Watch Out for those Yellow Jackets!

The cooler weather has us all wanting to spend time outdoors before the winter months sneak their way in. After all, the crisp cool breeze and changing colors of the leaves are best enjoyed outside. But we're not the only ones taking advantage of the cooler temps. In fact, there are several species scrimmaging to prepare for the winter months. But one that proves to be a major nuisance to humans every fall is the yellow jacket!

Yellow Jacket Habits
Yellow jackets are most active in the late summer and early fall. They can become increasingly aggressive in gathering food and are more likely to sting during this time. Since food is such a primary concern for the majority of yellow jackets, the workers can get territorial and become agitated as cooler weather approaches in autumn. Instinct tells them that scavenging for food and a safe place to wait out the winter is literally a matter of life and death.

Most yellow jackets have a short life cycle simply because most nests are primarily built exposed to the elements and they can’t survive winter. However, if yellow jackets have discovered an area inhabited by humans, their nests can last for years if undisturbed since they can be built in the cracks of our businesses, houses, sheds, and foundations. If the yellow jackets find a place to stay warm and protected from the elements, their nest can grow quite enormously and can house multiple queens!

Avoid Getting Stung
If you happen to come across a nest of yellow jackets, cover your face and walk away from the nest slowly. Fast movements can attract more yellow jackets, resulting in more stings. You should also avoid squashing a yellow jacket outdoors. When crushed, yellow jackets emit a type of hormone that causes them to alert other nearby yellow jackets to attack. Killing one yellow jacket could lead to further stings.

Treating a Sting
If you do get stung, and you have only a mild reaction to the sting, you can treat it with an over-the-counter cream such as hydrocortisone or put a cold compress on it to reduce swelling. If someone who is allergic gets stung, the sting could cause severe allergic reactions that require the use of an EpiPen. Some have life threatening reactions that require immediate medical attention. This is known as an anaphylactic reaction. It's important to keep an eye on the sting. If a sting reaction gets worse over time instead of better, a person should seek medical treatment. Infection usually sets in about 24 to 48 hours after a person has been stung.

Get Rid of Your Yellow Jacket Infestation
If you've found a colony of yellow jackets invading your home, it's best to steer clear and contact a professional Lake of the Ozarks pest control company. Ignoring the nests could cause potentially damage to your property as well as risking the health of you, your family and your pets. Multiple stings can be deadly, especially if one is allergic. Contact a professional team that understands how to safely dispose of your yellow jacket problem. Call A B Pest Control & Insulation and rest easy knowing that your Yellow Jacket infestation will be taken care of!

LAKE OF THE OZARKS
PEST CONTROL COMPANY

Visit Our Website:
www.abpest.net

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