Summer is right around the corner here in El Paso, and many people are ramping up to enjoy the warm weather outdoors. Unfortunately, with the summer months comes the influx of pest problems. One of the most common pests in the summer is wasps! Especially during the late summer months, certain wasp species can get especially aggressive. When nests are built near your home or business, they can be dangerous for everyone involved. At Pest Defense Solutions, we want to provide our customers with the info they need to know about common summertime wasps and how to prevent them. Keep reading to learn more!

Yellow Jackets

These wasps are notoriously aggressive and very common, especially in the late summer. Some things to know about yellow jackets include:

• Yellow jackets congregate in colonies of up to or more than 1,000 workers.
• Their nests look globe-shaped and are built above ground, often near garages, sheds, and more.
• Yellow jackets will not bother you unless they feel threatened, in which case they may sting repeatedly.
• Yellow jackets can be best identified by the yellow and black horizontal stripes that run across their bodies.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps aren’t as hostile as other wasps, but they are common this time of year. Here’s what to know about this summertime wasp:

• They are similar in body shape to yellow jackets, but are mostly brown in color with yellow markings.
• These wasps are known for the papery nests they build, which look like upside-down umbrellas.
• Paper wasp nests often hang from tree branches and twigs, as well as porch ceilings and door railings. They typically contain up to 30 wasps.
• Paper wasps aren’t as aggressive as yellow jackets, but they may sting to defend their nests. Their sting is known to be especially potent.

Mud Daubers

As their name implies, mud daubers are known for constructing their nests out of mud. Although they aren’t as aggressive as yellow jackets, it’s important to know how to identify them:

• They are mostly black in appearance but may have light-colored markings. Mud daubers can be identified by their thin, thread-like waist.
• Nests are usually located in covered areas such as porch ceilings, sheds, and attics.
• These wasps are less social than other types, often preferring to be solitary.
• Mud daubers aren’t as aggressive and will only sting when directly handled or threatened.

How to Stay Safe from Summertime Wasps

Bottom line: it’s important to avoid wasps when you see them. Some can be more aggressive than you realize, especially if their nest is nearby. To avoid getting stung, always be on the lookout for nests nearby. To keep wasps away from your property, make sure to cover foods and drinks that are outside and to seal your trash cans securely. If you need assistance with wasp prevention or removal, the team at Pest Defense Solutions is here to help.