It is easy to look at any striped insect with a stinger and call it a wasp, but it is important to know the difference between species. Each one has its own distinct appearance and abilities that determine which treatments will be most effective against them. In Columbia, there are two main stinging pests:

Yellow jackets have more yellow on their legs and abdomens than other wasps, but still have the classic black-and-yellow striped pattern. Their wings are the length of their bodies and give them the ability to speed around their nest, searching for food sources that contain plenty of protein and sugar. Yellow jackets are also called “meat bees” due to their tendency to hover above meats and trash cans. They are aggressive and keep their nests in the ground, rather than up high like other wasp species.

Wasps are a generally agitated species, especially if they think their nest is in danger. This group has elongated waists, skinny bodies, and long wings. Social wasps are the most common invaders of our homes and yards, as solitary wasps like to stay tucked away in between hunting for food. Predatory wasps hunt insect prey that they bring back to their hive for the young wasps, while parasitic wasps horrifyingly lay their eggs inside small critters. Most wasps like to keep their nests elevated, like in a tree or under the eaves. 

It is tempting to try and remove stinging pests on your own, but this could be dangerous if the attempt fails. All stinging pests are territorial and will attack anyone who moves their nests. The safest way to solve your stinging pest problems is to receive professional pest control services. At Pointe Pest Control, our seasoned technicians are prepared to handle stinging pest invasions of all kinds. We will eliminate the current pests and prevent future ones from invading, thanks to our environmentally-friendly treatments. Give us a call at (618) 418-3910 to learn more about our efficient stinging pest control services today!