Stinging Insect Identification & Prevention

What Are Stinging Insects?

There are many different types of stinging insects found living throughout the United States. Bees, yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets are a few common examples. Stinging insects are beneficial to the environment as the predatory species hunt down and feed on many different species of nuisance insects, helping to keep their populations down. In addition, many species of bees and other stinging insects are responsible for pollinating a variety of plants, flowers, and crops, which plays a huge part in the ecosystem.

Are Stinging Insects Dangerous?

Stinging insects are most active at the end of the summer and beginning of early fall, when their colonies are at peak numbers and are out frantically foraging for food. Not all species of stinging insects are aggressive, but many are. However, all species of stinging insects will defend themselves or their nests by delivering painful stings when necessary. For the most part, stinging insects are considered dangerous because their venom is powerful enough to trigger allergic reactions or sometimes even anaphylaxis, which is a serious and sometimes even life-threatening allergic reaction that will require medical attention.

Why Do I Have a Stinging Insect Problem?

Stinging insects are attracted to properties that provide them with the things they need to survive, thrive, and grow their populations, typically in the form of food and water sources and sheltered areas to build their nests. Depending on their exact species, they may feed on insects, proteins, nectar, sweets, and honeydew. In addition, stinging insects are attracted to properties that give them access to open trash cans, compost piles, gardens or fruit trees, flowering vegetation, clogged gutters, bird baths, and ponds.

Where Will I Find Stinging Insects?

Stinging insects will build their nests in a variety of locations as long as they are provided with the appropriate protection and shelter. Some species of stinging insects are considered ground nesters while others have been deemed aerial nesters, and some will nest both in the ground and in higher locations. Once on your property, these pests will create their nests in rock crevices, on rock overhangs, and under porches, decks, and roof eaves and can also be found inside attics, crawl spaces, and in outbuildings like barns, sheds, and garages. In addition, you may also find their nests around your property in and on trees and on utility poles.

How Do I Get Rid of Stinging Insects?

To eliminate the stinging insects found on your property or inside your home, it is best to partner with a pest control professional like us at Acadia Pest Control. Our dedicated experts will provide the quality home pest control services needed to find and completely eliminate those stinging insects in the safest manner possible.

Here at Acadia, we're committed to using only the best products on the market to get rid of stinging insects and other household pests. Once we've eliminated those pests, we'll prevent their return through our guaranteed Quarterly Perimeter Service. To learn more about eliminating stinging insects from your Ellsworth home, reach out to us!

How Can I Prevent Stinging Insects in the Future?

Keeping stinging insects off your property and out of your Ellsworth home can be difficult and stressful. There are some things you can do to deter them from your home and property. 

To keep stinging insects from finding their way into your home, try the following tips:

• Seal all exterior entry points.
• Caulk any cracks and crevices in your home's foundation and exterior walls.
• Make sure all door and window screens are intact.
• Place caps on your chimneys.
• Install weather stripping around windows and doors.
• Locate garden areas and wood piles a distance away from the outside of your home.
• Remove overgrown vegetation and piles of debris from your property.
• Trim back tree limbs away from the exterior of your home.
• Remove water sources by maintaining gutters and fixing leaky outdoor fixtures and hoses.