Stinging Insects
Commercial Stinging Insect Control
Finding the Source Behind Stinging Insect Activity
Seeing what looks like a “bee” around a trash area, entrance, loading area, or outdoor space tells you there’s stinging insect activity. It doesn’t necessarily tell you what the insect is, where it’s coming from, or what should be done about it.
Yellowjackets, paper wasps, hornets, and bees behave differently. Some build nests underground. Others use trees, eaves, equipment, structural voids, or other protected spaces. Some insects seen around a property may simply be foraging, while others may indicate an active nest nearby.
Sprague starts by identifying the insect, evaluating its activity, and determining where the problem may be coming from. From there, we recommend an approach based on the species, nest location, surrounding conditions, season, and potential exposure to employees, customers, guests, or others using the property.
Correct identification comes first.
Key Risks
Where You See Activity May Not Be Where the Nest Is
Different Stinging Insects Require Different Responses
Activity Can Create Problems Where People and Pests Overlap
Common Stinging Insects
Customers often describe almost any stinging insect as a “bee,” but knowing what you’re actually dealing with matters.
Identifying the insect helps Sprague understand its behavior, determine where to look for the nest or source of activity, and recommend an appropriate response.
What Are Yellowjackets?
Yellowjackets are social wasps that may nest underground, inside structural voids, or in aerial locations depending on the species.
They forage on protein and sugary food sources and may become particularly noticeable around food, beverages, garbage, and other waste areas.
Some yellowjacket colonies may grow to thousands of workers as the season progresses.
Seeing yellowjackets around food or waste, however, doesn’t necessarily mean their nest is nearby. Workers can travel away from the colony while foraging, which is why following their activity can be an important part of finding the source.
What Are Paper Wasps?
Paper wasps build exposed, open-celled nests in protected locations such as eaves, fences, equipment, electrical boxes, crevices, and other sheltered areas around structures.
They are generally less aggressive than yellowjackets but may defend a nest when it is disturbed.
The European paper wasp is a common paper wasp within Sprague’s service area.
What Are Bald-Faced Hornets?
Despite their common name, bald-faced hornets are technically an aerial-nesting species of yellowjacket.
They construct distinctive enclosed paper nests that may be found in trees, shrubs, on buildings, or in other elevated locations.
Bald-faced hornets are not found throughout every part of Sprague’s service area, but where they occur, they can aggressively defend their nest when disturbed.
How Are Bees Different From Wasps and Yellowjackets?
Not every insect customers call a “bee” is actually a bee, and actual bees should not automatically be managed like yellowjackets or paper wasps.
When honey bees are involved, Sprague first evaluates the situation and prioritizes an appropriate site-specific response. When possible, that may include working with or referring the situation to a local beekeeper.
The appropriate response depends on the insect, location, colony or nest conditions, accessibility, and potential risk to people using the property.
That’s another reason correct identification should come before treatment.
Did you know?
Sprague Solutions
Stinging insect management starts with understanding what’s happening on the property.
Sprague evaluates the insect, its activity, potential nesting areas, surrounding conditions, and human exposure before determining an appropriate response.
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Identification & Investigation
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Sprague identifies the stinging insect and evaluates its behavior, flight patterns, potential nesting areas, and surrounding conditions.
Determining whether insects are simply foraging or associated with a nearby nest can change the recommended approach.
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Nest Treatment & Removal
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When an active nest is located, Sprague selects an approach based on the insect, nest type, location, accessibility, site conditions, and surrounding exposure.
Nest removal may follow when it is safe, appropriate, and accessible.
Structural-void and other inaccessible nests require a site-specific approach because treatment and removal options depend on the insect, nest location, accessibility, and conditions within the structure.
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Yellowjacket Management
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Sometimes yellowjacket activity is obvious even when the colony isn’t.
Sprague may observe flight patterns, inspect surrounding areas, and evaluate likely nesting locations to help determine where the activity originates.
When a colony cannot be located, additional management strategies may be considered based on the property, climate, season, and level of activity.
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Exclusion & Property Conditions
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Recurring activity can sometimes be influenced by structural gaps, protected nesting locations, food and beverage residue, waste conditions, or other features of the property.
After active nesting has been addressed, Sprague may recommend exclusion, sanitation, habitat modification, or other practical changes to help reduce conditions that contribute to future activity.
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Seasonal Monitoring
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Stinging insect pressure changes throughout the year.
Seasonal inspection can help identify new nest formation and changing activity so developing problems can be evaluated before activity becomes more noticeable.
Real-World Results
Finding the Nest Before Camp Began
When stinging insect activity was reported near a summer camp program at a zoo, Sprague investigated the area and located a yellowjacket nest beneath the awning of a portable food unit.
The nest was addressed that evening, allowing the affected area to return to use before programming resumed.
The situation illustrates why visible activity is only the beginning of the investigation.
Finding where the insects are actually coming from can make the difference in determining the right response.
Stinging Insect FAQs
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Does seeing yellowjackets mean there's a nest on my property?
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Not necessarily.
Yellowjackets may travel away from their nest while foraging for food. Activity around trash areas, outdoor dining spaces, landscaping, or entrances may originate from a nest elsewhere.
Identifying the insect and observing its flight activity can help determine where the pressure may be coming from.
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Where do yellowjackets and wasps build nests?
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It depends on the species.
Nests may be located underground, in trees or shrubs, beneath eaves, around equipment, inside structural voids, or in other protected spaces.
Nesting behavior is one reason correct identification matters when investigating stinging insect activity.
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What's the difference between yellowjackets and paper wasps?
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Both are social wasps, but their behavior and nesting habits differ.
Yellowjackets may nest underground, in structural voids, or in aerial locations depending on the species. Paper wasps typically build exposed, open-celled nests in protected areas around structures.
Identifying which insect is present helps determine where to look for the nest and how the situation should be managed.
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Is a bald-faced hornet actually a hornet?
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Despite its common name, the bald-faced hornet is technically an aerial-nesting species of yellowjacket.
It builds a distinctive enclosed paper nest, often in trees, shrubs, or elevated locations around structures.
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What should a business do if it finds a stinging insect nest?
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Avoid disturbing the nest or attempting to remove it without first understanding what insect is present and where the nest is located.
Sprague can identify the insect, evaluate the nest and surrounding conditions, and determine an appropriate management approach.
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What if Sprague can't find the yellowjacket nest?
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Visible yellowjacket activity doesn’t always make the colony easy to locate.
Sprague may observe flight patterns and investigate surrounding areas to help identify the source. If the colony still cannot be located, additional management strategies may be considered based on site conditions, climate, season, and activity.
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Are bees treated differently from wasps and yellowjackets?
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Honey bees and wasps have different behaviors and require different management considerations. When honey bees are involved, Sprague evaluates the situation and, when possible and appropriate, may recommend involving a local beekeeper.
The appropriate response depends on the insect, colony location, accessibility, site conditions, and potential risk to people.
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Why does identifying the stinging insect matter?
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Different stinging insects nest, forage, and respond to disturbance differently.
Identification helps determine whether the insects are simply foraging or associated with a nearby nest, where that nest may be located, and which management options may be appropriate.
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Seeing Stinging Insect Activity Around Your Property?
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Seeing the insects is only the first clue.
Sprague can identify what you’re dealing with, determine where the activity may be coming from, evaluate the surrounding conditions, and recommend an appropriate management approach for your property.
Identify the insect. Find the source. Choose the response based on what you find.
Schedule a Consultation
Call 800.272.4988