Apr 5, 2024 | Pest Control
Georgia’s warm climate and lush landscapes make it a haven for various insects, including some that pack a painful sting. While many of these stinging insects play crucial roles in our ecosystem, encountering them in and around our homes can be alarming and potentially dangerous. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common stinging insects found in the region, the threats they pose, and how to deal with them effectively.
Yellow Jackets
One of the most notorious stinging insects in Georgia is the yellow jacket. These aggressive insects are easily recognizable by their black and yellow striped bodies. They typically build their nests in hollow trees, underground burrows, or within wall voids of buildings. Yellow jackets can pose a significant threat to humans and pets, especially when their nests are disturbed. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Identification
Yellow jackets are about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch in length, with distinctive yellow and black markings on their bodies.
Treatment
If stung by a yellow jacket, it’s essential to remove the stinger promptly to minimize venom injection. Clean the affected area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Over-the-counter antihistamines can help alleviate itching and discomfort.
Removal
Removing a yellow jacket nest can be hazardous and is best left to professionals. Attempting to remove the nest without proper equipment and expertise can provoke the colony, leading to aggressive behavior and more stings.
Prevention
To prevent yellow jackets from nesting near your home, seal any openings in walls, windows, and doors. Keep outdoor garbage cans tightly sealed and promptly clean up any food spills or crumbs.
Paper Wasps
Paper wasps are another common stinging insect found in Georgia. They construct umbrella-shaped nests from a papery material, often hanging from eaves, tree branches, or shrubbery. While they are generally less aggressive than yellow jackets, they will defend their nests if threatened.
Identification
Paper wasps are slender with long legs and wings, typically brownish in color with yellow markings.
Treatment
Treat paper wasp stings similarly to yellow jacket stings. Remove the stinger, clean the area, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Removal
If a paper wasp nest is located in a high-traffic area or poses a threat to residents, it’s advisable to contact a professional pest control company for safe removal.
Prevention
Regularly inspect your property for signs of paper wasp nests, especially in the spring and summer months. Remove any existing nests during the winter to prevent reinfestation.
Hornets
Hornets are another type of stinging insect that can cause concern for Georgia residents. These insects are larger than yellow jackets and paper wasps and often build their nests in trees, shrubs, or even on buildings.
Identification
Hornets have stout bodies with predominantly black coloring and white or yellow markings. Their nests are typically grayish and football-shaped.
Treatment
Treat hornet stings similarly to other stinging insect stings. Remove the stinger, clean the area, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Removal
Due to the size and aggression of hornets, it’s best to leave nest removal to professionals. Attempting to remove a hornet nest without proper equipment and expertise can be dangerous.
Prevention
Regularly inspect your property for signs of hornet activity, especially in secluded areas such as attics, sheds, and trees. Seal any openings or gaps in buildings to prevent hornets from entering.
In conclusion, encountering stinging insects in Georgia is not uncommon, but with proper knowledge and precautions, you can minimize the risks associated with them. If you’re dealing with a stinging insect infestation on your property, it’s best to seek assistance from a professional pest control company near you.
Jun 29, 2023 | Pest Control
While most people associate summer with warmer weather and more time spent outdoors, it also marks peak season for many Georgia pests. Here are 5 of the most common summer pests in Georgia and how to prevent them.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito season peaks in summer (peak months are June to September) with activity at hits highest. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. These pests transmit serious diseases to both humans and pets. They also breed in standing water found around your home. You can get rid of mosquitoes this summer by:
- Getting rid of any standing water around your home.
- Wearing mosquito repellent when spending time outdoors.
- Avoiding any outdoor activities at dawn and dusk.
Ticks
Ticks are active from late spring to early fall. These summer pests are known to transmit serious disease to humans and pets. They are commonly found wooded areas and areas with tall grass. Avoid ticks this summer by:
- Wearing long sleeves and pants.
- Checking for ticks after any time spent outdoors.
- Routinely checking your pets for ticks.
- Using vet approved tick preventatives on your pets.
Spiders
Spiders are common in summer as they are often driven from their hiding places by the warmer temperatures (e.g. your attic). While spiders are beneficial to have around as they eat other common pests found in your home, they can be a nuisance. Keep spiders at bay this summer by:
- Sealing around pipes and under doors.
- Using a dehumidifier to keep moisture out.
- Decluttering your home.
- Sweeping cobwebs down as soon as they appear.
Ants
Ants emerge in the summer in search of food (particularly sweets and grease) that they take back to their colonies. This is why they are often found in kitchens. You can prevent ants by:
- Getting rid of debris around foundations.
- Keeping your kitchen clean and crumb free, especially counters and appliances.
- Storing food in sealed containers.
- Trimming branches back from the exterior walls and roof of your home.
Stinging Pests
Stinging pests, such as wasps, hornets, bees, and yellow jackets, are prominent in the summer months. These pests will often forage for food during the warmer weather. Avoid stinging pests by:
- Covering food and drinks when outdoors.
- Avoiding sweet or flowery smelling perfumes.
- Repairing holes in decking, siding, and screens to eliminate nesting spots.
- Maintaining routine lawn care.
Don’t let summer pests ruin your time outdoors. Contact your local pest control company today for a free evaluation.
Aug 4, 2022 | Florida Pest Control
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.
Feb 23, 2022 | Pest Control
Spring is around the corner, and that means our favorite stinging insects are making a return! Some of these stinging pests are very beneficial for pollinating flowers, but some are not so nice for your home. Check out our list of popular stinging insects in the southeast and what you should know about them!
Bumblebees
Bumblebees are relatively harmless and can be greatly beneficial for pollinating flowers. These insects can be identified by their black and yellow markings and an overall fuzzy appearance. They build their nests out of pollen buildup and will usually build them in the ground or a dense grass clump. If they feel threatened, they can become aggressive and result in stinging, so if the nest is found near a structure, then control may be necessary.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are often confused with bumblebees, but the top of their abdomen is largely bare and shiny. They are a serious threat to your property, as they burrow deep into wood to make galleries for nurturing their young. Male carpenter bees are territorial, and you may find them hovering in front of your face aggressively, but they have no stinger and these actions are merely for show. Female carpenter bees have a powerful sting which is rarely used.
Honeybees
Honeybees are less than an inch in size and are orange-ish brown or black in color. They are considered social insects and live as colonies in hives, where they can reach sizes up to 80,000 inhabitants. Three types of honeybees live in a beehive: worker, drone, and queen. Each has its important roles and performs specific duties within a bee colony. Honeybees are very beneficial and pollinate 85 percent of food crops intended for human consumption. They are critical to our environment and provide us with honey, which has many positive health benefits.
Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets are less than an inch in size and are yellow and black in color. These pests reside in nests constructed of paper cartons, which can grow to be the size of a baseball. One nest can contain multiple rounded paper combs which are attached to one another and covered in many layers. Depending on the species, the nest can be near the ground, such as plant roots, logs, or timber; or aerial and attached to shrubs, houses, garages, or sheds. Yellow jackets are slow to sting unless they feel threatened. They are considered beneficial because they control many pest insect species, like flies and aphids.
Remember – it is not recommended to attempt to remove a stinging insect nest on your own and doing so can be extremely dangerous. Instead, work with a local pest control company to access your property and the nest, identify the type of stinging insect (like wasps or other dangerous stingers) and determine the best way to eliminate the threat to your family.
Aug 23, 2018 | Pest Control
Fall is the perfect time of year to prepare your home for winter. While prepping your yard and storing away your summer things are usually at the top of the list, don’t forget to protect your home from pests this winter also! Fall is prime time for pests to make their way into your house in search of food, shelter, and warmth over the cold winter months.
Rodents will make their way indoors in search of a warm place to shelter for winter. Flies will often be found on the south and west facing walls of your home in search heat. Many stinging insects like yellow jackets, bees, and wasps will become more hostile in the fall as their food supply dwindles. Cockroaches are attracted by the moisture found in and under your home. Other pests like ants, stinkbugs, ladybugs, and box elders will come inside looking for a place to overwinter.
Now that you know what kinds of pests to expect this fall, what can you do to protect your home from these often unseen invaders? Check out these 6 tips to prevent pests this fall.
- Keep Them Out. Inspect the inside and outside of your home for possible entry points that pests can use. Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of your home with caulk and steel wool, especially around utility pipes. Screen your attic vents and install chimney sweeps. Screen any other openings to the outdoors like mail slots and pet doors. Repair loose mortar around your foundation and windows. Check screens for holes and repair or replace them as needed. Check for any gaps around doors and windows. Install or replace weatherstripping as needed and install door sweeps.
- Keep It Clean. Wipe down your counters and sweep your floors often. Clean up spills immediately. Take out your trash on a regular basis. Don’t let fruits and veggies get overripe on your counters. Keep food, including pet food, stored in airtight containers. Avoid leaving pet food dishes out for prolonged periods of time.
- Dry It Out. Mosquitoes breed in standing water and cockroaches are attracted to moisture. Walk your property on a regular basis to check for any standing water. Be sure to check your gutters and rain spouts for clogs and consider installing gutter guards to help prevent them. Check for leaks near your air conditioning unit. Pick up any toys from your yard that may hold water. Keep basements, attics, and crawlspaces dry and ventilated. Consider enclosing your crawlspace. Use dehumidifiers in attics and garages.
- Don’t Forget Outside. Maintain your landscaping and keep grass trimmed and mowed. Trim any bushes and shrubs away from your home. There should be at least 2 feet between any landscaping and the walls of your house. Rake up any debris from your yard and be sure to pull weeds. Store firewood at least 20 feet from your house and store it in racks above the ground.
- Inspect Before Bringing It In. Thoroughly inspect any items like boxes, packages, and even grocery bags before bringing them indoors. Thoroughly inspect luggage after traveling before bringing them into your home and store them in plastic bags or in external buildings like sheds or garages instead of in your home.
- Call The Pros. Call a professional pest control company who can provide you with a thorough evaluation and comprehensive treatment and prevention plan.
