Because of their large stingers and menacing appearance, few pests are more disconcerting to see around your property than wasps. And they’re not just menacing-looking either; wasps can produce painful stings that may prove to be fatal in certain situations.
You should do everything you can to keep wasp populations around your Aiken property to an absolute minimum. That means knowing how to identify and differentiate between the different species of wasps common to the area and knowing some effective wasp prevention techniques. The health of you and your family could depend on it.
Identifying Common Area Wasps
Wasp is a broad term for a group of stinging insects that includes over 12,000 species. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about all 12,000 here in Aiken. However, there are a couple of wasp species common to the area that you should be on the lookout for. These include yellow jackets and paper wasps.
Yellow Jackets have hairless, segmented bodies that grow to between three-eighths and five-eighths of an inch long, thin waists, and elongated wings that fold behind their bodies while at rest. They also have six legs, antennae, and smooth stingers and are a combination of black and yellow on both their heads and bodies.
Paper Wasps grow to about one-half to three-quarters of an inch long. They have brown segmented bodies that usually feature yellow markings. Additionally, they have wings, six legs, antennae, and stingers. Paper wasps derive their name from the paper-like material from which they build their nests.
If you notice either of these wasp species flying around or building nests on your property, contact the professionals at Aiken Pest Control right away.
The Dangers Of Wasps
The unfortunate truth about wasps is that they are quite beneficial to the environment. However, they can prove to be quite dangerous to people. Therefore, you do not want them to build their nests on your property.
Wasps possess stingers which they can use to inflict painful, welt-causing stings. Moreover, unlike bees, wasps are capable of stinging multiple times in a row. Their stings also expel venom, which can trigger allergic reactions in some at-risk individuals and can lead to death in some instances.
Given the potential harm done by wasp stings, you don’t want them anywhere near your property, even if they benefit the environment.
Methods For Wasps Prevention
When it comes to wasp prevention, your primary goal should be to reduce the factors that attract wasps to your property in the first place:
- Remove sources of food such as berries from your property.
- Remove hummingbird feeders.
- Install screens in your windows and exterior doors.
- Mend any tears in existing screens.
- Keep your lawn well-manicured.
- Trim back any overhanging vegetation from your house.
- Keep shrubs and other plants trimmed.
- Refrain from overplanting and overwatering.
- Store trash in tightly sealed trash containers.
- Pick up any trash or food and drinks outside.
- Fill ground holes where wasps might build their nests.
If you can accomplish these steps, you should be able to reduce your exposure to wasp infestations.
How To Eliminate Wasp Infestations
If you find yourself with a wasp infestation somewhere on your property, do not try to deal with it yourself as it opens you up to several risks. Instead, contact the professionals here at Aiken Pest Control to take care of the problem for you.
Here at Aiken Pest Control, we have the experience and expertise required to eliminate any wasp infestation effectively. We will also work with you to prevent any future infestations.
For the best in wasp control and prevention, give us a call today.