Stinging Pests and How to Prevent Them in Ft. Lauderdale

Stinging Pests and How to Prevent Them in Ft. Lauderdale

Ft. Lauderdale Stinging Pests: ID and Prevention

Summer is in full swing in Ft. Lauderdale and that should bring fun activities your way, such as relaxing outside on your patio or spending time with your kids in the backyard. Unfortunately, it can also bring summer pests! Most active in the summer are stinging pests, including yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets. There are several ways to prevent these pests from messing with your summer fun, so let’s break each one down!

Hornets

On the larger side of the stinging pests, hornets have brown and yellow abdominal stripes on their bodies. Their nests are often built-in hollow trees, and the walls of houses and attics. They are attracted to light and can fly to your windows at night if they see a light on. They are relatively non-aggressive near the nest, but there is potential for a stinging hazard if threatened.

Prevent hornets by:

  • Keeping garbage cans covered, as leftover food can attract hornets
  • Maintaining the outside of your home, ensuring screens, window, and doors are all in good condition
  • Avoiding the use of strong fragrances when outdoors

Wasps

These pests will become aggressive if they feel threatened enough and are known to sting multiple times. Wasps are highly attracted to backyard events, resulting in an increase in your chances of being stung. Their nests are typically built in branches, porch ceilings, eaves, and attic rafters.

Prevent wasps by:

  • Keeping doors and windows shut
  • Covering any openings in your home’s exterior
  • Keeping outdoor waste containers completely covered

Yellow Jackets

These social insects are usually anywhere humans are found. They have a non-fuzzy, black and yellow striped body. Attracted to sweets and proteins, they commonly invade outdoor events. Their nests can be found either high up or in the ground. Yellow jackets will sting multiple times if they feel threatened and can sometimes cause allergic reactions.

Prevent yellow jackets by:

  • Avoiding sweet smelling perfume or cologne when outdoors as this will attract them
  • Using plants that help deter yellow jackets, including spearmint, thyme, and lemon grass

If you have a stinging pest problem, reach out to your local Ft. Lauderdale pest control company for professional help in removing these pests from your property.

How to Avoid Stinging Insects at Home

How to Avoid Stinging Insects at Home

Stinging insects, such as yellowjackets, wasps, and hornets, send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year. With the weather warming up, these pests are looking for a food source. While you’re enjoying your backyard barbecues and relaxing by the pool, remember these tips to help keep stinging pests from ruining your outdoor fun.

Wasps

These slim-bodied insects have six legs and two wings. They are busy at work scavenging for food during the summer months. They will typically build their nests in branches, porch ceilings, and attic rafters. They are highly attracted to picnics and backyard barbecues, increasing your chance of being stung.

Yellow Jackets

These social insects are found anywhere with human activity. They feed on sweets and proteins, often invading outdoor events. They have a non-fuzzy black and yellow striped body and measure less than an inch long. Sometimes they build their nests in high places, like the side of a building. Most of the time, yellow jackets’ nests are built in or near the ground, including shrubs, timber, and logs.

Hornets

These insects typically prefer a forested environment and are known to build nests in hollow trees or walls of houses and attics. They are attracted to light and will try to fly into your windows at night if a light is on. They are generally non-aggressive near their nests, but if they feel threatened, they will potentially sting.

Stinging Insect Prevention:

  • Avoid wearing strong fragrances and opt for an unscented sunscreen
  • Keep outside food covered and sealed tightly
  • Stick to darker colors since florals and bright-colored clothing tend to attract these pests
  • Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of your home to prevent these insects from building a nest inside
  • Remain calm if you find yourself near one of these pests to avoid an aggressive attack

If the stinging insect problem is bigger than you can handle, then calling your local pest control company might be the next step in prevention.

Avoiding Stinging Pests at Your Business

Avoiding Stinging Pests at Your Business

Spotting stinging pests around your business can be alarming. Yellowjackets, wasps, and hornets are all active during the warmer season as they go in search of a food source and a place to establish their colony. These pests can pose a serious health risk to your customers and business. We break down the most common stinging pests and the best ways to avoid them.

Wasps

Wasps will build their paper-like nests on eaves, porch ceilings, branches, and windowsills. These pests search for food during the summer months. They are highly attracted to any food found outdoors, along with anything with a fragrant smell such as candles or flowers. When threatened, these pests will sting multiple times and eventually call on reinforcements from other wasps by emitting pheromones.

Hornets

Hornet nests are built in hollow trees or the walls of buildings and attics. These pests are attracted to light and will often fly into open windows at night if they see a light. Hornets like to eat fruit and honeydew, causing them to congregate in areas where these foods are found. While they are non-aggressive near their nests, they will sting if they feel threatened. When stings occur, the stinger can get lodged in the skin.

Yellow Jackets

Yellowjackets are social insects and can be found wherever humans are. These pests like to eat sweets and proteins and will invade outdoor events to find these foods. Yellowjackets build their nests in high places, such as on trees and buildings, or on the ground. If they feel threatened, they will sting multiple times which can be extremely painful.

Stinging Pest Prevention for Your Business

  • Always keep outside food areas clean, wiping up any leftover food debris.
  • Keep garbage cans tightly sealed and emptied regularly.
  • Untreated wood can attract stinging pests; make sure to stain, seal, or paint wood throughout your business exterior.
  • Perform weekly inspections throughout your business property to keep an eye on these pests.
  • If you have a public area where customers can eat, use signage to remind them to throw away food scraps and clean up spills.

If you have a problem with stinging pests, contact Commercial Services for an inspection and treatment plan.

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