Of all the summertime pests in Sacramento, stinging insects like yellow jackets are probably the most terrifying. Yellow jackets are unpredictable at best, violently protective of their nests at worst, and an infestation on your Sacramento property will spell disaster for any kind of outdoor get-together. However, with how dangerous these insects can be, a crashed barbecue should be the least of your worries if they decide to nest on your lawn.
The Big Buzz About Yellow Jackets In Sacramento
Yellow jackets are the most iconic species within the wasp family, sporting their striking black and yellow stripes all across cinema. They grow to roughly ½ to ¾ of an inch in length and have narrow, well-defined waists. The only misleading piece about these stinging insects in cinema is their nesting habits; unlike the gigantic aerial nests we always see on TV, these wasps actually prefer nesting underground, in hollowed out trees and fallen logs, or even within wall cavities.
Housing accommodations, along with these other amenities, can make your Sacramento property look like the promised land to yellow jackets:
Sugary sweets
Open soda cans
Cooked or raw meat
Garden pests
Flowering plants
Fruit trees and bushes
Ample amounts of shade
Excessive moisture around your property
Not all wasps live within colonies. Some of the most commonly seen stinging insects like mud daubers are actually solitary dwellers. This is not the case with yellow jackets, though. Yellow jackets are some of the most aggressive wasps in the United States as they're fiercely protective of their hives, and unlike bees, they can sting multiple times. Now, one sting inflicted on an allergic individual is enough to require immediate medical attention, but even without an allergy, an entire colony's worth of stings from angry yellow jackets is enough to send anyone to a hospital.
How To Prevent A Yellow Jacket Infestation On Your Sacramento Property
Outdoor pests are particularly difficult to control, but there are still ways you can make your Sacramento property less appealing to unwanted winged guests and tenants. This list of yellow jacket prevention tips is not completely fail-proof, but it's always better safe than sorry:
Install tight-fitting lids to all outdoor trash cans.
Never leave any food, drinks, or empty containers sitting outside.
Try not to overwater your garden.
Make sure your lawn is draining properly by aerating the soil.
Don't add too many flowering plants to your garden, and consider adding wasp deterring plants; geranium, wormwood, rosemary, pennyroyal, lemongrass, citronella, chamomile, marigolds, and sage.
Clean up outdoor eating and food prep areas immediately after eating.
Remove any wood, mulch, and debris piles from your property.
Address any other pest issues you may be having on your property.
Fill in any ground holes and old rodent's nests.
Why You Shouldn't Try To Handle A Yellow Jacket Infestation On Your Own
Yellow jackets, along with other wasps and stinging insects, are incredibly dangerous to have around your Sacramento home and property. Trying to get rid of them on your own wouldn't just be frustrating, it would be life-threatening. Store-bought wasp sprays are single-stream contact killers, so while you may be able to take down a few of them, that still leaves an entire hoard of angry stingers headed in your direction. Don't put yourself at risk; let the professionals handle it instead.
HomeShield Pest Control has been dedicated to alleviating the public's pest woes for over a decade. Our pest technicians stay fully equipped with the highest quality equipment available, and because of our dedication to the health and safety of our customers, we only use the best eco-friendly products on the market. We want you to feel safe in your own backyard, without harming the natural delicate ecosystem that makes it so beautiful. Give us a call today to start discussing your options for home pest control services and commercial pest extermination services in Sacramento and the surrounding region.