging around your home.
If you are seeing wasp nests around your home, you need to exercise extreme caution. You should never try to remove a nest on your own. Instead, you should enlist the help of an experienced Snohomish pest control specialist. At Guard Pest Control, we can help you safely remove the wasps and their nest from your property so that you can safely enjoy your yard once again.
Distinctive Wasp Characteristics: How To Identify Wasps
Many people mistakenly think that bees and wasps are the same thing. While these two animals can share several characteristics, they are also very different. For instance, wasps tend to have more slender bodies than bees. They also typically have longer wings and can be more aggressive than bees.
To help you better identify wasps in this area, here is a look at the most common types of wasps that Snohomish homeowners find in their yards:
- Yellow jackets: This wasp is the one that most often gets mistaken for a bee. It usually measures around ⅝ of an inch long and has a black and yellow striped body. They can build aerial nests that look like they’re wrapped in paper. However, they can also live in underground nests.
- Bald-faced hornets: One of the more aggressive species of wasps, the bald-faced hornet is a social wasp and not a hornet, despite its name. They can measure a half-inch in length and have black bodies with white markings. Their faces are usually white, which makes their faces look "bald."
- Mud Daubers: This is a non-aggressive type of wasp. They can measure over one inch long and typically have black bodies that can have light-colored or blue markings. Mud daubers get their name from the unique way that they use mud to build their nests.
- Paper wasps: This social wasp can measure anywhere from ⅝ to ¾ of an inch long. They have brown bodies that usually have yellow or red markings. They usually build aerial nests shaped like an upside umbrella and look as if they are wrapped in paper.
Most of the wasps in this area are social creatures, but there are a few solitary species here as well. Typically the social wasps tend to be more aggressive, but all wasps can sting you if they feel threatened.
Wasp Infestations: Health Risks And Property Damage
Wasps can be extremely territorial. If you get too close to a wasp's nest, several wasps at a time could attack you. And unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times without losing their stinger. Many people are allergic to the wasp venom that is injected into their bodies when they are stung. Even if you are not allergic to a wasp's sting, being stung by multiple wasps at once can be harsh on your body and cause severe symptoms.
In addition to being dangerous, wasps can also cause property damage to your home in some cases. Several types of paper wasps in this area use chewed-up wood to make their nests. The wasps sometimes use the wooden structures around your house to build their nest. At first, the damage to your home will be minimal. But as the wasp infestation becomes more severe, the damage could become more prominent and more expensive to repair.
Strategies For Wasp Prevention: Effective Tips And Tricks
Many wasps have a diverse diet. They like to eat sweet plant nectar as well as insects. They will stay on your property if your property provides a reliable source of food and shelter. Some of the things that you can do to keep wasps away include:
- Keep food and drinks covered when outdoors.
- Avoid wearing sweet-scented products.
- Keep your yard well-maintained.
- Fill in ground holes and structural voids where wasps may nest.
These tips can make your home less attractive to wasps, but if you continue to see them around your property, contact Guard Pest Control for effective solutions.
Safe And Effective Wasp Removal: Contact Us Right Away!
If you see any wasps or their nests around your property, you should give us a call today. At Guard Pest Control, we know the right way to safely remove wasps from your Snohomish property and keep them away for good.
Give us a call today to get your free quote.