Yellow Jackets

Biology

Yellow jackets live throughout North America. They are social insects and live in colonies. The adults are classified by workers which are sterile females, queens, and males which come from unfertilized eggs and appear in late summer.

Typically, only inseminated queens overwinter. In the spring, she uses chewed-up material to build up a paper carton nest of a few cells which will eventually consist of 30 to 55 cells covered by a paper envelope. One egg is laid in each cell and the queen feeds the developing larvae protein material and nectar. After about a month, the first 5 to 7 workers emerge and take over all the work except egg laying. The nest will eventually consist of a number of rounded paper combs which are open and attached one below another. The average nest size has 2,000 to 6,000 cells, and contains 1,000 to 4,000 workers. Later in the season, larger reproductive cells are built. The new queens and males leave the nest and mate. Only the inseminated queens hibernate and survive the winter. The original queen, the workers, and the males all die.

Feeding Preferences

Yellow jackets feed on insects such as caterpillars, and nectar.

Transmitted Diseases

Yellow jackets do not transmit human diseases.

Habits

Depending on the species, the overwintered queen will usually select either a underground or high nesting site. Most of the pest species are ground nesting. Those nesting in the ground typically select an area that is cleared out. There are nest entrance guards to protects the colony. Yellow jackets are very slow to sting unless the nest entrance is approached or disturbed, then they will become aggressive and attack. Each yellow jacket can sting multiple times. Some people become hypersensitive to their stings and future stings can become life threatening.

Overwintering queens may enter the houses or buildings during the winter seeking warmth, or in the spring when they are looking for a nest site.

Expert Pest Program

Expert Pest Management will perform a thorough treatment of your structure by a trained professional. We will locate all problem areas and properly identify the pest you are having. All programs are specially designed to target the pest that is infesting your structure.