Summer means it’s wasp season in Spokane Valley. While wasps look menacing, most aren’t aggressive unless provoked, though some species are territorial.
That’s why we at JC's Pest Control recommend reaching out to our Spokane Valley pest control professionals when it comes to removing wasp nests or a wasp infestation. Below, we’ll take a look at a few tips for identifying wasps common to the area, potential health risks, and prevention methods.
Wasp Identification Tips: Key Markers To Help You Identify Wasps
Hornets, wasps, and bees: some of these insects can be the same thing, but some are different. Hornets are a type of wasp, but not all wasps are hornets. It also gets confusing because some bees and wasps can be mistaken for each other due to both having yellow and black markings. However, wasps have narrow waists.
Here are four kinds of wasps you can find in Spokane Valley:
- Bald-faced hornets: The bald-faced hornet has a mostly white face and is otherwise completely black. It appears in late summer and lives in a moderately-sized colony of a few hundred bees. These hornets never reuse the same hive.
- Mud daubers: The mud dauber wasp is a solitary wasp that builds its nest out of mud. Open pipe and black-and-yellow mud daubers are common in the area and often build their nests under porch ceilings and eaves.
- Paper wasps: The paper wasp is similar to a yellow jacket in appearance but is more brown. They’re also known as “umbrella wasps” because of the similarity in shape their nests have to an umbrella. Their nests are often built in yards, hanging from a porch, deck floor joist, or tree.
- Yellow jackets: A yellow jacket is a black and yellow wasp often confused as being a bee. These wasps are very social and live in large colonies. Most species build their nest above ground in trees, on the eaves of buildings, or in abandoned cars. Some species build their nests underground.
These are the most common types of wasps you’ll find in Spokane Valley. It’s easy to identify them by their coloring, habits, and habitat.
Health Risks Of Wasp Infestations: Allergies And Other Concerns
The most serious health risk you face from a wasp infestation is a potential allergic reaction to stings. For many people, a single sting will only cause discomfort or some pain and swelling. This type of sting can be treated at home. A serious allergic reaction, however, calls for immediate medical attention.
You’re more likely to react badly to a sting if you’ve been stung in the nose, mouth, or throat area or if you’ve been stung multiple times all over your body. Immediately see a doctor if the swelling continues and you experience nausea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, or trouble breathing.
Many wasp species keep to themselves unless they are provoked or their nest is threatened. Then, they will sting. However, bald-faced hornets are extremely territorial and will attack anyone or anything invading their territory. They repeatedly sting, like yellow jackets, but the swelling from stings should only last about 24 hours unless you’re allergic.
Effective Wasp-Proofing: Practical Tips To Prevent Wasp Infestations
Nervous about wasp season? Making adjustments to your home and habits is the best way to wasp-proof for the summer:
- Expand your garden: Wasps don’t like certain aromatic plants like eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass. They also avoid marigolds.
- Cover your food: Wasps aren’t shy at public events or backyard parties about seeking out sugar and protein.
- Make sure trash cans have tight-fitting lids: Wasps are drawn to the smell of scraps in outdoor bins.
- Remove water sources: If you have a water source that is attracting too many wasps, it may be time to move the water source or consider a new landscaping option.
Try these natural ways of keeping your property safe from wasps. If you spot a nest, we don’t recommend taking it down on your own. The best way to get rid of a wasp nest is to assume it’s occupied and call Spokane Valley stinging insect control experts.
Safe and Effective Wasp Removal: Contact Us Right Away!
Prevention is a more effective approach to dissuading wasps from calling your property home than an aggressive approach, which might trigger a wasp to sting. If you spot a wasp nest, contact us immediately for safe and effective wasp removal. We will provide a free estimate and plan of action to quickly remove wasps for good.