Your yard is an extension of your home. It is a place where you and your family can go to enjoy nature or get a breath of fresh air. Sometimes it is a gathering spot for friends to share a meal. No matter what it is, it should be safe, right? Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Sometimes dangerous pests move in. One dangerous pest that regularly intrudes on area yards is the yellow jacket. To help you understand yellow jackets and the threats they pose to Riverton homeowners, here are some things to consider.
How Likely Are Yellow Jackets To Sting
Out of all the wasps that live in our area, which do you think is most likely to sting? Most people don’t have to give this question a second thought and immediately say yellow jackets; this is only partly true. In general, yellow jackets are no more or less aggressive than other species. They will not go out of their way to sting someone and only attack when they feel threatened or trapped. Yellowjackets do, however, become more protective and are more likely to sting during the fall as their queens prepare for hibernation. It is wise to avoid these pests and keep a good distance away from their nests during this time. To request help with stinging insect problems in your home, contact our team of experts today!
Symptoms Of A Yellow Jacket Sting
There are two types of reactions to a yellow jacket sting. If you are not allergic to their venom, you will likely feel a sharp pain around the affected area that will gradually shift to a dull ache and an itchy sensation. If you are allergic to their venom, this reaction will be much worse and could also trigger anaphylactic shock, and the more stings an individual receives, the worse the reaction is likely to be.
Yellow Jacket Sting Pain Level
Science cannot yet identify how painful a wasp’s sting will be from its venom alone. However, there is a pain index created by a man named Dr. Shmidt. This index is based on Dr. Shmidt’s personal experiences of allowing himself to be stung by various venomous insects. For reference, fire ants are rated a 1.0, yellow jackets are 2.0, paper wasps fall in at 3.0, and bullet ants are a 4.0.
Some Strategies To Prevent Yellow Jackets
There are several reasons why a yellow jacket might build its nest on your property. In order to help you reduce your chances of finding these stinging insects in your yard, here are some prevention tips to try.
- Pick up fruits and berries that fall into your yard.
- Clean up thoroughly after hosting outdoor gatherings.
- Avoid feeding your pets outdoors or clean out their bowls after every meal.
- Fill in holes and burrows around your property.
- Have ground burrowing pests removed from your property.
- Install a fence around your yard and garden.
What To Do About A Yellow Jacket Nest On Your Property
The larger a yellow jacket nest becomes, the more of a threat these stinging insects pose to you and your family. To have a nest removed from your property safely, consider letting the trained pest experts at Tanner Pest Control have a look. Our team has the proper safety equipment and training to handle pests of all shapes and sizes and will be happy to put their experience to work for you.
Call us today if you have any unanswered questions about yellow jackets, and schedule your Riverton property for a service visit.