Wasps are a widely diverse group of insects. There are roughly 30,000 identified species across the world, and about 4,000 known species in the U.S. Luckily, there are only a few species that are considered common pests to Salt Lake City, UT property owners.
Many humans, pets, and wild animals have developed a perfectly understandable fear of wasps. There is nothing enjoyable about dealing with their aggressive behavior and painful stings.
It can be difficult to avoid wasps on your property when they are busy building nests around your home or business. If you’ve discovered a stinging pest nest, it’s time to reach out to a professional pest control specialist for your Salt Lake City property.
Wasp Identification
Wasps are winged insects that have biting mouthparts and segmented antennae. Given the countless number of species, wasps can come in an array of sizes and colors. Stinging wasps are typically known to have brighter colored markings than other species.
Wasps are often confused with similar looking insects such as bees. There are a handful of ways to differentiate the two, including:
Wasps have pointed lower abdomens and a narrow “waist” that separates the abdomen from the thorax.
Bees tend to have a considerable amount of body hair compared to wasps.
Wasps are far more aggressive than most stinging insects and are most likely to sting without provocation.
Bees secrete a waxy substance to construct nests, while wasps build their nests from chewed wood fibers.
Another differentiation between wasps and bees is the predatory nature of the wasp family. Wasps feed on nectar, but they also enjoy eating other insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and flies. This behavior is viewed as beneficial because it reduces insect populations around your property.
Unfortunately, the benefits of stinging pests on your property may be outweighed by the risks associated with wasps in Salt Lake City.
Threats That Wasps Can Pose To Humans
Removing a wasp nest may seem like a fairly harmless activity, but wasps are extremely hostile and territorial. Anyone in the vicinity of a nest will be perceived as a threat and find themselves under attack.
When wasps protect their nest, they will swarm in large numbers and attack with repeated stings. Under the wrong conditions, an encounter with wasps is not only dangerous, it can also be life-threatening.
Those with stinging insect allergies are most at risk, but the health of people without allergies can also be affected if they receive multiple stings. More than half a million people are sent to the emergency room each year for stinging insect-related injuries.
Do not attempt to remove a wasp nest on your own, even if you believe it to be inactive. Contact your local pest control professionals to assist you with a safe and proper removal.
Wasp Prevention Tips
When you want to prevent any pest, you need to start by making your property less attractive to them. Here are few tips to help you avoid the presence of wasps and their nests around your home or business:
Avoid over-planting flowering vegetation on your property.
Eliminate standing water sources around your property.
Inspect shrubs, trees, sheds, and other structures for nests, including ceilings, eaves, decks, rafters, porches, and railings.
Regularly maintain shrubs, hedges, and fruit trees with caution.
Remove fallen trees, logs, and tree stumps from property.
When eating outdoors, keep food covered and thoroughly clean up afterwards.
Secure trash, recycling, and compost bins with tight-fitting lids.
The Safest Way To Eliminate Wasps
Teaming up with Pest Pro Pest Control is the safest way to eliminate your wasp worries. We have been proudly serving Salt Lake City, UT and the surrounding areas with more than a decade of experience in the pest control industry.
Pest Pro Pest Control is a family-run business with a mission to protect the health and safety of our community. We provide our customers with flexible scheduling, customized plans, exceptional service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Contact us today to schedule your free inspection. Our team is ready to deliver the results you expect from a professional pest control company.