As temperatures consistently exceed of 90 degrees, you may be seeing an increased presence of yellow jackets in Nashville and the surrounding areas during the summer and early fall. Below we'll discuss how you can tell yellow jackets apart from other stinging insects such as wasps and learn so proactive measures to prevent them from nesting on your property.

Yellow jackets are not only a nuisance, but can be dangerous (and even deadly for those who are allergic) as they can sting and inject venomous fluid more than once. Compared to other stinging insects that live in the Nashville area, yellow jackets are relatively docile unless you approach their nest. However, they’re usually much more aggressive towards the end of the yellow jacket season (early fall) when they are fighting for survival. At this time, they are eating anything in sight to try to stay alive. Multiple stings are possible if you run into these dangerous and unpredictable insects.

Not only might you see free-flying yellow jackets outside your home, yellow jackets can nest in wall voids, attics, sheds, and underground within lawns. Thousands of yellow jackets can live in a single colony, growing in size throughout the summer. This is why why you should not attempt to remove the nest on your own.

What’s the difference between a yellow jacket and paper wasp?

When you see a yellow and black insect buzzing around your home or business, your first instinct may be to run or try to swat it away. At the moment, you’re probably not concerned with the type of insect. However, it’s essential to know the differences between yellow jackets and other common stinging insects so you can understand what to expect when they nest on your property.

Yellow jackets are predatory insects that live in large, active colonies and are very protective of their nest sites, which makes them especially dangerous.

Here are four key features of yellow jackets:

• Size ranges between 3/8 and 5/8 inches long
• Front wings fold lengthwise while resting
• Completely black antennae
• Nest in the ground or within attics and wall voids

Since yellow jackets are attracted to sweet drinks, snacks, and fruit, you may find them swarming around your patio area when having outdoor meals and also around your trash cans.

Unlike yellow jackets, paper wasps will rarely sting when unprovoked but can be aggressive if provoked or they sense their nests are in danger. You won’t see a large number of paper wasps at one time.

Here are four key features of paper wasps:

• Size ranges between ½ and 1 inch
• Its long legs hang down while flying
• Orange-tipped antennae
• Create gray, honeycomb patterned nests that hang under eaves, patio umbrellas, overhangs, and garages

is it safe for me to remove a yellow jacket nest?

Now that you’ve determined whether you truly have a yellow jacket problem, you can implement some basic steps to get rid of those insects. While there’s not a specific measure to altogether remove yellow jackets on your property, here are a few proactive steps you can take to prevent a run-in with the stinging pests.

• Always cover sweet beverages like soda and juice when you are outdoors.
• Avoid wearing sandals or walking barefoot in your yard as yellow jackets can nest in the ground.
• If you store your garbage cans outside, you should have a tight-fitting lid
• Make sure your windows and door screens are adequately sealed.

Since yellow jackets live in nests that can hold around 5,000, it’s not enough to kill only a few to get rid of the nest in its entirety.

You may have seen articles or YouTube videos about do-it-yourself traps and actions to take against yellow jackets such as pouring gasoline at the nest entrance, using store-bought repellent sprays or mixing bleach and ammonia to pour into the nest. EcoShield strongly cautions against this! Not only is this extremely dangerous, but you could also be pushing the colony to another area of your home.

If you find a yellow jacket nest on your property, sheds, pool houses, mailboxes, etc. do not attempt to remove it yourself. 

How does ecoshieled get rid of yellow jackets at your home?

We'll ensure the job is done right with you safety in mind. Our highly trained experts will safely remove the nest at an affordable price. Give us a call today or fill out the form on this page.

EcoShield proudly serves the following towns in the Nashville area:

Davidson County: Antioch, Goodlettsville, Hermitage, Joelton, Madison, Nashville, Old Hickory, Whites Creek

Rutherford County: Christiana, Eagleville, Fosterville, La Vergne, Lascassas, Milton, Murfreesboro, Rockvale, Smyrna

Wilson County: Lebanon, Mount Juliet, Norene, Watertown

Williamson County: Arrington, Brentwood, College Grove, Fairview, Franklin, Nolensville, Primm Springs, Thompsons Station