What are stinging insects?
As their name suggests, stinging insects are pests that have a stinger they use to hunt and as a way to defend themselves. Stinging insects that live outside and away from people are beneficial, preying on and helping to control populations of nuisance insects.
Many stinging insects also help to pollinate flowers, trees, and other plants. It is only when these pests decide to live in our yards or homes that they are unwanted. Examples of stinging insects include bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets.
Are stinging insects dangerous?
Stinging insects can be dangerous, especially when they decide to nest in a high traffic area of our yard or in our homes. Avoiding contact with stinging insects is important because they can deliver painful stings that leave behind large welts, which may last hours or days. The venom that they inject can trigger allergic reactions and, in those severely allergic, can cause anaphylaxis.
If you have problems with stinging insects on your property, it is best to contact a professional. Professionals will be able to quickly and safely remove their nests from your property.
Why do I have a stinging insect problem?
Stinging insects will take advantage of any yard or outdoor space that offers them places to nest and are close to food sources. Stinging insects feed on a variety of things, including proteins, sweets, other insects, and honeydew produced by garden aphids.
Properties with trees, dense vegetation, gardens, and outdoor eating areas are desirable to stinging insects. Some species like yellow jackets also forage for food in trash cans, recycling bins, and compost piles.
Where will I find stinging insects?
Stinging insects nest either above the ground, on the ground, or below the ground. Tree branches, utility poles, tree cavities, doorways, and under roof eaves and decks are all places stinging insect nest. Those that nest in or on the ground do so in woodpiles, tree stumps, under fallen trees, or in the abandoned ground nests of small animals.
Sometime stinging insects will take advantage of openings in a home to build an indoor nest. Inside, they place their nests in chimneys, attics, crawl spaces, and behind wall voids.
How do I get rid of stinging insects?
Let the professionals at Old School Pest Control get rid of stinging insects from your New York property. We put our customers first and will take the time to get to the root of your pest problem. Our pest solutions work to eliminate existing pests and will protect your New York property from pests in the future.
We are a local company and have a good understanding of the pest pressures that home and business owners face each day in and around Saratoga County. If you are ready to learn more about protecting your New York residential or commercial property from stinging insects, reach out to Old School Pest Control today!
How can I prevent stinging insects in the future?
In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, prevent problems with stinging insects by implementing the following prevention tips:
- Don’t overplant flowering vegetation on your property.
- Remove fallen trees, logs, and tree stumps from your yard.
- Fill any ground holes around your property.
- Remove unnecessary wood and piles of debris from your property.
- Place tight-fitting lids on all garbage cans and recycling bins.
- Maintain compost areas.
- Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris.
- Caulk any openings in your home’s exterior walls and roofline.
- Repair any loose or broken screens.
- Place tight-fitting caps on chimneys.