You would do anything to defend your home and the people inside it, correct? Most homeowners would. The only question is, what happens when someone else builds their home on your property? Are they in the right to defend their home from you? When it comes to wasps, the answer is a definitive, no. If you feel threatened, walking out into your yard because of dangerous wasps, we are here to help. Here are some things every Dallas homeowner ought to know about paper wasps.
What Sets Paper Wasps Apart
Paper wasps are a dime a dozen. With several different species of wasp all falling under the term "paper wasp," it can be difficult to tell them apart from other stinging insects, especially other wasps. One thing you can do to identify paper wasps is take a look at the nests they build. Unlike other stinging insects that build their nests out of honeycomb, paper waps build their nests out of, you guessed it, paper. This could be anything from tree bark to the colored paper you left on your table. Most commonly paper wasps build these nests hanging from a tree or beneath the eaves of a building. Some species of paper wasp such as yellow jackets build their nests inside holes underground. This is especially concerning, seeing how one wrong step through an underground nest could result in a full-blown stinger attack.
The Pros And Cons Of Paper Wasps
It might be hard to believe that paper wasps have pros. The truth is, they are very beneficial creatures for the environment. Just like honey bees, paper wasps are a big contributor to cross-pollinating which aids in the health of many different types of plant life. The only problem is that they tend to get a bit territorial. If a paper wasp feels its nest is being threatened, it will start an alarm to chase away the intruder. And, the later in the year it is, the more aggressive wasps tend to be. There have been some cases where wasps become upset if a person comes within several yards of their hive. As you can imagine, this can ruin outdoor gatherings.
How You Can Keep Paper Wasps Off Your Property
If your property is not already home to paper wasps there are some things you can do to keep it that way. Here are some prevention tips we recommend.
Pick up fruit that has dropped from trees in your yard.
Clean up thoroughly after outdoor gatherings.
If you feed your pets outdoors, pick up their food and water bowls right after they are done using them.
Keep your yard and landscaping well maintained at all times.
Fill in holes around your property.
Consider getting rid of flowers and other budding plants around your property.
In general, the less access paper wasps have to sweet and meaty foods, drinks, and plants on your property, the less likely they will be to settle down. Be vigilant to keep these attractants to a minimum.
What To Do If Wasps Settle Down
If wasps have already claimed a spot on your property as their own and you feel threatened by their presence, we are here to help. At Addison Pest Control, we have methods to safely eliminate wasps and their nests from properties. Before you grab a broom and try to knock down nests on your own, consider getting us involved. The last thing we want is for you to accidentally anger hundreds of insects which are each capable of stinging you multiple times.
Give us a call today to find out more about our wasp control services or to schedule an emergency wasps' nest removal visit for your Dallas property.