Pest Expert Overview: Yellowjackets in Bryan & College Station
The yellowjacket species we find mostly in Texas, Vespula squamosa and V. maculifrons, are similar in appearance to honey bees and are often called ground hornets because nests are commonly found in the ground. They can also nest in hollow trees and wall voids. Adult workers are about ½ in length. The bodies are black with yellow markings. The queen is much larger and mostly orange in color.
Life Cycle
Yellowjacket colonies are started in the spring by a mated queen. She begins the construction of the nest, lays eggs, and cares for the brood until enough workers emerge to take over brood care, usually about 20 to 50 workers. Workers are all non-reproductive females. Colonies can grow to as large as 4,000 individuals. In the fall, colonies begin to produce males and additional queens. The males and queens leave the colony to mate. Mated females seek sheltered areas to overwinter. In the warmer parts of Texas, colonies may survive several years.
Yellowjackets are predators and scavengers. They feed on insects and will also scavenge from trash cans or decaying animal carcasses. Yellowjackets do not make honey like honey bees do.
Why are they Pests?
As predators and scavengers, Yellowjackets are beneficial in nature. However, their aggressive nest defense and stings make them a real problem if a nest is on your property. The stings are quite painful and cause localized swelling. Since they are so aggressive and can sting multiple times, victims of their aggression usually get more than one sting. The sting is not life threatening unless it causes an allergic reaction with anaphylactic shock.
Professional Yellowjacket Control
If you are dealing with an infestation of yellowjackets, Venus Pest Company can help. Founded by Aggie Entomologist Dr. Scott Lingren, we provide expert, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management solutions in Bryan and College Station. To get started, fill out the contact form, call/text 979.774.0486 or email [email protected]. Don’t let nuisance pests take over your home!
