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Breaking Down Stinging insects
As a homeowner or renter, stinging insects may invade your property and they’ll turn your life upside down. Stinging insects are a member of the Hymenoptera order. Surprisingly, they belong to this group with ants. Stinging insects may seem like a nightmare, but they’re helpful too. They’re beneficial pollinators so they can help plants grow. If they’re not destroying your home, it is best to stay away from them and leave them alone. How aggressive is the stinging insect on your property?
Before you can find out, you’ll need to identify the species. In Seattle, some of the most common stinging insects include bald-faced hornets, paper wasps, carpenter bees, and honeybees. On this page, you’ll find more about stinging insects.
Which Stinging Insect Is On My Property?
To determine the stinging insect on your property, you need to check its appearance and its nest.
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps are moderately aggressive and usually do not create problems for you and your loved ones. Try to stay away from them because they might sting if you get too close.
Paper Wasp Nest
Paper wasp nests are unique because they have a distinctive honeycomb pattern. Paper wasps like building nests under eaves and on fences.
Paper Wasps Looks
There are two paper wasps species common to our area. One is the European Paper Wasps, and the other is the Northern Paper Wasps. European Paper Wasps have yellow and black stripes with orange antennas. As for Northern Paper Wasps, their bodies are brown and they have a few dark, orange areas.
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets are aggressive, so it is best to stay as far away from them as possible. Their nest grows larger in late summer and fall. Around this time, they’re going to get more aggressive.
Yellowjacket Nest
Yellowjackets build large nests that are home to thousands of individuals. Their nests tend to have a paper-like material wrapped around them. That material is usually black or gray. Yellowjacket nests are commonly found in dense bushes and near your attic. However, some species will build underground nests.
Yellowjacket Looks
These stinging insects have yellow and black stripes across their bodies. When they fly across your yard, their legs will be tucked tightly against their body.
Bald-Faced Hornets
Bald-faced hornets are similar to yellowjackets because they get more aggressive during late summer and fall. When the nest gets larger, you can guarantee that these hornets are going to be aggressive.
Bald-Faced Hornet Nest
Their nests are often compared to inverted teardrops. Bald-faced hornets build nests on trees, bushes, and building sides.
Bald-Faced Hornet Looks
These stinging insects have black and white bodies with larger heads and thorax. In addition to this, they have a stinger.
Honeybees
In terms of aggression, honeybees rank at the bottom of the list. They rarely sting people who get close to their nest. Some honeybees are bred to be gentle.
Honeybee Nest
Honeybees build extensive nests with combs. They’re made of wax and tend to be found on trees, rocks, and walls. One thing that sets honeybees apart from others is the fact that they’ll return to the same nest several years in a roll. As a result, they store honey to guarantee they have enough food to make it through the winter months.
Honeybee Looks
Honeybees have fuzzy bodies with orange or yellow fur. Each honeybee has a stinger.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are rarely aggressive. You can approach their nest without getting stung. Still, it is a good idea to steer clear of them because anything can happen.
Carpenter Bee Nest
Carpenter bees do not build conventional nests. Instead, they drill 3/8” holes in wood surfaces. They can build nests in wood decks, fascia, and siding. They will not eat the wood they’ve removed. As for the cavity, it is used to care for its young.
Carpenter Bee Look
Carpenter bees and bumblebees share many similar characteristics, but there is one difference. The carpenter bee species found in Seattle tend to have a shiny abdomen. You can easily determine the bee’s gender by looking at its face. Males carpenter bees have a little yellow spot on their face.
Dangers Associated With Stinging Insects
Do you have to worry about stinging insects attacking you? Can they make you sick? Ultimately, the danger associated with the stinging insect depends on the species. Some stinging insects are very dangerous, but others are not. Although it depends on the species, you’ll also want to pay close attention to the size of the nest. A larger nest means that you have bigger problems to contend with. Stinging insects are more aggressive when their nests are larger. You’ll also have to be careful about stepping on ground nests.
Since they’re harder to see, you’ll be more likely to get stung when dealing with yellowjackets living in underground nests.
What Causes Stinging Insects In Seattle?
There is likely nothing you can do to keep stinging insects away from your Seattle home. If they find that your property has excellent nesting conditions, they’re coming for your property. They’ll find homes that have suitable nesting conditions.
Eradicating A Stinging Insect Infestation
Once you’ve found stinging insects on your property, you need to compile a plan to eradicate them. Unfortunately, finding a solution will not be easy. Yellowjackets and wasps are very dangerous, so you do not want to get stung. Some stinging insects can sting their victims multiple times. If you’re going to use over-the-counter solutions to tackle this problem, you need to be very cautious. Try treating the stinging insect’s nest at night because they’re less aggressive around this time. Alternatively, you can pick up the phone and call us. Our company is ready to help.
How Safe Is Your Stinging Insect Treatments?
We know that you’re worried about the safety of your loved ones. Well, you can rest assured knowing that our stinging insect treatments are safe and effective. We’ll do everything in our power to remove the stinging insects from your home without putting anyone in a dangerous situation. Our company uses high-quality EPA-registered products to keep our clients safe. When you work with us, you’ll be protected during each step of the process.
The Cost Of Stinging Insect Removal Services
How much will it cost to remove stinging insects from your property? Ultimately, the price will depend on several factors, including the following.
- The stinging insect species on your property
- How large is your home?
- How big is the nest?
- The nest’s location
When Can You Begin?
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our company will try to contact you back in 24 to 48 hours.
Preventing Stinging Insects From Overrunning Your Property
Unfortunately, there is little you can do to keep stinging insects away from your property. You need to go above and beyond to find the problem before it spirals out of control. If these stinging insects believe that your home has suitable nesting conditions, they’ll come, and they’ll build nests on your property. You can take advantage of our home service fee. By paying an affordable annual fee, you can receive a visit from us three times a year. If we find stinging insects on your property, we’ll treat the area, and the original fee will cover it.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
