Bald-face Hornet
	Paper Wasp
	Yellow Jacket

Yellow Jacket
Vespula spp.

Yellow jackets are social insects that live in colonies containing thousands of individuals. Colonies are usually started by a single queen in the early spring, and are very small for the first couple of months. These wasps will aggressively attack when their nest is disturbed, and can inflict painful stings. A single yellow jacket can sting many times before dieing. Although beneficial in natural wooded areas, colonies located in or near a home, however, can pose a threat to the persons living in the house. Such colonies need to be eliminated. If you discover a colony call a HOME Pest Control service professional for assistance.

Identification
Size: About 1/2 -to 1-inch in length.
Color: Generally small wasps with black and yellow stripes.

Habits
Typically, yellow jackets locate their nests in the ground, usually in an old rodent burrow or similar hole. Another common nesting location is inside the walls of a building. They enter buildings through cracks or holes in the outside walls.

Tips for Control
The following precautions should be taken to prevent accidental stings:
· When outside be aware of numerous wasps flying into and away from a single point in the outside area or to a hole in the side of the house. This will usually indicate where a colony might be located.
· Be careful when using powered lawn equipment. Loud, vibrating noises disturb yellow jackets and may send them into an attacking frenzy.
· Stay away from yellow jacket nests once you know where they are located.
· If yellow jackets are seen entering and exiting a wall, DO NOT plug the hole. You will only force the wasps to find another way out. Sometimes they might actually eat through an interior wall and enter the house.

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	SUMMER
	FALL
	WINTER