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Yellow jacket against a white background - Keep yellowjackets away from your home with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

Yellowjacket

Actual Size: ½ to 1”

Characteristics: Predominantly black or dark brown with distinctive yellow markings

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Habitat: Yellowjackets build their nests using chewed cellulose, creating structures resembling paper cartons. These nests are commonly found in various locations, including underground, in eaves, or in attics.

Habits:

  • Yellowjackets live in colonies that can house up to 4,000 workers.
  • Their nests are made of a papery material and can be found both above and below ground.
  • Yellowjackets are most active and aggressive during late summer when their populations reach their peak.


Yellowjackets in Central Arkansas

Yellowjackets are prevalent throughout the United States and are among the most notorious wasps for nesting in and around structures. Their colonies, often housing thousands of individuals, can become a significant threat when they nest in structural voids, attics, and landscaping features. Adult yellowjackets primarily feed on fruit juices and sweet liquids, while their larvae consume soft-bodied insects such as caterpillars and flies.

Yellowjacket Habitat

Yellowjackets can be categorized as either ground nesters or aerial nesters:

  • Ground Nesters: These yellowjackets frequently use abandoned rodent burrows for their nests.
  • Aerial Nesters: Their nests are found in trees, shrubs, and on buildings, including wall voids, under eaves, crawlspaces, and attics. The nest entrance is typically a hole at the bottom. Unlike some other wasps, aerial nesters do not become scavengers in the fall, but they are highly defensive when their nests are disturbed.

Yellowjacket Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Yellowjackets generally do not sting unless their nest is threatened. However, their stings pose a more significant risk compared to bee stings because yellowjackets can sting multiple times due to their non-barbed stingers. Some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions and should seek medical attention if stung. Occasionally, yellowjackets nesting in wall voids may chew through drywall, enter the living spaces of homes, and cause alarm to residents.

If you spot a yellowjacket nest, always contact a licensed wasp removal expert for help.