Stinging Insect Pest Control Houston TX

Scientists utilize the term “stinging insect” to describe a group of insects with stinging capabilities. The wasp, honey bee, yellowjacket, hornet, and bumblebee make up this group. Stinging insects belong to the order Hymenoptera, which consists of both pollinators and non-pollinators. What most people find shocking is the ant species belongs to the Hymenoptera order as well. Experts do not recommend extermination or pest control for stinging insects unless they are exhibiting extreme aggression toward humans.

In Texas, the most commonly reported stinging insect sighting involves the carpenter bee, bald-faced hornet, paper wasp, yellowjacket, and honeybee species. Scientists have only successfully identified one hornet species in Texas. The baldfaced hornet is classified as a yellowjacket species.

How To Differentiate Between The Hornet, Yellowjacket, And Wasp

Every stinging insect species has unique physical characteristics that scientists utilize for identification purposes. Exterminators utilize the following to differentiate between the hornet, yellowjacket, and wasp:

• Nest location and appearance
• Physical characteristics

Paper Wasp Stinging Insect

Like most stinging insects, the paper wasp exhibits aggression when threatened. Otherwise, the insect is calm while erecting nests in the shape of an umbrella.

Nest Characteristics – The nest is described as looking like an upside-down umbrella. They are commonly found hanging on eaves, gates, overhangs, sheds, garages, and fence posts.

Physical Characteristics – Two of the most commonly reported sightings involve the Northern and European paper wasp species. The European paper wasp shares many of the same characteristics – black and yellow stripes, six legs, two slender wings, two antennas, and a tri-segmented body – as the yellowjacket. Northern paper wasp characteristics include a dark brown body with yellow stripes and abdominal yellowish/white stripes.

Yellowjacket Stinging Insect

The yellowjacket is slightly more aggressive than the paper wasp. Fall and summer seasons are when the yellowjacket’s aggression is at its highest.

Nest Characteristics – The nest has a holding capacity of at least 100,000, depending on the size. The construction is a mixture of materials similar to paper, with a black or gray tone. Nests are commonly found under decks and in shrubs near the ground floor.

Physical Characteristics – The body is black with yellow stripes. The head is a mixture of black and yellow while the legs are mostly yellow, with black antennas. The yellowjacket has the ability to soar through the sky because its legs are tucked upwards toward the body during flight.

Bald-Faced Hornet Stinging Insect

The bald-faced hornet exhibits a high level of aggression when under threat. The insect’s aggression level is reportedly higher in the fall and summer seasons, at which time the colony capacity is at the maximum level.

Nest Characteristics – The teardrop-shaped nest has a holding capacity of over 100,000 yellowjackets. They are most commonly found in bushes, trees, tall weeds, and shrubs.

Physical Characteristics – The body is black with unique white markings. When placed side-by-side the yellowjacket, the most significant difference is the thorax, abdomen, and head size, which is only slightly larger.

Honey Bee Stinging Insect

The honeybee’s aggression level is in the medium range. Some honeybee species exhibit low aggression even when humans are in the nearby vicinity.

Nest Characteristics – The round nest has walls of honeycombs that are filled with fresh honey. They are more commonly found in rock formation crevices, hollow openings in tree trunks, and reeds. Honeybee colony longevity is more extensive than nearly all of the stinging insects.

Physical Characteristics – The dark brown body is covered with tan hairs that have the appearance of “fuzz.” Like most stinging insect species, the stinger protrudes from the abdomen.

Carpenter Bee Stinging Insect

The carpenter bee’s aggression level is described as “low” when humans and animals are nearby.

Nest Characteristics – Nests are established inside of holes bored by the carpenter bee itself. They are commonly found in fence posts, eaves, abandoned buildings, wood siding, porch banisters, and deck railing.

Physical Characteristics – The segmented body is quite large. The lower portion is shiny black while the thorax is black with fine yellow hairs that appear to look “fuzzy.”

Should I Be Concerned For My Pets And Children?

The species that make up the stinging insect classification have the tendency to exhibit mild to severe aggression when under threat. These insects do not have the mental capacity to differentiate between a threat and an innocent passerby. For this reason, you should be concerned about young children in close proximity to a stinging insect nest. Children and pets are curious, meaning they may or may not have the mind to inspect the nest more closely. Many stinging insect species have a timid nature that prevents them from retaliating as much as a confident insect.

Stinging insects like the yellowjacket have reportedly attacked humans and animals in swarms. Some of these victims have reported dozens or more bites all over their bodies. In such cases, there is the risk of an allergic reaction, even worse, anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention.

Why Is There A Stinging Insect Nest In My Garden?

Stinging insects find a suitable location for their nest and immediately get to work. If your property became a target, it was most likely a coincidence.

What Is The Safest Way To Eradicate A Stinging Insect Nest?

Stinging insects are not much different than humans, when it comes to protecting their colony, especially their young. You must ask yourself, what would I do if my children came under threat by a black bear. This is exactly how stinging insects feel when a human or animal enters what they believe is their personal space. Unfortunately, DIY pesticides and insecticides will not have much impact on a medium or large stinging insect nest. The best you could do with over-the-counter pesticide is take down a tiny paper wasp nest.

Unlike many insect infestations, stinging insect problems pose a serious danger to young children and animals. Remember, the yellow jacket species has been shown to attack innocent passerby thinking they were a threat.

Does Stinging Insect Insecticides Have Health Risks?

Some insecticides do pose a health risk to humans and animals. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency has joined forces with pesticide manufacturers to minimize these risks. Today, it is possible to administer pesticides without harming the environment and putting humans at risk. EPA-approved insecticides are deemed “safe” as long as they are administered per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Is Stinging Insect Pest Control Affordable?

There are several factors that determine the final cost of pest control services. These include the following:

• Species type
• Property size
• Nest size and location
• Severity rating
• Treatment preference
• Disposal method

When Should I Expect The Exterminator To Arrive At My Home?

We can dispatch an exterminator out to your home within 24 to 48 hours of your initial pest control request, in most cases.

What Is The Proper Prevention Method For Stinging Insect Nests?

We offer a full array of pest prevention strategies, all of which target specific insect and rodent species. Each pest management strategy targets the insect species depopulation, deterrence options, treatment methods, visual inspection, and pest barriers. We highly recommend beginning the pest control journey with a visual inspection of your entire property. A large nest of stinging insects poses dangers for the occupants, visitors, and passerby.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.