Stinging Insects

What Are Stinging Insects?

Hearing the name stinging insect brings distinct thoughts to one’s mind. You pretty much figure these insects are what their names say they are, stinging insects. Well, that’s pretty much what they are, bees, wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets all fall into this distinct category. That being said, these bugs also create with is known as the Hymenoptera family. Interestingly enough, the ant is also a proud member of this family. What’s even more interesting though, not all stinging insects pose a threat. Many would even be considered useful insects, as they are beneficial pollinators.

When all said and done, one can easily see the importance of being able to distinguish between these bugs. While some stinging insects might be aggressive and sting without warning, some are beneficial pollinators.

Is My Home Infected With Stinging Insects?

There are two very distinct ways that one can determine what type of stinging insect they are dealing with. The first would be, the appearance and location of the nest. The next identification method would be the appearance of the insect itself. Learn these factors and you’ll already be halfway on your way to successful elimination. At the very least, you’ll be a more informed homeowner, which is something every Ohioan could benefit from.

Paper Wasp

• The Paper Wasp is one of mid-level aggression, but do not let that statement fool you because its sting is anything but pleasant. That being said, they don’t generally cause problems until you invade their nest or territory.
• The Paper Wasp has one of the most distinctive nests of the entire bee population, as they construct honeycombs.
• Their nests are usually found under eaves, overhands, or sometimes even on fences.
• As for the bee’s appearance, it can either be yellow and black with orange antennae similar to that of the yellowjacket or it can be brown with dark orange spots.

Yellowjackets

• Yellowjackets should be considered one of the most aggressive of the stinging insects, as they’ll attack without warning. You don’t even have to put them in a threatening situation before they’ll attack. This is especially true in the late summer and fall when the colonies reach their maximum size.
• Yellowjackets oftentimes construct their nests from materials like the newspaper. They’ll usually be located in attics, under porches, or in dense bushes. There are some of the species that prefer the cold, hard ground.
• The appearance of the bee is black and yellow. It’ll have a black body with yellow stripes on the abdomen while the head and antennae are black. They are prolifically fast flyers thanks to their ability to tuck their legs into their bodies during flight. It is these capabilities that give them more aerodynamic properties.

Hornets

• Hornets are also equally aggressive and even more so during the late summer and fall for the same reasons as the Yellowjacket. This is when the colony reaches its full size and everyone is on alert.
• The largest nests will be similar in appearance to that of a tear-drop.
• You’ll usually find hornet nests attached to trees, bushes, the side of buildings, or undisturbed grass.
• The bees themselves are black with smooth bodies. Their heads are usually slightly larger than the thorax and abdomen, which contain the stinger.

Honey Bee

• In Toledo, you don’t much have to worry about the Honey Bee, as they are only mildly aggressive. These breeds can sometimes be genetically altered for gentleness.
• The hives are the ones that you see that produce honey. They are extensive combs of wax and located within the wall cavities of hollow trees or rock crevices.
• What separates these stinging insects from the others is that they can last for numerous consecutive years. This is why they store up their honey, so they’ll have it to feed on during the winter months.
• The bees themselves are orange/yellow with brown fuzzy hair that covers the body and head. That’s right, they are also made up of a head, thorax, and abdomen with a stinger.

Carpenter Bee

• With its low aggression profile, the carpenter bee is not one to be feared. You can walk right up on this bee and it won’t attack you.
• They bore perfectly round 3/8 inch holes into wood products like fascia boards and decks. They usually do this during the spring.
• While not particularly dangerous, these bees are amongst the biggest of the stinging variety. Similar to that of the bumblebee, they have a yellow and black fuzzy thorax coupled with a black, shiny abdomen.
• That being said, it is the males of the species that have a yellow spot on their faces, making them easily identifiable

What Threats Do The Stinging Insects Pose?

There is no denying that stinging insects are dangerous. Heck, any insect even if it doesn’t carry or transmit venom should be considered dangerous if it can sting. This is because the stinging can sometimes have adverse mental effects on some individuals. They become so overwhelmed with the fear of getting stung that it consumes them. All that being said, not all stinging insects are aggressive. Most of these stinging insects mentioned above won’t even sting you unless they feel threatened.

A good thing to keep in mind is, the larger the colony, the more aggressive it’s going to be. Solitary subjects tend not to sting unless touched. Wasps and Yellowjackets don’t tend to sting victims unless they wander too close to their nests. The only problem with this is, nests aren’t always visible. As was mentioned, some nests can be constructed underground. When done so, one can easily creep up on a nest without even knowing it. Yellowjackets probably pose the biggest threat to humans, as they may sting repeatedly and their stings can be painful.

In addition to this, these stings might cause allergic reactions in some individuals. There have been plenty of reported cases of anaphylactic shock with bee stings. These will likely in the most serve of Yellowjacket stings.

Why Is My Home Infected With Stinging Insects?

If you have stinging insects it’s because your home provides the perfect breeding ground or living conditions for nesting. Stinging insects are what are known as opportunistic creatures and will build their nests whenever given the opportunity. When the opportunity to build presents itself, they will jump on it.

Eliminating Stinging Insects

Eliminating stinging insects can sometimes be dangerous. The reasons as to why this is the case are probably pretty obvious. This is why this is an undertaking that is best left to a professional with experience in the matter. That being said, there are plenty of over-the-counter or DIY sprays or pesticides, but these just aren’t as effective. Not only this, but they can be dangerous. This is because, for these treatments to be effective, they will need to be dangerous. Natural remedies, while they do work, just aren’t as effective.

When trying to eliminate a bee civilization, it is best to always attack at night. This is when the colony will be least active. This is probably the best possible way to tackle the problem if you are going to tackle it on your own.

How Much Is Stinging Insect Treatment?

We offer a variety of treatment options when it comes to stinging insects. Unfortunately, it is hard for us to give you a quote straight up as to how much treatment will cost because there are so many factors to consider. This is why it is best to know and understand the factors that can help determine the overall price of the job. Here are some of the things that will factor into how much we have to charge.

• The type of infestation you are currently dealing with
• The size of the infestation and the property
• The size and number of the nests
• The location of the nest (outside or inside) (ground floor or second-story)

When Will Help Get Here?

With our insight into the pest industry and access to innovative tools, techs, and solutions, we stay busy all year round. That doesn’t mean we aren’t willing to adapt for our customers because we are. If not in need of emergency services, we can have someone out at the property within 24 to 48 hours after you make that initial call. If you require emergency services, we have people standing by for that as well.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.