One of the common misconceptions of stinging insects is that they all act the same. This leads people to assume that all of these pests can be eliminated in the exact same way. By taking a closer look at the 3 common O’Fallon species, it is easy to see how different these stinging pests can be:

Wasps are perhaps the most common stinging pests of them all. They have slender bodies, mostly hairless abdomens, and pinched waists. The popular species have black and yellow stripes, but some are dark-colored and metallic. Social wasps are more common around homes and gardens, while solitary wasps can be found in fields and near wood. Most of the social varieties like to hang their nests from a tall object for maximum protection. If that nest happens to hang over a door frame or window, the wasps are likely to become quickly agitated and attack anyone who is nearby when the nest is inevitably jostled. 

Bald-faced hornets get their name from the contrast between their light-colored faces and dark-colored bodies. They are a flying contradiction, as bald-faced hornets are technically wasps that have the fuzzy bodies of bees and the aggressive nature of hornets. Nevertheless, they also hang their nest from an elevated position, and it often takes on the shape of an elongated basketball. Bald-faced hornets are omnivores that eat smaller pests found near their nests, and are one of the larger stinging pests with a length of about ¾ of an inch. These pests will deliver multiple painful stings to anyone who dares to get too close to their nest, so they are definitely a species to stay away from. 

Yellow jackets are also known as “meat bees” due to their tendency to hover above meat and protein-packed foods, but they are still technically wasps. These insects have noticeable blocks of yellow on their legs and abdomens, along with wings that are the length of their bodies. In addition to meat, yellow jackets also enjoy sugary substances and dry pet food. You may have noticed a yellow jacket or two hovering above your dog’s food bowl in the summer, and this protein-preference is exactly why. Yellow jackets interestingly prefer to nest underground, but they are still defensive of their home.

Pointe Pest Control has solutions for all stinging pest species. We value the safety of you and your family above all, and we take extra care to ensure that every last insect is eliminated before we consider the problem to be solved. For efficient nest removal and effective stinging pest treatments, contact our O’Fallon team today!