We don’t mean to be a buzzkill, but summer has arrived. And as most Wichita homeowners know, that means we are in for some quality time around our not-so-favorite stinging insects. In this article, we’ll cover the most common wasps in Wichita. We’ll explain how to identify, prevent, and remove them if they become a nuisance.
If you’re experiencing an infestation of wasps, hornets, or other stinging insects, know that our team has you covered. Attempting to remove nests and swarms on your own can lead to injury and property damage.
The licensed professional technicians at Betts Pest Control can safely and effectively remove nests and infestations of stinging insects and wasps in Wichita. Contact us for a free estimate.
Common Wasps and Hornets in Wichita
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets are small, quick, and, quite frankly, a bit aggressive. They have smooth, yellow bodies with black stripes and are often mistaken for honeybees. Unlike bees, however, they can sting multiple times without losing their stinger.
Yellowjackets are scavengers, which makes them a pervasive problem in the summer. They will hang out around trash dumpsters, hover around unattended or uncovered sugary drinks, and even crash your picnics or patio hangouts, trying to grab a bite of your food.
Yellowjackets are very defensive. They will sting repeatedly if they feel threatened or believe you’re attacking their colony.
Many yellowjackets build their nests in sidewalk cracks, cracks in walls and building exteriors, under porches, or will build aerial nests in shrubbery or on structures.
Paper wasps
Polistes wasps, commonly called paper wasps, have slender bodies, long legs, and can vary in color. You may find their bodies have a reddish-brown hue or are black with yellow stripes.
Paper wasps create umbrella-shaped nests made of a papery substance, consisting of chewed wood fibers and saliva, like a wasp papier mache nest. Their nests typically hang under eaves of roofs, window frames, or deck railings.
Paper wasps help control garden pests like caterpillars and even help with pollination, but they can be aggressive and sting if they feel their nest is at risk.
Mud daubers
If you’re from Kansas, you’ve almost certainly seen, or at least have heard of, mud daubers. Known for making their nests via mud tubes, you’ll likely spot mud dauber hanging around their nests on walls, ceilings, or in corners of garages, sheds, or balconies.
Much less aggressive than their waspy cousins, the mud daubers don’t bother with humans. They aren’t known for stinging unless directly handled or defensively from feeling threatened.
Instead, these wasps keep to themselves, primarily focusing on paralyzing spiders (including black widows!) to feed their young.
Aside from their nests, you can identify a mud dauber by its long, slender body and ‘thread-like’ waist. They range in color from black to a metallic blue and may have yellow markings.
Bald-faced hornets
Despite their name, bald-faced hornets are actually a type of yellowjacket. However, these hornets are much larger and more aggressive than their yellowjacket counterparts. Bald-faced hornets get their name because of their black bodies with white (or ‘bald’) markings on their faces.
These hornets typically build large, football-shaped paper nests high in trees, under the eaves of buildings, or on poles.
We mentioned that they are larger and more aggressive than yellowjackets. Additionally, they will defend their nest without hesitation, even attacking perceived threats as a group. Their stings are extremely painful, so it’s important to leave the handling and removal of these hornets to the experts.
Signs of an Infestation
It’s practically inevitable that you’ll run into a curious wasp or two over the summer months. But how can you tell if you’re actually hosting a colony around your home? Here are a few signs to look for:
- You notice wasps frequently in the same area (under eaves, near a hole in the ground, around a porch or balcony, etc)
- You find a wasp nest hanging, in a wall or structural hole, or in the ground
- You hear buzzing sounds inside walls or notice insects coming inside through vents
- You spot several insects hovering around trash cans, food, or standing water
If any of this sounds familiar around your home, it’s time to take action. And, no, we don’t mean with a broom or bug spray.
Don’t DIY a Wasp Nest Removal
Removing a wasp or hornet nest on your own can be risky. Some colonies can have up to thousands of aggressive defenders, meaning you could be swarmed and stung repeatedly, potentially causing bodily harm or serious allergic reactions.
Professional pest control companies, like our team at Betts Pest Control, have the tools and expertise to safely handle wasp and hornet problems.
We can tell what type of pest you’re dealing with, use professional equipment to treat and remove nests without putting you (or your family) at risk, and we can provide seasonal treatments to ensure effective removal of the wasps and hornets from your home.
They’ll even inspect for old nests, which should be removed before next season (many stinging insects reuse nests!).
Call Betts Pest Control
When it comes to stinging insects in Wichita, you can keep yourself, your family, and your home pest-free by knowing what to look for, taking preventive steps, and calling in the pros when necessary. So the next time you hear a suspicious buzz in the backyard, you’ll know exactly what to do and who to call.
Call Betts Pest Control to discuss your pest control needs and receive a free estimate. Stay safe, Wichita!
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