Wasps – A Big Punch?
There are fewer things that can ruin an outdoor activity than stumbling upon a wasp hive. This is particularly true if you have an allergy to wasp stings. For those with allergies, a sting can be more than painful, it can be deadly.
The Problem: Stinging Pests
There are many wasp species. Nearly every species of wasp is prone to attack and nearly all of them have stingers. These stingers deliver a painful pinch and are loaded with venom. For some a sting means a painful bump, but for others a wasp sting can cause an allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
The problem with disturbing a hive when trying to conduct a hive removal and especially wasp removal is that the victim can receive multiple stings. If the nest being disturbed is a wasp or hornet nest a single insect can sting multiple times, injecting venom repeatedly.
Know the types of wasps
Some species of wasps are prone to sting in large numbers and include:
- Yellow jackets – probably one of the better-known species of stinging insect. They can pack an extremely painful punch, so it is better to stay afar of any hive or nest just in case you’ve come across an aggressive species.
- Hornets – in the wasp family of insects and similar to yellow jackets albeit larger and typically red/brown in coloration, these insects attack when their hives are disturbed, or a drone hornet is killed. Hornets can sting multiple times because their stingers are not barbed like the honeybee, so they are not lost when they sting.
- Paper wasps – Paper wasps get their common name from the paper-like material out of which they make their nests. Paper wasps are sometimes called umbrella wasps, after the shape of their distinctive nests. These stinging insects are semi-social creatures, as they typically live in small colonies but do not have a worker caste. There are about 22 known paper wasp species in North America, and hundreds in the world. Some additional species of this type of insect include the annularis paper wasp, apache paper wasp, dominulus paper wasp, dorsalis paper wasp and golden paper wasp.
Paper wasps generally have a similar body shape to yellowjackets, but somewhat slimmer with a thin “waist,” with six long legs and an almost triangular side view, as well as two wings and antennae. They are mostly brown with some yellow coloration. Each of the known paper wasp species share similar traits of brown and yellow coloring, but they also have different bands of colors and markings that separate them from one another. Some species of paper wasp may even have hints of bolder colors like red, or even brighter colored lines compared to others.
One of the keys to successful wasp removal is identifying the species. The species and their behaviors determine the most effective way to deal with the hive or nest and remove it.
Wasp Nest treatment
Tackling the removal of a wasp hive or nest is not something the average person should attempt on their own. It takes special skills to know how to get rid of stinging pests because when a hive is threatened wasps can attack in swarms, inflicting the victim with multiple stings. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 90-100 people in the U.S. die from allergic reactions to insect stings every year.
You can find a million Do-It-Yourself wasp removal scenarios and tips online, but in most situations… it is better to leave it to the professionals who are specially trained in getting rid of these pests.
Reasons for the Homeowner Not to Attempt Nest treatment and removal
1. Potential for disaster
Amateur wasp removal is just begging for disaster. You could choose the wrong product, you could make a mistake, you could forget safety glasses or gloves, or you could end up hurting yourself.
2. Allergies
A portion of the human population is allergic or hypersensitive to stings, so just one sting can cause a medical emergency. In rare instances, stings can result in life-threatening symptoms, including anaphylactic shock.
3. Mistakes cost money
Insect control is not usually cost prohibitive, and it will save you from a painful aftermath if you do it wrong. Of course, it will probably be cheaper to buy a spray from your local hardware store, but if it is targeted for the wrong insect or used incorrectly it might not solve your problem. You could end up having to call a professional to clean up a bigger mess than before.
4. Exposure to chemicals
A lot of wasp control products are full of nasty chemicals that you probably do not want to inhale or be exposed to more than necessary. We will use environmentally friendly treatments to get rid of your wasps, so your pets and children do not accidentally ingest something harmful.
5. Extensive Preparation Required to Safely treat and Remove
Any garden work requires compliance with personal safety, and the extermination of hornets’ and wasps’ nests are not the exception. Are you prepared to implement the following to safely remove a stinging insects’ nest or hive from your property?
- Only work in the dawn or dusk hours when these insects are ‘typically’ less aggressive
- No lights can be used as these insects can perceive the light from the searchlights as sunlight and start their hunt ahead of time.
- Prepare to pay considerably for a suitable protective suit, rubber boots, glasses, rubberized gloves, and a hat.
- Prepare escape routes. These insects are unpredictable creatures, and when the entire nest understands the reason for the invasion, it will likely not be possible to leave the territory painlessly.
- Prepare anti-allergic medications recommended by your doctor for a wasp sting. This could be life-threatening if left unaddressed.
Millette Pest Control is the Smart (and Safe) Choice
If you recognize a hive on your property, contact our team as we specialize in successful wasp treatment & removal when possible. They will visit your home properly prepared for treatment of any nest and will handle any follow-up problems. They are trained in the best methods of physical and chemical treatment , ensuring the safety of your family and home.