All About Yellow Jackets
Vespula sp.
General Information
Yellow jackets tend to be aggressive around their nests, which are often hidden underground and can’t be seen. Unlike bees, yellow jackets can sting repeatedly, making them especially dangerous for people who are allergic. Here are some additional insights to help you prepare for and/or limit your exposure to yellow jackets.
- Yellow jackets are scavengers and are often encountered during cookouts or other outdoor activities.
- High numbers of yellow jackets can also be found near trash receptacles and dumpsters.
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Queen yellow jackets build nests underground, in aerial paper nests, or in hollow openings in buildings, such as the insides of soffits or under siding.
- Yellow jackets are most often seen twice a year: in the spring, when the over-wintering queen emerges to start a new colony, and then again in late summer/early fall when colonies are reaching maturity and large numbers of workers are actively foraging.
- Yellow jackets are commonly considered one of the most dangerous stinging insects. Although they don’t go out of their way to bother humans, they are often unpredictable and will sting in order to defend their nest..
- Many people are stung when they step on hidden yellow jacket nests in the ground as they mow their lawn or perform other outdoor activities.
- These flying pests can sting many times and do not usually die after stinging.
- When a yellow jacket stings, it releases an “alarm pheromone” that excites nearby yellow jackets to also sting the victim.
- Some people can have severe allergic reactions to yellow jacket stings. These people should get immediate medical attention.
Yellow jackets can be a nuisance buzzing around your yard and home. Follow these tips to help get rid of yellow jackets:
- In the spring, place a trap along the perimeter of your yard to catch the queen and keep the new colony from forming.
- Restrict access into the home by closing doors and windows.
- Close all garbage containers and rinse out recyclable items before placing them in the bin.
- When eating outside, bring out the food just before you are ready to eat, cover up serving dishes during the meal, and put food back inside after eating.
- Always look for these stinging insects before drinking from open beverage containers outdoors.
Solutions for yellow jackets
Kill troublesome wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets — including their entire nest — with this wasp spray that can be used on areas from up to 22 feet away.
Highlights:
Raid® Wasp & Hornet Killer allows you to spray up to 22 feet, killing the entire nest.
- It kills wasps and hornets on contact and is electrically non-conducting up to 32,500 volts.
- Available in 14 oz. and 17.5 oz. sizes.
Flies, mosquitoes, or wasps buzzing a little too close for comfort? Raid® Flying Insect Killer works on contact — both indoors and outdoors — with no lingering chemical odor.
Highlights:
Raid® Flying Insect Killer is specially formulated to kill a number of flying insects including flies, wasps, hornets, and mosquitoes.
- It can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Also available in Outdoor Fresh® and Orange Breeze scents.
- Available in 15 oz., 18 oz., and 20 oz. sizes.
From scurrying insects on the ground to buzzing insects in the air, Raid® Multi Insect Killer spray controls the most common bug problems — both inside and outdoors.
Highlights:
Raid® Multi Insect Killer is specially formulated to kill both crawling and flying insects.
- Kills common listed household insects.
- Also available in Orange Breeze scent.
- Available in 15 oz. size.
Kill fleas and other pests at the source with this powerful water-based formula. And rest assured, our Raid® Flea Killer Plus Fogger kills fleas and hatching egg s for up to four months.
Highlights:
Raid® Flea Killer Plus Fogger allows you to treat an entire room with a water-based formula that kills fleas and hatching eggs for up to four months.
- Available in 15 oz. size.
Kills flies, mosquitoes and listed bugs
Highlights:
Use this product to kill flies, mosquitoes and other listed bugs for up to 6 hours.
- Available in 16 oz. size.
Related
How To Get Rid Of Wasps, Hornets, And Yellow Jackets
The mere sight of wasps, hornets, and/or yellow jackets, tends to put a little panic in our heart. And with good reason, especially if you’ve ever been stung. Read on for tips and solutions to help rid these pests from your home – and prevent them from coming back.
Treating and Preventing a Wasp, Hornet, or Yellow Jacket Sting
Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets sting as a means of self-defense. Their stingers contain venom that can cause mild irritation to some and trigger fatal allergic reactions in others.
Chemical-free Ways to Help Keep Bugs Out of Your House and Yard
To help get rid of pests naturally, you have to think like a bug. How do they get in the house? What are they attracted to? Where do they hide and breed? Find the answers and solutions to these problems below.