California has its perks, but dealing with a wasp infestation is not one of them. Wasps can be aggressive and leave painful stings, making it necessary for homeowners to take swift action to protect themselves and their families. We discuss how to deal with a wasp infestation below. We don’t recommend tackling a wasp nest yourself. When you need professional wasp eradication in Sacramento or the surrounding towns, contact Direct Hit Pest Control.

A Guide to Wasps

While some wasps are beneficial to humans by helping control other pest populations, others are aggressive and can pose a real threat to people and pets. If a wasp is near you, avoid swatting at it. Wasps carry venom that contains a pheromone that can incite aggression in nearby wasps. If one wasp is provoked or stings, surrounding wasps will pick up on this pheromone and may also become more aggressive. 

Insects such as bees lose their stinger after a single sting, but wasps are capable of stinging multiple times. If you swat at them, they may strike again if they feel threatened. If a wasp is near you, try to remain calm and allow it to fly away.

Yellow Jackets vs Paper Wasps

Yellow jackets are a subspecies of wasps that are particularly aggressive. You can tell the difference between a yellow jacket and a common paper wasp by the shape of its body. Paper wasps have slender bodies with thin waists and orange-tipped antennae, while yellow jackets have short, thick bodies and black antennae. 

In terms of nesting behavior, paper wasps make exposed nests usually on the south side of structures where it is hottest. In the Sacramento area, a particularly large wasp presence is expected this season. Wasps that have overwintered are developing nests, so you may notice more wasp activity but fewer enormous nests. To create their paper nests, they extract material from untreated dry wood, such as fence planks. You may see wasps on a well-watered lawn even when there is no nest nearby. They feed on lawn insects and drink water from irrigation and dew to stay hydrated while mixing with wood fiber to make nests. They are particularly active hunters of insects like aphids and spiders, so if there are many of those types of insects nearby, you will likely see more wasp activity.

Yellow jackets nest in voids such as holes in the ground or a wall or tree.  When it comes to behavior, yellow jackets tend to be much more aggressive than wasps. They are known for being territorial and will sting anything they perceive as a threat to their nest. Wasps can also be aggressive but are less likely to sting unless they feel threatened.

Preventing a Wasp Invasion

Once your wasp problem has been dealt with, take these actions to keep them from coming back. Seal all cracks and crevices in the walls and doors of your home, as wasps often use them as entry points. Keeping your yard debris-free, trimming your hedges often, and removing any standing water in the area can discourage wasps from building their nests. Keeping your outdoor trash cans tightly sealed and emptying them regularly can also help prevent wasps from returning.

Professional Pest Control in Sacramento

When your property has a wasp infestation, the team at Direct Hit Pest Control is trained to handle it. If you are suffering from a pest infestation do not hesitate to call our crew. For more information on pest extermination, please contact Direct Hit Pest Control in Sacramento at (916) 238-0249.