Yellowjackets - How To Reduce An Infestation

Yellowjackets are very aggressive insects that, when threated, has the ability to inflict very painful stings to its victim multiple times. Its best to stay clear away from them, but just as important, property owners and managers must prevent an infestation.

Yellowjackets resemble Honey Bees because of their similar size and color, however unlike honey bees, yellowjackets are hairless.

There are about 16 species in North America, but three species - the eastern yellowjacket, the southern yellowjacket and the German yellowjacket are the main causes for concern to humans. Depending on the species, the adult workers are about 3/8-5/8" long, but the queens are about 25% larger.

What You Need To Know -  Yellowjackets are seen during the summer months but can be much more visible and in greater numbers in the late summer and early fall season. There are many things that will attract these pests onto properties such as:

1. Overgrown vegetation - if grass, shrubs and bushes are overgrown this will become an ideal area for them to build their nests, either in the dirt or on the shrubs and bushes. This becomes a real problem when people or pets come near the area. It too presents a stinging problem when someone attempts to do any landscaping in the area. So it's important to keep landscapes in good condition.

2. Building Maintenance - building maintenance is very important, since these insects like to nest in open wall voids, such as loose siding, gaps in outside molding, unrepaired or loose brick work, loose facia boards, openings in PVC fences etc. The point is keeping the outside building in good repair will help keep yellowjackets and other stinging insects from nesting on the structure.

3, Garbage - during the late summer into early fall, yellowjackets change their diets to sugar and fatty foods. Keep in mind however that they are opportunistic and will eat whatever is available such as ripe fruit, meat, sweets and garbage. This makes them especially a problem with outdoor eating. They are also found around garbage dumpsters and trash compactors at commercial properties. 

Keeping the inside of garbage cans clean, as well as the lids fully closed will help keep them away, Garbage dumpsters and trash compactors should be cleaned regularly- including scummy build up. In addition to this, keeping the garbage area clean from food scrapes, and liquid spills will help prevent and infestation.

                                                                              

4. Perfumes and Colognes -  yellowjackets are attracted to the scent of perfume and colognes. So  during the warm months be aware that perfumes and colognes can result in yellowjackets flying around and following you when outside. When you start to swat at them is when they often go into attack mode.

Taking practical steps can help avoid an infestation and attacks from yellowjackets.

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Yellow Jackets - Can Be A Stinging Problem

Yellow Jackets are social wasps. In the North America there are about 18 different species.
  During the summer of 2020, and heading into the fall season, an increased activity of Yellow Jackets has been noticed throughout the region. 

Yellow Jackets are considered beneficial insects because they mostly prey on various insects that are considered pests during the summer. But in the late summer and early fall they switch their diet to sugars like fruit and sweet drinks, but they are opportunistic and will eat whatever food is available, even raw meat.

Yellow Jackets can become  a stinging problem when they nest in or around structures. Areas where they commonly make their nests around structures are open voids in siding, soffits, loose or open bricks, facia boards, open ends of plastic fences and shrubs and bushes.

They also nest in the ground by selecting bare areas of vegetation, or they will clear an area around the entrance.

 Because they build their nests in these areas, they become a real stinging threat to people. And what makes them especially dangerous is a single yellow jackets ability to sting multiple times.

Because yellow jackets live in large colonies, this too makes them a stinging threat to people. They are a very organized colony with entrance guards. When people and/or pets come to close to the entrance, the entrance guards will fly close to the perceived threat and can inflict very painful stings that often require quick medical attention.

Our next post will feature what you can do to reduce your chance of an infestation, and what you should do if you have an infestation on or near your property.

If you're anywhere in the boroughs of  Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, 

Manhattan or you live or have a business in Long Island - Make an                                      online appointment

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Cockroaches - A Threat To Human Health

 Cockroaches are a continuing topic of discussion as one of the major pests that invade homes and commercial establishments such as restaurants, supermarkets, including food processing plants and even hospitals in the five boroughs in New York and Long Island. In addition to being one of the most common pests, they are one of the most difficult to control in our communities! They will continue to be problematic as long as sanitation issues along with crowed living conditions exist in our neighborhoods.

Worldwide, approximately 4,500 species of cockroaches have been discovered, but about 70 species are found in the United States. Out of the 70, German Cockroaches are the most common type found within structures. Not only are they a nuisance but they, like all inner city roaches, are responsible for spreading germs and illness like asthma, leprosy, urinary tract infections, conjunctivitis, and food poisoning just to mention a few.

What's In Your Kitchen?

                            

What makes cockroaches such a formidable foe is its high reproduction rate and adaptability within structures. They are mostly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements in both homes and businesses. Infested areas include cabinets, behind refrigerators, under sinks, baseboards, loose wallpaper, furniture etc. They can also be found in bathrooms in high numbers because of water and moisture.

Any crack or crevice located near a source of food and/or water is prime harborages, and they spend nearly 75% of their time in these harborage areas. If roaches are seen during the day in high numbers, this is an indication of a bad or high infestation. Most home owners and business owners/managers report sightings of roaches at night, often seeing them scatter when the lights are turned on.

Another challenge they present is the fact that they have an expanding diet. Not only do they eat what we eat, but they also eat glue from wallpaper, hair, soap and toothpaste! When they crawl on food, food surfaces and cleaning material and utensils the spread of germs and diseases usually follows.

But don't worry! If you suspect you have an infestation in your home or commercial property call us, we have what it takes to get rid of roaches - for good!

EM Pest Control, Inc.

www.empestcontrol.com

516-491-2768

516-455-6742

Brooklyn and Bronx: 646-523-4037