Watch Out for Wasps

There are many types of insects you might encounter in the year. While many of these insects are beneficial, some can actually be dangerous. One insect that is dangerous is the wasp.

In truth, most wasps typically ignore people. When wasps do sting, they are usually trying to defend their colony. This is especially true of social wasps. These are wasps that live together in colonies. These colonies or nests are football-shaped and can be found above or below the ground.

Wasps can be found in these nests well into the fall, but they do not survive the winter. A new queen will mate and leave the nest during the fall. Only the fertilized queen will survive the winter and begin new colonies in the spring.

Wasps that are social and live in nests include the European hornet, bald-faced hornet and the yellow jacket. Any of these wasps can and will deliver a painful sting if threatened. If you encounter a nest of these wasps, proceed with extreme caution.

Other wasps are solitary in nature. These wasps usually burrow a solitary nest into the ground. The female wasp will deposit her eggs in the nest, stocking it with insects such as cicadas.

Others will fly low over the lawn in search of grubs. In most cases, these wasps are non-aggressive and will only sting if they are mishandled. Wasps that are solitary in nature include the cicada killer and velvet ant.

Eliminating wasp nests can be dangerous. Large numbers of angry wasps can lead to many painful stings. If control is necessary, aerosols or pressurized sprays are available that can provide quick knockdown.

Apply wasp sprays at night when the workers are in the nest. Prop up a flashlight to illuminate the nest. Then, from a different location, apply the spray. Any wasps that exit the nest during the treatment will be attracted to the light. Wear heavy clothing and a bee veil to prevent stings. After treating the next, remove it so that pupae within the nest cannot re-establish the colony.

Solitary bees are attracted to sandy soil with spare vegetation. A good fertilizer program and adequate water will discourage burrowing. If numbers become too high, burrowing areas can be treated with Diazinon or Sevin.

Source: Mark Hoard, Integrated Pest Management Educator

August 2002
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