Wasps and hornets are aggressive stinging insects. If they build nests on your property, you and your family are at risk for painful stings. While they don't attack unless provoked, they quickly become angry if they sense danger around their colony or run low on food. 

It's important to remove these insects from your property at the first signs of an infestation. This informative guide contains key facts about wasps and hornets and why EcoGuard Pest Control is a trusted source of wasp pest control for the Greater Chicago area.

How To Identify Hornets And Wasps In Your Yard

There are several different types of wasps commonly found throughout the United States. Here is a list along with their identifying characteristics:

  • Mud daubers: These insects are black and yellow with a very slender waist, roughly 1/2 to 1 inch long. Their nests are small, made of mud, and commonly found in covered locations.
  • Yellow Jackets: These aggressive insects are between 3/8 and 5/8 of an inch long, yellow and black in color, and have a smooth body. They build their nests in the ground, in trees, or under eaves in attics. Their nests look like layers of honeycombs.
  • Paper wasps: These wasps are yellow and black with a small waist and bright orange antennae. Paper wasp nests look like upside-down umbrellas. They are commonly found hanging from branches and the ceilings of decks and porches.
  • European Hornets: These insects look similar to yellow jackets but are much larger (between 1 and 1 1/2 inches long). If they build their nests in a sheltered area, they won't cover them, but they will have a paper-like exterior if they are out in the open.
  • Bald-faced Hornets: These hornets are known to be aggressive and will defend their colony at all costs. They have smooth black and white bodies. A bald-faced hornet nest also has a paper-like appearance and is usually at least three feet from the ground.

Correct wasp identification allows you to let an exterminator know which type of insect has invaded your property. If you see these bugs on your property, chances are there's a nest somewhere close by. 

Why Wasps In Your Yard Can Be So Problematic

Wasps are stinging insects and are known to be more aggressive than bees. Their food supply decreases significantly in the fall, causing them to look for new sources frantically. If they become agitated near humans or animals, they may attack. Unlike bees, wasps can sting more than once. They also signal to others in their colony if they sense danger, which could lead to a swarm of angry, stinging insects. 

Some individuals are more sensitive to wasp and hornet stings than others and could experience a severe allergic reaction. If these pests have built a nest on your property, it's essential to call an exterminator experienced in wasp removal right away. 

Naturally Effective Wasp Prevention Tips For Around Your Yard

While getting rid of wasps and hornets can be difficult, there are several ways to prevent them from invading your home in the first place. Try implementing these simple wasp prevention tips:

  • Seal your garbage cans.
  • Cover compost piles.
  • Remove wasp food sources, including bird food or any plants that grow fruit or berries.
  • Cover holes in the ground.
  • Keep windows and doors shut.
  • Repair broken screens.

Never try to remove a wasp nest on your own. To avoid dangerous stings, you should schedule services from a trusted wasp exterminator in Greater Chicago, like EcoGuard Pest Control.

The Safest Way To Handle A Wasp Or Hornet Problem Around Your Home

The best method of wasp control in the Greater Chicago area is professional services, like those from EcoGuard Pest Control. We years of experience dealing with these troublesome insects and will remove them safely from your property. Our treatment solutions ensure that wasps and hornets stay away from your home for good. Call us today to schedule an appointment.