YELLOWJACKETS AND PAPER SACRAMENTO–YOLO MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT

Yellowjackets and paper wasps are benefi cial . They feed their young numerous insects that ordinarily damage shade trees and crops. They also kill countless fl ies and various other pest species. OFFICE LOCATIONS AND HOURS OF OPERATION While yellowjackets and paper wasps are often confused, they have some distinct differences. Yellowjackets are relatively short and stout compared to paper wasps. Paper Sacramento County wasps have longer, more slender bodies and dangling 8631 Bond Road legs. Yellowjacket are spherical and are enclosed in Elk Grove, CA 95624 a papery envelope with a small entrance hole. Paper Phone: 1-800-429-1022 nests are usually suspended from eaves or porch ceiling Fax: 916-685-5464 and look like tiny umbrellas fi lled with hexagonal cells. Web site: FIGHTtheBITE.net Hours: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Life Cycle Yolo County egg 1234 Fortna Avenue Woodland, CA 95695 Phone: 1-800-429-1022 adult Fax: 530-668-3403 Web site: FIGHTtheBITE.net Hours: 7:00 am to 3:30 pm

YELLOWJACKET CONTROL Depending on the type of yellowjacket, ENTRANCE In the summer months, foraging yellowjackets may become NEST COMBS SUPPORT they build aerial or subterranean a nuisance in parks, campgrounds and other areas. nests. Nests are built of wood fi bers Yellowjackets can be managed through: and consist of multiple stacked combs ENVELOPE completely enclosed by a paper Sanitation envelope, except for a small entrance. NEST ENTRY · Tightly cover garbage receptacles and move from eating Nests of most species are placed areas to reduce food available to foraging workers underground in rodent burrows or other soil cavities. · Eliminate standing water to help reduce the water available for cooling the nest and drinking Behavior Most of the time, yellowjackets are not aggressive and will Depletion Trapping not harm you if you stay out of their way. However, when While this method can help to reduce a nest is disturbed, yellowjackets will swarm and can infl ict foraging workers, it is not an effective method multiple stings that are painful and may be life threatening for eliminating yellowjackets. Commercially to individuals hypersensitive to the . available traps use a chemical lure to attract foraging workers into a container with a PAPER WASPS one way passage. Once inside, the insect cannot escape Paper wasps are social insects and dies. Traps should be placed in areas away from food that live in colonies containing and people. an alpha female, workers, and males. The European Paper CONTROL Wasp, dominulus, is Paper wasps may become a nuisance when they build a common to the Sacramento region. nest on or near your home. Every attempt should be made to limit suitable nest sites: Appearance · Repair holes in walls The is often mistaken for a · Caulk cracks in eaves yellowjacket because of its yellow and black coloration. · Screen vents and louvers One distinct difference is the orange-tipped antennae. Like other paper wasps, it is narrow-waisted, and during fl ight, NEST CONTROL FOR YELLOWJACKETS its legs trail below in an extended fashion. & PAPER WASPS Nests may require control when their Nest location becomes a problem. While Paper wasps build nests of there are products available on the YELLOWJACKETS wood fi ber and consist of a market, there is always a risk of Yellowjackets are social single comb not enclosed by an personal injury involved when treating insects that live in a nest envelope. Nests of the European yellowjacket nests. Call a private pest containing workers, queens paper wasp are often less than control company or your local vector control agency for and males. Two species are 100 cells in size but may be constructed of over 400 cells. recommendations. (Please note: Depletion trapping, as common in the Sacramento This wasp appears to be quite fl exible in selecting nesting used for yellowjackets, does not attract paper wasps and region, pensylvanica sites, including roof eaves, within meter boxes, bird houses, will not reduce their numbers.) and . outdoor grills, benches and within shrubbery. FIRST AID FOR STINGS Appearance Behavior For any sting: Yellowjackets are medium sized black wasps with yellow European paper wasps are more easily provoked than · Wash with soap and cold water markings and black or yellow antennae. Workers are other wasps, and will more readily sting when someone For allergic reactions: usually about a ½ inch long and appear short and stocky nears their nest. An unsuspecting homeowner may be · Seek immediate medical care while the queen is larger at about ¾ of an inch. Workers stung, for instance, when attempting to change an outdoor For multiple stings or hypersensitive persons: are often confused with honey , but in contrast, are not light bulb, opening a gate, or while gardening. European · Seek immediate medical care covered with dense hair on their bodies. paper wasps, like other wasps, can sting repeatedly. · Do not wait for symptoms to develop