Why You Should Be Wary Of The Wasps On Your Bay Area Property

The bees and the wasps. The good and the bad. At least, that’s how many people look at it. Wasps have a pretty bad reputation for being mean and aggressive pests, but isn’t it possible that this aggression is partially because so many more people try to beat down wasp nests with baseball bats? Who would do that to a honeycomb? Hopefully, no one.

Either way, not all wasps are aggressive, and all wasps are pollinators, helping to fill in for the bees where they struggle to meet demand as an endangered species. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be wary of wasps. To learn more about wasps in the Bay Area, how dangerous they are, and how to prevent them from choosing your home for their nest, keep reading.

What Do Wasps In The Bay Area Look Like?

There are a few different types of wasps in the Bay Area. Wasp identification is important for your safety because it’s better to know which ones will be most likely to sting you. The difficult part of wasp identification is that you might have to get close, and some more aggressive species aren’t going to be okay with that. If you’d rather not risk it, the professionals can help with this step.

Paper Wasps

One of the most common wasps in the Bay Area is the paper wasp. Known for making hives out of a paper-like material, the paper wasp is generally brownish with yellow or red markings. Looking fairly uniform in color, they take on a somewhat metallic sheen. This species is around ¾ of an inch long and has a deeply cinched waist. This fly and caterpillar eating wasp is not aggressive and is unlikely to sting you.

Yellow Jackets

If you ever see a black and yellow wasp in your yard, you’re probably seeing a yellow jacket, which is a type of wasp common to this area. Like all wasps, yellow jackets have an extremely narrow waist, but they also have hairs on their head and thorax and long, drooping antennae. The bands on yellow jacket bodies form a paint-drip-like striped pattern of black over their yellow bodies, and their abdomens are also black. This black and yellow wasp is quite aggressive, unlike the paper wasp.

Mud Daubers

Mud daubers are one of many harmless types of wasps in the area. This wasp has several extremely thin segments connecting its thorax and abdomen. It’s usually black with pale markings, extremely thin legs, and curled antennae. Mud daubers can grow upwards of an inch. This wasp is not social and will likely live in a nest alone. They create mud tubes, usually under eaves, ceilings, garages, or protected walls.

How Dangerous Are Wasps In The Bay Area?

With only a few aggressive wasp species, it’s possible to make the mistake of thinking wasp prevention isn’t worth the effort, yet stinging insects send tens of thousands of people to the emergency room every year. Wasps are good for the environment and, with the right species, great for your garden. However, you should pay extreme attention when in danger of stings because of the severity of allergic reactions to wasp venom.

Natural Wasp Prevention Tips For Bay Area Properties

The most natural form of wasp prevention has nothing to do with poisons or traps. Wasp prevention comes down to keeping your yard clean and well-maintained to avoid tempting wasps with sweets, food, or tasty insects. To prevent wasps from taking up residence in your yard, try these prevention tips:

• Seal your outdoor trash and keep it away from the property. Clean the bin at least once a week.
• Don’t leave food sitting out, and immediately clean any spills.
• Repair anything that causes excess moisture, such as faulty sprinkler heads, pipes, landscaping issues.
• Trim your yard and shrubberies frequently.
• Remove and dispose of empty nests.
• Plant mint, basil, or wormwood to deter wasps from your garden.

These tips can help minimize the risk of wasps settling on your property, but they may not be enough to eliminate an existing infestation.

The Safest Form Of Wasp Control In The Bay Area

The best way to get rid of wasps in the Bay Area is by leaving the task to Bay Pest Solution. As members of this community, we want to keep our friends and neighbors safe from stinging insects and other pests. We can achieve this through our customizable plans, free cancellation, and results-driven follow-ups, intended to ensure our methods keep you safe and pest-free.

Call Bay Pest Solution or visit us online to request a free estimate. There is no safer way to get rid of wasps than with the residential pest control and commercial pest management experts at Bay Pest Solution, the best way to get rid of wasps in the Bay Area.