Wasps can be quite helpful. No, really. They help pollinate plants. They also help maintain insect populations and serve as a natural pest controller for crop eating insects like caterpillars.
However, knowing their benefits won’t make you feel any better if one stings you. You see, unlike, honeybees, many wasps can sting multiple times, and their sting can be quite excruciating.
In some cases, it can even be fatal. As was the case of John Clarke who was stung by a yellow jacket and subsequently died in May (Titus, 2016). Mr. Clarke had never been stung by a bee or wasp before and didn’t know he was allergic.
Ohio and northern Kentucky are home to a variety a wasp species. (Lucky us!) None of the species actively seek out humans to sting; however, they will do so if they feel their lives or nest are being threatened.
So, how can you spot wasps around your home and get rid of them?
Unfortunately, unlike with other pests, you will know you have a wasp problem when you start seeing wasps around your home. Wasps typically come into contact with humans because they are seeking food (like tidbits from our tasty summer barbecues) or have built their nest nearby.
Most wasps are pretty adaptive when it comes to where their nest is, meaning they’ll take advantage of whatever space is available.
Nests may be above or below ground in:
- Trees
- Rodent burrows
- Attics
- Eaves of houses
- Outdoor structures such as playhouses or sheds
- Mailboxes
- Gaps in homes, barns, or garages
You can discourage wasps from seeing your home as a fast food joint by removing sources of nutrition. For example, keep your garbage bagged up and keep those bags in tightly sealed bins. In addition, if you are having a picnic or dining outside, keep food well covered including sugary drinks like pop.
You can discourage wasps from building nests around your home by sealing up cracks and gaps in your home or outdoor structures, removing debris such as fallen trees (or even dead trees that are still standing as wasps might build a nest inside), and getting rid of old wasps nests (although you will want to make sure they truly are old and abandoned before doing so).
Be on the lookout for wasps near your home, as it may indicate a nest is nearby. Carefully inspect the areas mention above for wasp nests or signs of activity.
If you do find a wasp nest or notice increased wasp activity around your home, be sure to call a professional. As mentioned above, wasp stings can be very painful and in some cases, fatal. It is best to leave the treatment and remove of wasps to experienced professionals, like those at Scherzinger Pest Control.
Noticing wasps around your home? Contact us today. Scherzinger Termite and Pest Control is a trusted pest control company in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, including Dayton, OH, and now Columbus, OH. We’ve been pioneers, engineering new standards for ways of eliminating and controlling bugs and pests. Contact us by phone at 1-877-748-9888 or through our website, Facebook, or Twitter.