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Identification.

Wasps are 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch long. They are brown wasps with orange or yellow markings and long legs that hang down as they fly about. Most wasps have a narrow, pinched waist and a spindle-shaped abdomen with a stinger.

Paper wasp nests are open, resembling an inverted umbrella. The nests face downward and, unlike the nests of yellow jackets and hornets, are not enclosed in a paper envelope.

Wasps are active from early spring to late summer. Unlike yellow jackets and honeybees there is no worker caste. Each Female wasp is potentially a queen. The one female wasp that becomes dominant assumes the role of queen and is cared for by the others. The subordinate wasps also search for food and care for the wasp larvae. Paper wasp colonies are small, usually fewer than 200 wasps per nest.

In most cases, colonies endure only for a single season; most of the colony members die with the onset of winter. The colony will produce what is called over wintering queens which mate and take refuge in protected places, including attics and chimneys, during the winter months. In the spring these queens find a suitable site and begin building new nests.

Damage they cause.

Wasps typically do not cause physical damage to structures. Wasps become a problem only when they threaten to sting humans. Damage may be emotional stress from fear of these stings. Hundreds of people in the United States die each year from allergic reactions to the venom of these insects.

Wasp control & wasp removal in Atlanta, Georgia

Commercial wasp and hornet aerosols are available to the public for treating wasp nests. These aerosols must be applied directly to the nest, not to individual wasps. These aerosols are excellent for treating nests that are easily accessible. Many of these contain pyrethroids. In addition, some contain a “freezing” agent that stuns the wasps to prevent them from flying and stinging. Be very careful if you decide to use one of these and be certain to follow the directions.

As for a nest in a hard to reach location, these aerosols are not always the best solution to the problem. If a wasp nest is three stories high and requires the use of a ladder, you may want to contact a professional bee removal company, such as Urban Wildlife Control, to handle the wasp removal. Another common problem for greater Atlanta residence is wasps entering the living space via the chimney, attic, etc.

If you have a problem with wasps and the nest location is not known or inaccessible with standard aerosols, using a professional bee removal company may be your only option. Don’t let your wallet get stung by the competition, contact Urban Wildlife Control today!

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