Keeping Wasps Away From Your Chesapeake Home

Have you noticed wasps or their nests on your property? If so, you’re probably concerned about these flying insects and their painful stings, and rightfully so. A wasp nest in your yard can make it risky to even step foot outdoors. Unfortunately, wasps are a common issue in Chesapeake, especially in the warmer months.

If you have wasps buzzing around your yard, you may need the assistance of a Chesapeake pest control professional. This guide can also help you to identify wasps, understand their dangers, and keep them away from your home.

What Do Wasps Look Like?

Wasps generally have long bodies with narrow waists and a pair of wings. They possess stingers on their hind ends, which release venom when they sting their prey. There are several different types of wasps in the Chesapeake area, including yellowjackets, paper wasps, and mud wasps.

Yellowjackets are yellow and black and have black antennae. Their bodies are shorter and thicker than those of paper wasps. They typically build their nests underground, unlike other species of wasp.

Some types of paper wasps look very similar to yellowjackets, but their bodies are more slender, and they have thinner waists. Paper wasps can also have red marking instead of yellow. Paper wasp nests are made from a paper-like material and look like a honeycomb or are umbrella-shaped. They are often found hanging from high places in your yard, such as tree branches or under eaves.

Mud wasps, or mud daubers, are usually black, sometimes with lighter markings or a metallic luster. They are considered “thread-waisted”, as they have a very narrow segment between their thorax and abdomen. Mud wasps build nests out of mud and are solitary insects.

How Dangerous Are Wasps?

Most types of wasps, including mud wasps and paper wasps, will only sting if they feel threatened. However, yellowjackets are notably more aggressive and will sometimes attack even when unprovoked.

Wasp stings are not usually a serious medical issue, except for those who are allergic to wasp venom. For most people, wasp stings are initially painful and will cause swelling and redness, but these symptoms typically subside after a few hours. Some people may have a large local reaction, which causes severe swelling over a large area of the body. For example, if your hand is stung, your entire arm may swell.

Severe allergic reactions can be potentially fatal and include symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, a racing pulse, hives, swelling of the face, throat, or lips, and even loss of consciousness. If you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms after being stung by a wasp, call for emergency medical attention right away.

Whether you are allergic or not, you should avoid wasps and their nests. Removing a wasp nest without protective gear can result in multiple and repeated stings. The best way to get rid of a wasp nest is to let a residential pest control professional do it for you.

Natural Wasp Prevention Tips

Wasps often choose Chesapeake yards to build their nests and can seem to come out of nowhere. It can be difficult to keep these flying insects from choosing your property for their new home, but there are ways to make your yard less attractive to wasps.

Try these wasp prevention tips to keep wasps away from your home:

• Keep food covered while eating outdoors.
• Make sure trash is stored securely and disposed of frequently.
• Avoid wearing perfume and scented hair and beauty products when outdoors, as strong fragrances can attract wasps.
• Check for wasp nests before pruning shrubs or trees.
• Keep windows and doors closed, and use screens on windows, to keep wasps from entering your home.
• Seal holes and crevices around the exterior of your home.

Implementing wasp prevention measures can help you to deter wasps and avoid being strung. If wasps do become an issue in your yard, contact a professional for wasp control in Chesapeake.

The Safest Form Of Wasp Control

Having wasps in your yard can put you at risk of being stung and make it difficult to enjoy the outdoors. If you notice wasps or their nests on your property, it is in your best interest to get rid of them as soon as possible. For quality wasp control in Chesapeake, look no further than Hawk Mosquito & Pest. Hawk Mosquito & Pest proudly serves the Chesapeake area with safe, effective, and affordable pest control solutions.

We know the best way to get rid of wasp nests, and our eco-friendly treatments will eliminate these pests from your property in no time. Our services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can count on us to leave your property wasp-free. Don’t let wasps get away with living on your property. Contact Hawk Mosquito & Pest for quality wasp control today.