Wasps are flying insects that belong to the order Hymenoptera and the suborder Apocrita. They are also known under the names of yellow jackets and hornets and measure between 10 mm and 25 mm. They are present worldwide and are distinguished from bees by their very thin ‘’waist’’ which separates the abdomen from the thorax.

There are many species of wasp, but their morphology generally consists of the head, thorax, and abdomen, which are protected by a hard exoskeleton. They are easily recognizable by their black abdomen ringed with yellow or white. The wasp is a social insect that lives in colonies comprising one or a few queens, workers and males.

Development and Behaviours

When wasps build their nests near homes, or even in the house’s foundations, they can be a danger for both humans and pets. If they are disturbed, they will not hesitate to use their stingers in order to defend their hives. Getting stung by a wasp is quite painful. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 17% of the population risks having an allergic reaction that can even cause anaphylactic shock.

Prevention

Unfortunately, as with all flying insects, there is no way to prevent a wasp from entering your garden. However, there are steps you can take to prevent wasps from appearing, especially during the summer months when they are most active.

Here are some tips to help prevent a wasp infestation:

• Inspect your home for hornets. It is better to do it in early spring because the hornets will be smaller and therefore easier to remove.
• Use garbage cans with a lid, always keeping them tightly closed and away from doors and windows, as they can attract wasps into your home.
• Keep doors and windows closed - use screens on windows if you need to open them.
• Keep a safe distance - if you have found a wasp’s nest, be sure to keep children and pets away from the area.

If you put all these measures into action and you still observe a large number of wasps in your house or garden, it probably means that there is a nest nearby. It is recommended not to take any risk and to contact a team of extermination experts to quickly get rid of a wasp infestation.

Recommendations

When a wasp’s nest is visible, it is important to keep people and pets at a safe distance before destroying it. Spray directly into the opening of the nest. It is recommended that this work be done when the sun has set, to prevent the presence of wasps still flying outside the nest.

It is not recommended knocking the hive down by spraying water, because this causes the wasps to be more aggressive and to stay nearby. They may even attempt to repair their hives. In certain cases, the nest may not be visible or be inaccessible if it is established within the building structure or up high. 

In all cases, our technicians have the expertise and know-how to get permanently rid of a wasp infestation. Contact Vextermination for a safe and guaranteed intervention by our qualified exterminators who are trained to manage this type of situation.