Things to know about yellow jackets in the fall

Yellow Jackets are aggressive insects with an unbearable sting and bite. Each insect can sting multiple times. These yellow and black insect species are generally found in North America. Yellow Jackets are found habitat in deep tree logs or wall cracks in the house. These nests are difficult to locate as the entrance is very small to be noted. The Yellow Jacket workers hunt for food within an area of 1000 feet from their nests.

In fall, most of the stinging insects become aggressive and mean. The bellicosity varies depending on the species and habitat. The yellow jackets mate late in the year and the fertilized Queen yellow jackets search for places to hibernate. The male and worker yellow jackets perish at the starting of winter. But these female Queens wait and begin to lay eggs during the spring. They will not reuse the same nest for launching the new colony as it will be large and already established. The terrible part is that the location is unknown.

Facts about yellow jackets

Yellow Jackets are beneficial is some kind. They feed on the rotting perishables that can lead to plant diseases. They go hunting for hose fly larvae. They also go nuts their brood insects like flies, caterpillar, aphids, etc. which can cause damage to crops. They are great hunters rather than good pollinators like honeybees. They construct their colony underground which is made up of tunnels and has a splendid architecture that you will never locate anywhere in the world. They are a group of social wasps, living in families just like honeybees and are quite protective because of the larger group as they are easily predated by bears and skunks. Since their nests are usually in the ground level when compared to honey bees, they are easily attracted by these mammals. Thus protective and capable of stinging multiple times.

What makes yellow jackets aggressive in fall?

By the end of summer, there is a decrease in the insect larvae count this becomes challenging for yellow jackets and they go scavenging for food. They generally prefer sugar and meat. The sugar serves as an energy boost for the worker to keep moving on and meat provides protein for the larvae to grow. So you are more likely to get stung at this time. You can find them bussing around the barbecues and hamburgers for meat. They are also attracted for candies, juices, sweets and sodas. Whenever you see a few of them bussing around try to locate their nest and also destroy it. If you are stung near a yellow jacket nest first try to move away as they can signal other co-workers to attack you. The two reasons for their aggressiveness are scavenging for food where they come in contact with human and being disturbed.

Difference between honeybees and yellow jackets

Often these bellicose yellow jackets are mistaken for honeybees as they look alike. Here is how you can easily distinguish them.

·        Yellow Jackets are mostly wasps and skilled for multiple stinging whereas in honey bees once they sting their stinging element gets detached and the bee perishes.

·        Both are likely similar in colour but yellow jackets have a brighter and shining yellow and black body and their waist is thin and hairless more like a wasp. Honeybees are a little dull and hairy with a bulged body.

·        Yellow Jackets usually nest underground bellow tree logs or wall cracks, but bees are found nesting in higher ground levels.

·        Usually, yellow jackets are found moving in and out of their nest, but honeybees don't.

Conclusion

Now you know about yellow jackets and the reasons behind their aggressive in fall. So, try not to come in contact with them and do not disturb them in any way.