Stinging Insects

Stinging insects create immense problems for residents of Baltimore, Maryland. These pests can sting people and pests. Therefore, it is pertinent to find a safe, effective way to eradicate them as quickly as possible. In Baltimore, there are many stinging insects, including hornets, wasps, bees, and yellowjackets. All stinging insects belong to the Hymenoptera order. Surprisingly, the order is also home to ants. Although they’ll create problems for you, it is best to leave them alone when you find them away from your home. When they’re not harming people or their properties, they help the environment because they’re helpful pollinators.

The most common stinging insect species in our area include bald-faced hornets, yellowjackets, honeybees, carpenter bees, and paper wasps. You’ll want to learn as much as you can about these stinging insects so you can deal with the problem promptly.

Which Stinging Insect Lives On Your Property?

Ultimately, it is pertinent to learn how to identify stinging insects. The best way to achieve this goal is by looking at the pest’s appearance. You’ll also want to judge the insect depending on the size and appearance of its nest. Below, you’ll find out more about stinging insects, their appearances, and their nests.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps are moderately aggressive when compared to other common species. In general, paper wasps generally don’t create problems for people. Stay away from their nest and near reach toward them. Otherwise, you will get stung. A paper wasp will build small, gray nests. Their nests have a unique honeycomb pattern that makes them easy to identify. Although they’ll build nests elsewhere, most of them are found under overhangs and eaves.

There are several species of paper wasps in our area. You’ll encounter European Paper Wasps. These stinging pests have black and yellow stripes. Their antennas are orange. It looks a lot like a yellowjacket but the European Paper Wasps is bigger. It also has longer back legs. Baltimore is also home to Northern Paper Wasps. They have a few dark orange spots on their brown body. On their abdomens, you’ll find stripes that are white or yellow.

Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets are one of the most aggressive stinging insects in our area. The colony gets bigger in late fall and summer. As this happens, the yellowjackets become more aggressive. It is best to stay away from their nests from late summer to early fall. A yellowjacket nest can house thousands of individuals.  A material that resembles paper covers their nests. It is normally black or gray. Yellowjacket nests are frequently found under porches and in attics. Some species build underground nests which are difficult to spot and avoid.

Yellowjackets have yellow and black stripes on their bellies. Yellowjackets are incredibly fast. As they soar through the air, their legs are going to be tightly tucked against their bodies.

Bald-Faced Hornets

Bald-faced hornets are similar to yellowjackets because both are very aggressive. As the colony gets larger in late fall and summer, the pest gets more aggressive. It is best to stay away from oversized nests. Their nests are large enough to support thousands of bald-faced hornets. Bald-faced hornets build nests that look like teardrops that have been flipped upside-down. They’re commonly found on building sides and trees. As for bald-faced hornets, they have smooth bodies that are white and black.

Honeybees

Honeybees are less aggressive than other members of the stinging insect family. Some people breed honeybees to ensure they do not sting. You can likely approach a honeybee nest without getting stung. Honeybees build unique nests using wax. They place their nests on walls and rock crevices. Their round nests appear to have a honeycomb design. These pests tend to use the same nest for multiple years. To achieve this goal, they have to store honey so they’ll have food to consume during the cold winter months.

Honeybees have fuzzy, brown bodies. They’re either orange or yellow.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are less aggressive than other members of the stinging insect family. Their nests can be approached without problems. Carpenter bees build unique holes in wood surfaces. They’ll bore out holes that are three-eighths of an inch in diameter. Once the hole is bored, the carpenter bee will use it to care for its offspring. These bees closely resemble bumblebees but they’re slightly larger. The species in our area have a fuzzy thorax that is black and yellow. As for its abdomen, it is shiny, hairless, and black. Carpenter bees with small yellow spots on their faces are male members of the species.

Primary Stinging Insect Dangers

You’re likely worried about the dangers linked to stinging insects. You should be. Stinging insects sting people and pets. Some of them are more dangerous than others. With that being said, you have to understand that the dangers involved depend on the species. Some are more dangerous than others. You’ll also find that male stinging insects aren’t dangerous because they can’t sting people. If you’re worried about the risks, you should take a look at the stinging insect’s nest. If it is larger than usual, the pest is going to be more aggressive. If you find a wasp by itself, it’ll be less aggressive than insects around their nests. Don’t get too close to their nest and you won’t get stung.

Finally, you have to worry about ground nests. They’re difficult to see so it’ll be harder to avoid them. Some stinging insects can sting their victims multiple times. They can be incredibly dangerous but they’re usually not.

Reasons You Have Stinging Insects

There is no exact reason why stinging insects have invaded your property. They can do so for numerous reasons. However, they primarily invade residential and commercial properties because they’re looking for places to build nests.

Eliminate A Stinging Insect Nest

You can’t delay getting rid of stinging insects but you can’t act haphazardly either. You need to think outside of the box and identify a safe, effective solution. Otherwise, you’re going to expose yourself to numerous risks. Certain do-it-yourself products can eliminate stinging insects. Although these products work, there are risks involved. When you use these products, there is a risk that you’re going to get stung. As soon as you spray the nest, there is a risk that the stinging insects are going to come after you. One way to minimize the risk is by waiting until the sun goes down. When you do, the stinging insects will be less aggressive.

Still, this won’t stop them. They can still sting. Therefore, the best way to tackle the problem is by teaming up with a qualified exterminator in Baltimore. Contact our office so we can take care of this issue for you.

The Safest Stinging Insect Treatments

We’re ready to work hard to help you tackle the problem. We strive to be leaders in the industry. Our technicians are trained to use the latest and most effective pest control techniques. We only use products that are EPA-registered because we want to keep you safe. We’ll follow strict protocols to ensure that you’re going to be protected every step of the way. Our EPA-registered solutions can fix the problem while keeping you safe during and after the procedure. We’ll do what we can to minimize the risks posed to people and pets.

The Cost Of Our Stinging Insect Treatments

We know that you’re worried about the price of our services. You have to know that we’re going to charge based on several factors, including the type of stinging insect you have. In addition to this, the price will depend on the size of your property, the nest’s size, and where the nest is located. We’ll analyze the situation and find out what is going on. Then, we’ll give you a bid price so you’ll know what you’re going to pay.

When Can The Extermination Begin?

When you’re ready to tackle this problem, contact our Baltimore office. Someone with our company will get back to you within 24 to 48 hours. During the call, we’ll give you a quote and help you schedule an appointment.

Preventing Stinging Insects From Invading

Try to do what you can to keep stinging insects from invading your property. It won’t be easy, but you can minimize the risk. For instance, you should properly stain or paint the wood surfaces around your home. Doing so will make your property less attractive. Don’t forget to take advantage of our home service program.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.