Stinging pests may seem identical upon first glance, but it is important to recognize the differences between the common species. Some are more territorial than others, which means they are more likely to deploy some painful stings if you get anywhere close to their home. Two species that are common to Belleville fit this description exactly, and can be a real problem if they invade your yard:

Paper wasps are the most common around houses and buildings because they need sturdy, elevated items to hang their umbrella-shaped nests from. Their name comes from the papery material that comprises the nests, which is a combination of chewed wood and wasp saliva. The most common coloring is the popular black-and-yellow striped pattern, along with red-tinted antennae and legs. Paper wasps hunt smaller insects to feed to their larvae, while the adults eat nectar and honeydew from aphids. The nests are not reused the next year, so each queen has to overwinter in a secure place in order to start her new colony the next year. These are the large wasps you may see crawling on the ground in the winter. 

Yellowjackets also have black and yellow stripes, but their name comes from the large blocks of yellow on their abdomens. These wasps build out their papery nests at ground level, and will even keep it slightly underground if they have the opportunity. Yellowjackets are extremely aggressive in every season, but they are seen most often in late summer. This is when they need to scavenge for food the most since they feed on nectar the rest of the year. Uncovered trash cans and opened food containers are often the targets because the pests seek out sweets and proteins. Yellowjackets seem to dart around quicker than other wasps because they have body-length wings, which means they can stealthily attack any intruders of their nest.

Considering the fact that stinging pests are all aggressive when their nest is disturbed, we strongly recommend never trying to remove the nest yourself. Instead, trust the trained technicians at Pointe Pest Control! We are experienced in treating all kinds of stinging pest problems, and our team is dedicated to safely ending each infestation. Give us a call to schedule your first service with our Belleville team and to see the Pointe difference in pest control today!