Finding wasps or wasp nests in your yard can leave you wondering if spending time outdoors is safe. These insects sting and can risk your family’s safety if the wasps feel threatened. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep wasps from taking over your property, and the trusted experts in wasp control in Austinare here to help.
Let’s take a look at the types of wasps you may encounter and what you can do to protect your home.
Common Wasp Species: A Guide To Recognizing The Enemy
Though many people refer to wasps as a single type of insect, we actually have many different kinds of wasps in Austin. The key to creating an effective wasp control strategy around your home lies in identifying the types of wasps you have in your yard. These are some of the more common species to watch for:
- Bald-faced hornets are black with white markings and have a white-patterned face. They grow between 1/2 and 5/8 of an inch long, and, despite their name, they’re considered true wasps, not hornets. These wasps build paper nests off of overhangs, in trees, and from shrub branches.
- Paper wasps grow between 5/8 and 3/4 of an inch in length and are typically brown with yellow markings, though some may have reddish markings. They have a very thin visible waist and long legs, giving them a unique shape. Most paper wasps are social and live in communal nests.
- Mud daubers grow between 1/2 and 1 inch long and are usually black. They build mud nests and are solitary insects, avoiding other wasps when possible.
- Yellow jackets have a distinct yellow and black coloration and distinctly segmented bodies with small waists. They grow between 3/8 and 5/8 of an inch long and are social insects. They build both underground and aerial paper nests.
These are just a few of the more common types of wasps in the Austin area. If you’re not sure which type you have on your property, contact your pest control specialist as soon as possible. They’ll be able to identify the species quickly.
Health Risks Of Wasp Infestations: Allergies And Other Concerns
Wasps are not known to carry diseases or pathogens like other common household pests, but that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. These insects can sting when provoked, or they feel threatened, and those stings hurt.
For most people, a sting will result in red, swollen skin at the site of the injury with pain that can last for several days. However, if you’re allergic to wasp venom or sensitive to it, you may experience an allergic response. The severity of the reaction can vary depending on how sensitive you are, but it may require prompt medical attention if the reaction is severe. If you know you’re allergic and experience a wasp sting, don’t wait; get medical treatment immediately.
Staying on top of routine wasp pest control efforts is important. With the proper mitigation efforts in place, you’ll be better able to protect yourself and your loved ones from potentially dangerous stings.
Preventing Wasp Nests: Strategies For Outdoor Nest Deterrence
Though the best way to deal with an active wasp problem is to work with an experienced pest control specialist, there are still things you can do to make your property less hospitable to these unwanted insects. Here are a few proven wasp prevention tips to help you keep wasps from building nests around your home and in your yard.
- Seal cracks and crevices around your house when you find them so wasps can’t slip inside easily.
- Fix tears in screens and keep doors closed whenever possible.
- Cover your food when you’re eating outside.
- Avoid wearing scented products like perfumes and body sprays which might attract wasps.
- Schedule routine pest control treatments to deal with active wasp nests as soon as you see them.
By practicing these helpful tips, you can reduce your risk of wasp stings.
Safe And Effective Wasp Removal: Contact Us Right Away!
If you’ve noticed a wasp problem on your property, don’t try to deal with it on your own. Doing so increases your chances of getting stung. Instead, contact Aries Pest Control to schedule an inspection. Our experienced wasp removal technicians can safely remove existing nests and help you mitigate your risk of new wasps building nests in the future.