Stinging
Insects: Bees, Wasps, Hornets, Yellowjackets
Least-Toxic
Options
Step One. Is it a Problem?
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Stinging insects include honey and other kinds of bees, many
types of wasps and hornets, and several species of yellowjackets.
Some types of ants, including fire ants, may also sting
animals and humans.
A stinging insect nest out of reach and away from buildings, doorways or
outdoor work or play areas may not be a problem. Many stinging
insects are beneficial, pollinating flowers and crops and preying on
pests including houseflies and garden-eating caterpillars. Carefully consider if the nest
presents a
danger.
If
a stinging insect lands on you, stay calm. Do not move
quickly. Stay still until it flies away, or gently brush it away
using slow movements and any handy object such as a piece or paper or
cardboard.
WARNING: Many
individuals are highly sensitive to stinging insect venom. A severe
reaction can lead to serious injury or death. Professional help in
dealing with stinging insect nests is highly recommended! Use the
information on the web page at your own risk.
Step Two. Inspection
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If
you have an ongoing problem, have the problem insect identified
accurately. Knowing which pest is the problem can help you learn
what the nest looks like, where to find nests, what attractants to avoid and other
useful information.
To
locate nests, attractants and other conditions that lead to stinging
insect problems, carefully inspect the area where the problem is
occurring. Nests may be located in the
ground, under eaves, and in attics, basements and spaces within walls. Ground nests
are often found in sheltered areas such as under shrubs, logs and rock
piles. Ground nest entrances may have a mound or area of bare
soil around the entrance hole. Attractants include flowing
plants, garbage, sweets and other exposed food and water sources.
During
daylight hours, entrance holes typically have insects frequently
flying in and out. Many
stinging insects travel long distances to find food and water, so the nests may not
necessarily be near where the problem is occurring.
Where
ongoing or frequent problems occur, a monthly inspection of buildings and grounds
for nests and attractive conditions can help keep problems under
control. See prevention
below for suggestions on what to look for, and how to correct these
conditions.
Step Three. Prevention ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintain and repair exterior surfaces of buildings to prevent access. Seal
holes in masonry, stucco, and siding, or around plumbing or electrical
entries. Repair or replace loose shingles, splintered or rotten
siding or fascia boards. Cover
attic, crawl space or other vents with fine mesh screen.
When outside, avoid
using perfumes, hair spray, sunscreen,
cosmetics, deodorants and shaving lotions which can be attractive to
stinging insects. Don't
wear brightly colored, patterned clothing when encounters with
stinging insects are likely. Do wear shoes.
Don't
squash wasps or yellow jackets. Squashing insects can release
chemicals that cause other stinging insects in the area to become
aggressive.
Stinging
insects can be attracted to food. When drinking outdoors, use
a lid and straw with sweet soft drinks and juices, or avoid drinking
them outside entirely. Snacks containing meat or sweets should
be kept in sealed containers.
Garbage cans, dumpsters, flowering
plants and pet food dishes can attract stinging insects. Keep
these away from doors and windows. Use
plastic trash can liners and keep the inside and outside of trashcans
clean. For outdoor garbage cans and
dumpsters, use tight-fitting or spring-fitted lids and keep these
closed, in good repair and clean inside and out. Empty outdoor trash cans and dumpsters frequently.
Rinse
recyclables before storing, and store in a sealed container.
Areas around outdoor trash cans and dumpsters should be
checked daily and kept clean and free of attractants.
Step 4. Least-Toxic,
Non-Chemical Options --------------------------------------------------------------------
Fly swatters can be used carefully to shoo or kill individual
stinging insects that wander into buildings and cannot be encouraged
to leave by opening doors or windows. Vacuums may also be
used to suck up individual insects.
Traps
are available for some species of yellowjackets. In many cases,
traps have not
been shown to be effective in reducing populations or problems.
Some experience suggests that trapping started in early spring and running all
season long, or trapping for several days prior to an event, can
reduce numbers and problems in a localized area. Traps are most effective
in capturing when competing attractants (food, garbage) are
not present.
Traps
generally use attractants such as baits. The bait is typically placed inside the trap.
Baits include pet food, meat, fish, sugar syrups, fruit or fruit
juice. Once entering the trap, insects can't escape. All
traps for stinging insects should be placed out of reach of
children. Here are examples of some of the traps available:
-
Victor® Yellow Jacket and Flying Insect Trap
-
Oak
Stump FarmTM
Yellow Jacket Wasp Trap
-
RESCUE!® Disposable Yellowjacket Trap
Physical
removal of nests. WARNING! Physical removal of nests is best left to professionals! Any disturbance to a nest
can trigger a mass attack. Special protective
clothing is required. Removal is best undertaken at night, when
the majority of the insects will be in the nest. The
following guidelines are provided for professionals - use at your own
risk!
Physical
removal by vacuuming
can be effective for nests in wall voids, attics, basements and in the
ground. Special
lightweight, powerful vacuums are available for this task.
Always
wear protective clothing such as a bee suit. Have some
cornstarch and a shovel handy. Vacuum removal of nests is a two-person
job.
First,
check for additional nest openings within a 40-
to 50-foot area around the main opening. Close these openings
with soil or other material. Hold the vacuum hose three to four inches from the
nest entrance to suck up insects as they fly from the nest.
While vacuuming and before the vacuum bag
is full, suck up two tablespoons of cornstarch. This will incapacitate the
insects inside the bag.
For
ground nests, once insects are no longer entering or leaving the nest,
with the vacuum still running, have your helper dig out the nest.
Vacuum up any remaining insects.
Once
you have vacuumed up all remaining insects and with the vacuum
still running, open up the vacuum and seal off the bag opening with
duct tape to prevent escapes. Then, turn off the vacuum, remove
the bag, seal in another thick plastic bag, and place in a freezer at least
overnight before disposing. Freezing will kill any remaining
insects.
Finally,
collect any nest fragments that may contain living larvae, place in thick plastic
bag and freeze at
least overnight before disposing.
Step 5. Least-Toxic Chemical Options
Use with Justification ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All pesticides can be hazardous and
should be used as a last resort, only when non-chemical measures are not
effective. Use of the following pesticide products may be
justified when non-chemical measures are not adequate to resolve a
problem. These products contain ingredients which meet our criteria for least
toxic. Warning.
Note:
For detailed product information, click on the product
name to link to the Pesticide Action Network Database. This option is
available for EPA- registered pesticides only.
Use with Restrictions
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Although
the ingredients in the following products meet our criteria for
least-toxic, these pesticides are dust
or aerosol
formulations. Dust and aerosol formulations should be used with the restrictions noted below
to reduce inhalation hazards. Warning.
Note: For
detailed product information, click on the product
name to link to the Pesticide Action Network Database. This option is
available for EPA- registered pesticides only.
Click here
to see a list of pesticides for stinging insects that do not meet
our criteria for least toxic.
