Stinging Insects

Stinging insect is a classification utilized to categorize all species of insects that sting. While there is a broad range of these species, most stinging insects do not sting without being provoked. Animals and humans are at risk of becoming victimized by stinging insects. Whether the incident is a mishap or intentional, the stinging insect could care less. It views the human or animal as a threat, resulting in a painful sting that almost always leads to an allergic reaction.

Stinging Insect Species In Your Community

Everyone should be familiar with the species that make up the stinging insect classification. While it is impossible to memorize all these pests, you can remember the ones that habitat your neighborhood. Why is this info so important? It mainly has to do with you and your family members being at risk. Yes, stinging insects pose a risk to all members of your community. Even domesticated and wild animals can be victimized by stinging insects.

Paper Wasp “Northern And European Paper Wasp Species”

The paper wasp is black with yellow stripes and spots. The stinging insect species is moderately aggressive. Upon being provoked, the aggression level increases significantly. If the provoker does not back off, the paper wasp will be forced to attack.

The paper wasp nest is constructed from a paper-like material, derived from wood and other organic materials. The nests can be found hanging from eaves, deck railing, and fence posts.

As a magnificent flyer, the paper wasp has long elbow-shaped legs. The insect’s legs can be seen dangling from the body, just above the lower segment or what some people refer to as a joint. The stinger protrudes from the bottom of the abdomen.

Yellowjacket

The yellowjacket is a very common stinging insect, with a black segmented body, covered with yellow stripes. Unlike the paper wasp, the yellowjacket builds underground nests as well as above-ground nests. The primary similarity between the two stinging insect species’ nests is the construction, which is a paper-like material.

The yellowjacket is a highly aggressive stinging insect. In the peak season or when the nest reaches maximum capacity, the yellowjacket becomes even more aggressive.

Above-ground yellowjacket nests can be found hanging from shrubs and laying in dense grass or shrubs. Like the paper wasp, the yellowjacket stinger protrudes from the lower abdominal area.

Bald-Faced Hornet

The bald-faced hornet is another highly aggressive stinging insect species. Like the yellowjacket’s aggression, the bald-faced hornet’s aggression increases drastically as its nest reaches maximum capacity.

The nest is light gray to dark gray in color, which is linked to the organic material cellulose construction. Nests can be found hanging from tree branches, bushes, and roofing eaves. Differentiating the bald-face hornet nest from the yellowjacket and paper wasp nests is generally fairly easy, thanks to its teardrop shape.

Honeybee

The honeybee is one of the least aggressive stinging insect species. The stinging insect is highly known for its delicious, sweet honey, a delicatessen for bears and humans. Instead of utilizing organic materials for the construction of its nest, the honeybee utilizes beeswax. The material is utilized to create combs, where the insects store their honey. Honeybees build their hives in crevices between rock formations, cavities in exterior walls of buildings, and hollow trees. The combs are round, with a unique honeycomb design.

Honeybees have a significantly longer lifespan than most other stinging insect species. Workers live up to two months, while the queen can survive up to 4 years in controlled environments.

The body is a mixture of yellowish/orange and dark brown or black, covered with fine hair, giving off a fuzzy appearance.

Carpenter Bee

The male carpenter bee has a short lifespan, with the male dying soon after mating with the female. The female will go on to give birth and continue breeding with other males and laying eggs for up to 3 years in some cases.

The adult carpenter bee bores holes about 3/8” in wood structures, such as trees, deck posts, mailboxes, and siding. The newly bored holes are utilized to store the insect’s eggs until they reach maturity.

The head and abdomen are solid black, with a shiny texture. The thorax is black, with a layer of thick dark yellow hair. The forewings and hind wings are translucent with a tinge of dark brown coloration. The legs are black with spines (hairs).

Stinging Insect Aggression

Most stinging insects are aggressive, some species more than others. All stinging insect species pose some allergic reaction risks. Depending on the victim’s immune response, a bee sting could result in a mild to severe allergic reaction. Stinging insects can also be life-threatening to individuals with bee sting allergies. People with bee sting allergies may report anaphylaxis symptoms following a sting, regardless of the species.

The larger the colony, the more dangerous the stinging insect species. Fortunately, not all stinging insect species are social or build colonies. The carpenter bee is just one example. The solitary carpenter bee works, feeds, and fights off predatory critters alone or in pairs.

When there is a colony of stinging insects swarming a nest, anyone or any animal in close proximity is at risk. The entire yellowjacket and bald-faced hornet colonies will attack their predators. They will also attack innocent victims who just happen upon their nests, with no intentions of causing the colony harm.

Stinging Insect Infestation

Stinging insects build their nests in specific areas. For example, the carpenter bee prefers areas, where there are ample decaying trees and untreated lumber piles. It is important to have some idea of where these pests build their nests because your property could become a haven without a moment’s notice.

Stinging Insect Population Management

Some people will opt to go the DIY pest control route. While this may be an effective option for only a few stinging insects, it is not recommended for large colonies. These insects are extremely dangerous. Approaching a nest of bald-faced hornets or yellowjackets could be life-threatening.

We do not recommend do-it-yourself stinging insect treatments. We recommend our professional pest control that combines the extermination of the colony and removal of the nest.

Pesticide Safety

Conventional pesticide utilized to treat stinging insect infestation does contain chemicals. These environmentally unfriendly pest control products pose health and environmental risks. A safety strategy, combined with treatment can reduce or eliminate these risks.

Our pesticide safety protocol prohibits the use of chemical pest control products when clients and animals are present. We clear the area of humans and animals prior to each conventional stinging insect treatment.

Professional Stinging Insect Management Costs

As consumers, we understand an additional expense is worrisome. To protect our community members from absorbing expensive pest control expenses, we offer custom treatment strategies. We base each custom pest control treatment strategy on evidence collected through a thorough home inspection.

Our stinging insect management prices vary, depending on the following factors:

• Stinging insect species
• Property size and location
• The severity of the infestation (colony and nest sizes)
• Nest location

Stinging insect nests hanging from eaves and guttering on multi-story buildings are must more difficult to eradicate. We will need to bring in special equipment to access the nest and insects.

Schedule A Free Stinging Insect Inspection

Immediately upon the detection of stinging insects or stinging insect nests on your property warrants a professional inspection. Our customer support will work with you to schedule an appointment for the inspection within 24 and 48 hours.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.