What are crickets?
People tend to have a love/hate relationship with stinging insects. We love them when they live away from us and hate them when they take over our property! There is no question that stinging insects are environmentally important.
Wasps, mud daubers, yellow jackets, and hornets are all predatory species, feeding on and controlling populations of nuisance and dangerous insects. They are also responsible for some pollination. However, there is also no question that people need to take care around these pests to avoid stings. Stinging insects have venom-filled stingers they use to defend themselves or to paralyze prey. There are many types of stinging insects living out in nature.
In our area, the following cause the most problems for property owners if they choose their yards or outdoor spaces to nest:
- Wasps
- Mud daubers
- Yellow jackets
- Hornets
Are stinging insects dangerous?
Keeping stinging insects at bay is important, so you and your family can enjoy your outdoor space to its fullest. When stinging insects build a nest in a high traffic area of a yard, on a home, or in a home, they become a danger to you and your family. The closer the contact you have with stinging insects and their nests, the more likely a sting will occur.
Not only are stings from wasps, mud daubers, yellow jackets, and hornets painful, but they can trigger serious and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions. The venom stinging insects have is strong enough to affect the health of people.
Why do I have a stinging insect problem?
Stinging insects become active in the early spring, foraging for food, breeding, and expanding the colony throughout the summer. In the late summer and early fall, stinging insect colonies have grown to their largest size; this is the time of year is when these pests become most problematic for homeowners.
There are large numbers of stinging insects frantically foraging for the last bites of available food during the late summer and early fall. Hungry and agitated, stinging insects won’t hesitate to sting a perceived threat. Common places where stinging insects forage for food include gardens, trash cans, recycling bins, and from our plates and drinks in outdoor eating areas.
Where will I find stinging insects?
Stinging insects build nests in secluded areas, which helps to protect them from bad weather and predators. Stinging insects will choose any property to nest that offers them shelter and is close to food sources.
Stinging insects will build a nest either on the ground or above the ground. Ground nesters like to place nests in naturally occurring ground holes or the abandoned nests of small animals. They also build nests under dense vegetation, woodpiles, or rock piles. Those stinging insects that build nests aerially (up off the ground) usually do so in trees, on utility poles, under roof eaves, in doorways, and behind shingles and shutters.
Sometimes stinging insects will find an opening in a home, outbuilding, or other man-made structure and decide to build an indoor nest. Roof rafters, attics, chimneys, and wall voids often make ideal indoor nesting sites for stinging insects.
How do I get rid of stinging insects?
At Malang Pest Control, we are deeply committed to protecting people and property from pests. Our professionals perform reliable, targeted pest control services to meet your California property’s unique needs and pest problems. Through the use of botanical or organic products, integrated pest management, and effective solutions, we eliminate stinging insects from your home or business.
If stinging insects have become a problem on your property, call Malang Pest Control today and learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.
How can I prevent stinging insects in the future?
Prevent stinging insects in the future by partnering with Malang Pest Control, and putting into place the following prevention tips:
- Trim back shrubbery and tree branches from your home’s exterior walls to help prevent stinging insects from building a nest right next to your home.
- Remove things like fallen trees, trees stumps, and other debris that stinging insects could use as a nesting site.
- After eating outside, clean up and remove leftover food and drinks.
- Keep trash cans and recycling bins covered to stop stinging insects and their prey from foraging for food in them.
- Remove areas of standing water from your property that stinging insects and other pests could take advantage of.
- Wearing shoes when walking in grassy areas is a good idea to help prevent accidental stings.
- Place screens in open windows and doors to keep stinging insects out of your home.
- Seal spaces in exterior walls, holes along the roofline, and cover vents leading into your house.