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Home Pest Control for Stinging Insects

What you can do to control stinging insects.If your family is anything like mine, you’ve been looking forward to summer since, well, fall! School is out and kids are running free in your yard, riding bikes, kicking the ball around, and getting into their normal outdoor shenanigans. With summer weather finally here though, the bugs are out in full force. I’m of the mindset that no bugs are good, but my kiddo of course loves chasing ants around the pavement and poking at potato bugs. Where our opinions may differ here, there are some bugs that we both steer clear of, and that’s anything with a stinger! Here is some information about at home pest control for stinging insects.

To learn more about some of the common stinging insects we’re facing this summer, I turned to our friends at Wil-Kil Pest Control for some tips. Here’s what they had to share:

Why do I have stinging insects?

 There is no specific reason why you may spot stinging insects in your yard or near your home.  While they may be attracted to your flower or vegetable garden, these insects are opportunistic builders and have been known to create their nests in areas without any obvious attractants.

What are some common stinging insects?

 Hornets:

 Watch out! These pests pack a powerful sting!  Despite their name, bald-faced hornets are actually a type of wasp and are typically black with a white pattern on their face and white stripes on their thorax. It is important to be very careful around any type of stinging insect, especially bald-faced hornets, as they possess a lance-like stinger that allows them to repeatedly sting their victim. Their nests are pretty distinct; they have a grey, papery appearance and are in the shape of a big, bloated football. They are generally found in bushes and trees.

 Paper Wasps:

 Paper wasps are the most common wasps found in residential areas and are brown with yellow markings, bearing some resemblance to yellow jackets.  Known for nests made of paper-like material, these pests are relatively social and live in small colonies. Paper wasps typically hang their nests from branches of trees, porch ceilings, tops of windows or doorframes and even attic rafters. The nest hangs like an open umbrella and has open cells that can be seen beneath the nest. With a stinger similar to hornets, paper wasps have the ability to sting multiple times when threatened.

 Yellow Jackets:

Similarly to paper wasps, these stinging insects are black and yellow striped and are notoriously aggressive, often stinging repeatedly if they feel threatened. They build paper nests that can be several feet across in size and house up to 3,000 members.  Typically these nests are found in the ground, in trees and sometimes in protected structures in and around your home, including attics.

Prevention Tips:

  • Inspect the outside of your home for large populations of stinging insects and/or nests in trees or shrubs, underground and on the side of your home.
  • Use caution when playing outside or gardening. Always wear closed toe shoes and avoid bright colored clothing.
  • Avoid bringing sugary drinks and food outside whenever possible.
  • When you eat outside, don’t put food out until you are ready to eat.  Make sure leftovers are put away immediately and trash is thrown away.
  • Be sure that your home is properly sealed off including windows and door frames.  Repair or replace any holes, gaps or tears in window or door screens.
  • Avoid wearing scented perfumes and lotions.
  • When working outside, avoid wearing loose fitting clothing and always wear shoes, socks and other items to fully cover your body.
  • Do not try to get rid of these insects on your own!  Do-it-yourself methods and products from the local hardware store are often ineffective and if handled or applied incorrectly can be hazardous to your health.  Always call a pest management professional for home pest control of stinging insects in your yard.

 For more information on these, or any other pest infestations, please visit www.wil-kil.com.

 

Comments | 17 comments

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Comments

  1. Liz Mays says

    July 26, 2014 at 1:42 am

    This is why I don’t trim my own hedges. They’re just loaded with stinging insects!

    Reply
  2. Jennifer h says

    July 27, 2014 at 8:26 pm

    I hate bugs!! Glad we have a pest service.

    Reply
  3. maria closetohome says

    June 5, 2017 at 9:50 am

    I am the only one that will deal with bugs in my house. They don’t make me worry as much as snakes and mice!!

    Reply
  4. robin rue says

    June 5, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Bugs are the worst! I have plenty of bees and hornets around here and I would love for them all to just go away!

    Reply
  5. Joline says

    June 5, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    LOL I have been looking forward to summer for that long too. I am deathly afraid of stinging insects (well, all insects and bugs in general TBH!)…so thanks for all these tips especially about the perfume and lotion. I had no idea!

    Reply
  6. Kristen from The Road to Domestication says

    June 5, 2017 at 3:20 pm

    Ah, great info here! Now, do you know how to get rid of stinging nettles? (The weeds) We have those in abundance and need them gone!!!

    Reply
    • Maureen Fitzgerald says

      June 6, 2017 at 12:40 pm

      I haven’t had to deal with those yet – thank goodness! I’m still trying to find a way to control the creeping charlie we’ve got invading the lawn.

      Reply
  7. Marissa Hammers says

    June 5, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    Get info here! My son gets bit and he swells up like a blow fish. Its horrible.

    Reply
    • Maureen Fitzgerald says

      June 6, 2017 at 12:39 pm

      Definitely keep an eye on that – sounds like he is allergic.

      Reply
  8. Saidah Washington says

    June 5, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    We have those very stinignig insect set up shop in tiny crevices around our property. We get them treated yearly, but have thankfully never been stung.

    Reply
  9. Heather says

    June 5, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    A few years ago after we found about 5 black widows, we called pest control. Not messing with those guys!

    Reply
    • Maureen Fitzgerald says

      June 6, 2017 at 12:39 pm

      Spiders would freak me out completely!!

      Reply
  10. Tami says

    June 5, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    You’ll find me doing a crazy dance when I see any flying pests. I have not gotten them under control, so I am looking forward to giving this a try.

    Reply
  11. Tonya Wilhelm says

    June 5, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    I so hate insects. Stinging insects are the worst! Thanks for these tips, I will have to try some of them out.

    Reply
  12. Hey Sharonoox says

    June 5, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    Agree to leave pest control to professionals. Bees are scary, they stings.

    Reply
  13. Lisa says

    June 5, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    We’ve been noticing an increase in wasps recently so this is very helpful. Going to have my husband read it too and see what we can do to tackle our problem!

    Reply
  14. Marielle Altenor says

    June 7, 2017 at 2:05 am

    I would freak out if our home were overrun by insects. The only think I can tolerate the random spiders.

    Reply

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Maureen Fitzgerald of Wisconsin Mommy

Maureen Fitzgerald is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin influencer, brand enthusiast and strategist. She helps brands reach more potential customers through targeted consultation sessions, press coverage, product reviews and campaigns both at WisconsinMommy.com and by leveraging her blogger network. You can also see Maureen hamming it up on her YouTube channel at WisconsinMommy.tv. READ MORE...
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