HORNETS, WASPS & YELLOW JACKETS
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Wasps and hornets appear as the temperatures get warmer. The types we most often encounter here in North Carolina include Yellow Jackets and Bald Faced Hornets, European Hornets, Mud-daubers, and Paper Wasps.
Mud-daubers are blue-black narrow-waisted wasps that build narrow earth-colored tubes (most often reddish-orange in our area) on protected sites such as garage or storage shed walls. These wasps are not aggressive and seldom sting. Other wasps, such as the Paper wasp, are "social" wasps and build large colonies. They will sting if they think their nest is threatened.
As with most "social" wasps, a Paper wasp colony's workers die off during the fall season. Only the queen survives the winter. She sleeps during the winter months tucked away in a protected area, such as the walls of your home, the attic or even in crawl spaces. As the temperatures slowly warm, the queen awakens and moves toward light. Unfortunately, this could be light in the home.
You might discover wasps near windows or on curtains, on the carpet or even on a wall. They are looking for a way to get outside. While this can sometimes catch you off guard, it should not be cause for alarm.
There's not a whole colony of wasps in waiting, so there's no need to launch a war with insecticide sprays. There might just be one wasp. Why spend money on insect spray and expose your family to an insecticide when it's not necessary? Just grab the fly swatter.
Queen wasps just waking up are not aggressive, though their workers later in the year might be. In addition, wasps are beneficial to us later in the season. They catch and feed on many harmful insects that damage our garden plants. back to the list
Yellowjacket nests reach peak populations in early fall before frost. The black and yellow-striped workers frantically search for proteins and carbohydrates to feed hungry larvae. Expect them to be a persistent annoyance during outdoor sports events and picnics. Workers are not defensive unless grasped or struck. Avoid getting close to any nest entrances in the landscape or in structures, as yellowjackets are quite defensive of the nest and can inflict serious stings. Yellowjackets persist in North Carolina into November.
If you need to clean gutters or work around the chimney, be on the lookout for wasp nests. Take extra precautions, such as wearing gloves and a long sleeve shirt, or ask a less-sensitive person to help. Remember, the emerging queen is not aggressively protecting an existing nest, so the chances of being stung by her are low. After a nest is built and the more aggressive workers emerge, the hornets become protective. This is one more reason to think about doing spring chores early! back to the list
If hornets build a nest in the middle of a heavy traffic area, such as by the sliding glass doors to your deck or in a shrub near the back steps, it needs to be eliminated. But if the nest is out of the way and poses few problems, it is better to leave them alone so they can destroy your garden pests.
Hornets see by light intensity, so the best time to apply any pesticide to a troublesome nest is at dusk, just before dark. That way you can see the nest, but the hornets will have trouble seeing you. Several pre-mixed commercial applications are packaged in cans that spray for 15 to 20 feet. Always read and follow all label directions on any pesticide container. Be sure to operate on the buddy system; have someone stand at a distance watching in case you need help.Commercial pest control companies will also come destroy the nest if you don't want to try it yourself. back to the list
Mark Blevins, Horticulture Agent
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