I’ve been in the pest control industry for almost 19 years, and I can say with confidence that there are some pests the average homeowner can deal with on their own – certain ants, flies, ladybugs, etc. Depending on your tolerance level, these are just nuisance pests and don’t pose a major threat to anything or anyone so long as you maintain a certain level of housekeeping.
Stinging insects likes bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are in a whole different category. Many people make the mistake of thinking they can buy some bug spray at the hardware store, spray it into the nest and be done with the problem. Not only is this ineffective, it is also highly dangerous – particularly for individuals who are allergic to stings. Someone who is not trained to deal with these stinging pests runs a high likelihood of releasing a swarm of very aggravated bugs, all of whom are anxious for revenge.
In almost all cases, you should call in the professionals when dealing with bees, wasps, hornets and the like. But before you call, it’s important to know what kind of stinging insect you are dealing with:
- Yellow jacket nests are made of a paper-like material. They are usually constructed underground, but can sometimes be found on exterior walls or woodpiles.
- Honeybees and bumblebees are usually non-aggressive. Generally, they will sting only when provoked. Wild honeybees live in colonies or “honeycombs” in hollow trees or cavities of buildings. We will often find a beekeeper to remove the hive.
- Wasps’ nests are also made of a paper-like material shaped in a circular comb of cells that open downward. Nests are often located under eaves, behind shutters, or in shrubs or woodpiles.
- Hornets are usually larger with gray or brown nests that are football-shaped and made of a paper material similar to that of yellow jackets’ nests. The hornet usually builds nests high above ground in trees, shrubbery, along rooftops or in tree hollows.
For your own safety, don’t mess with these pests. Let the professionals do it.
Don't Mess With Stinging Insects is a post from: deBugged - The Rentokil Blog
