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How much do you know about stinging insects? You’re likely found them around your property, but you got rid of them and didn’t think too much about it. As long as you can remove the stinging insects, you’ll be fine. However, some infestations aren’t easy to eliminate. Stinging insects might’ve developed a large nest on your porch or deck. These pests belong to the Hymenoptera order. Although they’re problematic for Baltimore residents, they’re beneficial pollinators. Before trying to fix the issue, work with an exterminator to identify the species.
Once you’ve found out which species you have, you’ll know how dangerous the stinging insect is and how to eliminate them. In Baltimore, the most common stinging insects include honeybees, paper wasps, yellowjackets, and carpenter bees. Below, you’ll learn more about these stinging insects and identifying the species.
How To Identify The Species
Before you can figure out a solution to the problem, you need to identify the stinging insect species. Doing so doesn’t have to be complicated. To find out, you need to look at the nest. What does it look like? Where is it located? Also, don’t forget to check out the appearance of the stinging insect. Using this combination can help you determine what you’re working with.
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps are moderately aggressive, but shouldn’t cause problems unless you get too close. Never reach toward a paper wasp nest because you will likely get stung. Learn how to identify a paper wasp nest so you’ll know how to identify a problem. Their nests are small, round, and gray. They have a unique honeycomb shape. In general, paper wasps nests are located under eaves and on fences.
The appearance of the paper wasp depends on the species. There are two common species in Baltimore, including European Paper Wasps and Northern Paper Wasps. The European species can be identified by looking for yellow and black stripes. As for Northern Paper Wasps, they are brown with dark orange spots.
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets need to be avoided because they’re more aggressive than other stinging insect species. Their nest will get bigger in late summer and early fall. Around this time, the yellowjacket will become more aggressive. Stay away or you might get stung several times. Furthermore, some yellowjackets build underground nests, which are much harder to spot. Yellowjacket nests can house thousands of individuals at once.
Yellowjackets are easy to identify because they have yellow and black stripes. Their antennas are black. When they decide to fly around your property, their legs will be tucked against their body.
Bald-Faced Hornets
Bald-faced hornets are very aggressive. Before getting close, look at the size of the nest. If it is large, the bald-faced hornets will be more aggressive. In general, their nests get larger in late summer and early fall. Stay away from the nest during this time since you’ll be more likely to get stung. Their nests have a unique shape that looks similar to a teardrop that has been flipped upside down.
Bald-faced hornets build nests in trees and on the side of buildings. As for their appearance, their bodies are smooth, black, and white.
Honeybees
If you had to pick a stinging insect to deal with, you’d want it to be honeybees because they’re less aggressive. In fact, some honeybees are bred to guarantee that they’re going to be gentle. Even if you approach their nest, you likely won’t get stung. Another thing that sets them apart from other stinging insects is their nest. You’ll find that their nests feature extensive wax combs. Honeybees often build their nests on rock crevices and wall cavities.
The honeybee is one of the few stinging insects that will use the same nest for several years. To do this, they’re going to store honey. Doing so ensures that they have plenty of food during the winter months. Honeybees are fuzzy with orange or yellow bodies.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are less aggressive than most stinging insects, but they can still create issues. You can approach their nest because they likely won’t sting you. When carpenter bees decide to move onto your property, they’re going to bore 3/8” holes into your wood decks, siding, and fascia. Once they’ve thrown out the wood, they’ll use the small cavity to care for their young. Carpenter bees look like bumblebees. However, many carpenter bee species have shiny abdomens.
You can identify the gender easily because male carpenter bees have yellow dots on their faces.
Stinging Insect Risks
How dangerous are the stinging insects on your property? Unfortunately, some stinging insect species are very dangerous, but some are not. Before you can determine how dangerous the stinging insect is, you’ll need to learn more about the species. Another unique fact about stinging insects is that male stinging insects are not dangerous. No male stinging insect is capable of stinging. Instead, you’ll have to worry about the female stinging insects.
Another thing to note is that the size of the nest can help you determine how dangerous the stinging insect is. If you approach a large stinging insect nest, there is a good chance that you’re going to get stung multiple times. Finally, you need to be cautious around ground nests because they’re harder to identify. You’ll likely step too close to the ground nest because you won’t see it until it is too late.
Why Stinging Insects Visited Your Property
Stinging insects tend to visit properties that have ideal nesting conditions. If your deck has unstained wood, there is a good chance that stinging insects will be attracted to it. Just remember that the cause of the infestation depends on the stinging insect. Either way, they’re coming to your property so they can build nests.
Eliminating Stinging Insect Infestations
It is pertinent to eliminate stinging insects as swiftly as possible. Otherwise, the stinging insect nest will continue to grow in size. Initially, you may decide to purchase and use DIY chemicals to fix the problem. Although it may seem like a good idea, it could create more problems for you in the long run. When attempting to treat the problem, you face the risk of getting stung. If you spray the stinging insect nest, you may get attacked by the stinging insects. If you’re going to try to fix the problem alone, please wait until the sun goes down. Stinging insects are less aggressive at night.
Alternatively, call us. We’re ready to begin helping you. We offer safe, reliable stinging insect removal services.
Our Stinging Insect Removals Are Safe
We understand how dangerous a stinging insect infestation can be. Furthermore, you’re worried that your exterminator is going to use dangerous chemicals to fix the problem. We understand your concerns, and we want to help. We only use safe solutions to fix the problem you’re safe. By working with us, you can finally sleep soundly knowing the problem will be solved without creating additional issues. Our exterminators use EPA-registered products to fix the problem. Furthermore, our exterminators work diligently to provide our clients with safe solutions.
The Cost Of Our Stinging Insect Exterminators
We work hard to make sure that our services are accessible for all of our Baltimore clients. As a result, we strive to provide low-cost services. When working with a client, we base our price on several factors, including the stinging insect species, the size of the property, the size of the nest, and the location of the nest. Our exterminator will examine the situation before giving you a bid price.
When Can You Begin?
Contact our office so we can get rid of your stinging insects as soon as possible. we’ll contact you back in at least 48 hours.
Preventing Future Stinging Insect Invasions
Unfortunately, you likely can’t stop stinging insects from invading your home. Still, you can take steps to keep some of them away. You’ll want to do what you can. One of the best ways to solve this problem is by signing up for our home service program. When you sign up, you’ll pay a low fee annually. We’ll visit your home three times during the calendar year. If we find pests, we’ll treat your home and the annual fee will cover the costs.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
