Wasps, commonly referred to as Hymenoptera in the scientific community, are the friends of nature no ones like to have around. Aggressive wasps in Texas seemingly attack without much reason but do you know where this behavior comes from? Wasps tend to get a bad rap because they’re angry, aggressive and bear painful stings, but wasps can be surprisingly helpful when it comes to pest control.
Though commonly found hovering over trash cans or around the canopies of your homes, wasps also target spiders, grasshoppers, caterpillars and more when searching for food. Some wasp species utilize their powerful stings to paralyze their prey before feeding on them, whereas other species prefer to feed on the dead flesh of other insects. Like grasshoppers and daddy long legs, wasps may be annoying, but they serve a definite purpose.
Mud Daubers
Mud daubers are one of the only non-aggressive species of wasps that not only avoid humans but also won’t actively defend their nests. This species of wasp tends to be docile around most humans and will only sting if they feel threatened.
Many wasps and even bees look similar, but mud daubers are easily distinguishable by their slender body proportions. These wasps are usually black in color but may have pale markings along their bodies.
Unlike a normal wasp nest, mud daubers build their nests with mud via one-inch-long tube-like structures. These nests are typically built close together and can be easily found in sheltered locations such as garages, sheds, and/or attics. If a mud nest has a rounded hole in it, this may signify that this nest is old and inactive.
Paper Wasps
his species of wasp is very social and tends to build nests out of paper like material. These wasps are slender, black in color with yellow markings and have trademark black wings.
It’s common to see this species milling around your home and they can be easily identified by the type of nest they build. Paper wasps build their nests with wood fibers that they chew down to a paper like material and shape into hexagonal craters throughout their nests. Unlike their docile cousins, the mud daubers, paper wasps are more aggressive but only attack when their nests are disturbed, or if they feel threatened.
Like many wasps, paper wasps provide a natural form of pest control by eating the other insects in the neighborhood. They are commonly attracted to things that resemble flowers such as perfumes or bright colors. With this species of wasp, the easiest way to prevent them from nesting around your home is to identify nests before they grow large. If you see a nest or many wasps flitting around your home, give us a call so we can inspect your home for hidden nests.
Mexican Honey Wasp
Another common species of Texas wasp that you may run across is the Mexican Honey Wasp. Surprisingly, this is one of the few species of wasps that can produce honey and pollinate some fruits such as avocado. Mexican honey wasps are non-aggressive and tend to leave humans be unless their nests are disturbed. Like paper wasps, these insects tend to build papery nests but instead of sticking close to your home, they tend to nest in shrubbery and trees. These nests typically resemble a paper balloon and are large enough to easily hold thousands of wasps.
Fun fact, though these wasps produce honey that’s like a honeybee’s, wasp honey may contain nectar from toxic plants that can prove fatal if ingested. So no, Texas, you probably won’t see this delicacy at your local grocery store. In short, these are not the friends you want around your home. If you start seeing an influx of striped yellow and black wasps, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call.
Asian Giant Hornets
The Asian Giant Hornet, aka the ‘Murder Hornet’ has been broadcast across news stations around the nation, sealing fear into our heart and indirectly encouraging social distancing efforts. These wasps are the largest species of wasp on record and are not commonly found in the U.S.
These approximately three-inch long horrors are very anti-human, tend to attack without much provocation and are a menace to bee colonies worldwide. These wasps nest in the ground and have an aggressive nature like that of rabid wolves.
The Asian giant hornet has a large stinger that delivers potent venom to its victims. This toxin can potentially dissolve flesh and may prove fatal if it delivers multiple stings. It doesn’t stop there. Twenty to thirty of these wasps are capable of killing off over five thousand bees. Luckily, these terrors have yet to grace the south with their presence but since they’ve been in the news, we wanted to give you some peace of mind that these guys are ones you probably won’t have to worry about here in Texas.
I think I found a wasp nest, what now?
As your family friendly local pest control company in the Plano area, the safety of your homes and families are our top priority. If you’re worried you have a wasp infestation, call us today. Though wasps can be a natural form of pest control, due to their aggressive behavior it’s important to take proper preventative measures. As the first key to proper and effective pest control is pest prevention, we understand how important it is to ensure that nests are removed safely and permanently.
Wasp Removal in Plano, McKinney and North Dallas
If you’ve spotted a large wasp in or around your home, don’t get stung, give us a call. This warrior species is wiping out bee colonies at such an alarming rate that local agricultural departments are taking extensive measures to eradicate these nests the moment they’re found. Here at Buckaroo Pest Protection, we want to ensure the safety of your family around such an aggressive species. Click here to sign up for a free whole home inspection or give us a call at (469) 598-0560 for more information. Check out our latest promos!
