The Sneaky Mistake That's Inviting Yellowjackets Into Your Yard

Hotter weather inevitably means you'll need to be on the lookout for unwanted pests around your home. This includes yellowjackets (Vespula spp. and Dolichovespula spp.), which tend to be most active in the summer and early fall months. Yellowjackets are classified as social wasps, which means they live together in large communities. Despite their benefits to the overall ecosystem, these yellow and black-striped flying insects sting, which can turn dangerous for people who are allergic to them. Yellowjackets' social nature also means that they look for food and places to nest in large numbers. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of accidentally leaving potential sources of food and shelter for yellowjackets in their outdoor spaces, enticing these stinging insects and mistakenly inviting the pests into their yard.

If you are actively trying to stop yellowjackets from invading your yard, you'll want to prevent them from seeing it as a good place to hang out and build nests. This all revolves around food. During nesting season in the summer months, yellowjackets are more likely to stick around areas where they can feed and then quickly fly back to their nests. Not only will certain foods invite yellowjackets to have a feast in your yard, but they're also more likely to build nests in the vicinity of these sources of sustenance, too. By eliminating foods they like to eat, you may be able to prevent these pesky visitors before they turn into a larger problem. It's also helpful to know how to spot a yellowjacket ground nest in your yard to prevent accidental encounters.

Meats and sugary foods like fruit, juices, candy, and soda are particularly problematic for attracting yellowjackets. Avoid leaving these types of foods uncovered and unattended. Keeping trash cans covered, sealing up compost bins, and picking up fallen fruit from trees can also help prevent unwanted yellowjackets from taking up residence in your yard. These insects tend to favor fruits like apples, raspberries, and grapes, so consider ways to protect fruit trees in your yard from getting ravaged by wasps.

Unfortunately, yellowjacket season often coincides with backyard grilling and picnic season. This doesn't mean you can't cook or eat outdoors, though. Just be sure to leave all foods covered in between mealtimes to help reduce the chances of attracting yellowjackets to your cookouts. This is especially important during the fall months when they might be looking for alternative food sources as flowering plants die off for the season. You can also prevent possible wasp hiding spots by cleaning up piles of mulch, discarding abandoned flower pots, and pruning thick shrubs.

Despite their social nature, yellowjackets do not hunt down humans or pets. They will only sting if they feel threatened, particularly if you've stumbled upon a nearby nest or a food source. Eliminating food sources will inevitably help you and your family avoid these accidental encounters. If you're at a point where you do have an active infestation in your yard, consider seeking the advice of a pest control professional to help get rid of yellowjackets.