Yellow Jacket

Identification

There are many species of yellow jackets, but two of the most common ones in Madison Wisconsin are the German yellow jacket and the eastern yellow jacket. They have some similarities and differences in their appearance and nesting habits.

German Yellow Jacket

• Yellow and black with a “diamond/spade” shape on the back
• 3/4 to 1 inch long
• 4 wings, 6 legs
• Large “ball” hive built in void nesting spaces
• Hive contains 1-15,000 adults

The German yellow jacket is an invasive species that was introduced to North America from Europe in the 1970s. They are often found in urban and suburban areas, where they build their nests in walls, eaves, or other protected spaces. Their nests are made of paper-like material that they chew from wood pulp. Their nests can grow to be as large as a beach ball and can contain thousands of workers and a single queen.

Eastern Yellow Jacket

• Yellow and black striped
• 3/4 of an inch long
• 4 wings, 6 legs
• Ball hive built in rodent burrows in ground
• Hive contains 1-5,000 adults

The eastern yellow jacket is a native species that is widely distributed across North America. They are often found in natural areas and they build their nests in the ground, usually in abandoned rodent burrows. Their nests are also made of paper-like material, but they are not exposed like the German yellow jacket’s nests. Their nests can contain up to 5,000 workers and a single queen.

Lifecycle

Yellow jackets go through complete metamorphosis, which means they have four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The lifecycle from egg to adult takes about 3-5 weeks.

The lifecycle begins when a single queen emerges from overwintering and starts building a nest. She lays her eggs and tends to them until they hatch into larvae. The larvae feed on chewed-up insects that the queen brings them. After several molts, the larvae spin cocoons and become pupae. The pupae then transform into adult workers, which are all sterile females.

The queen repeats the cycle of laying eggs, but the workers help her tend to the eggs, larvae, and pupae. The workers also forage for food, defend the nest, and expand the nest by adding more cells.

In late summer or early fall, reproductive males and females are produced and leave the nest. The males mate with the females and die soon after. The fertilized females, also known as new queens, find a place to overwinter and start a new colony the next spring.

Reproduction

The mating occurs in late summer or early fall when the reproductive males and females leave the nest and fly around in swarms. The males locate the females by following their pheromones (chemical signals). After mating, the females then look for a suitable place to overwinter, such as a crack or crevice. They will fertilize their eggs the next spring when they start a new colony.

Habitat

Yellow jackets can live in various habitats depending on their species and availability of resources. They prefer warm and sunny areas with plenty of food sources and nesting sites.

In nature, yellow jackets can be found in trees, bushes, meadows, and other places where they can find insects to feed on or wood pulp to build their nests.

In urban and suburban areas, yellow jackets can be found near human activities, such as dumpsters, stairwells, under railings and other places where they can find food scraps or shelter.

Yellow jackets can also be found around structures, such as houses, buildings, or fences. They can build their nests in peaks, cracks, crevices, or soffits of structures, which can lead to attics and basements. They can also build their nests in rodent burrows in the ground or in small cracks and crevices close to the ground.

Behavior

Yellow jackets are social insects that live in colonies with a queen and workers. They communicate with each other using pheromones and sound signals. They also have facial recognition and can distinguish their nest mates from intruders.

They are active during the day and rest at night. They forage for food, such as insects, fruits, nectar, or human food. They are attracted to sweet and protein-rich foods, especially in late summer when their natural food sources decline.

Yellow jackets are generally not aggressive unless they feel threatened, or their nest is disturbed. They will defend their nest vigorously by stinging the intruder repeatedly. They have smooth stingers that allow them to sting multiple times without losing their stingers. Their venom contains pheromones that alert other yellow jackets to join the attack.

Yellow jackets can pose a serious threat to humans and animals if they are allergic to their venom or if they are stung multiple times. The symptoms of a yellow jacket sting can include pain, swelling, redness, itching, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction). If you are stung by a yellow jacket, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Fun Facts

• Yellow jackets can fly up to 15 miles per hour and can travel up to a mile from their nest in search of food.
• Yellow jackets can live for 2-3 years in warmer climates where they do not experience harsh winters. In colder climates, only the new queens survive the winter and start a new colony the next spring.
• Yellow jackets are beneficial insects that help control pest populations by feeding on insects such as flies, caterpillars, beetles, and spiders. They also pollinate some plants by visiting flowers for nectar.

Yellow Jackets can be aggressive and dangerous to those with allergies. If you see yellow jackets nesting on your property, you should reach out to a professional pest control company immediately.  At Kwik Kill Pest Control, we have experienced technicians who are exceptional at dealing with many different insects and are a great resource for eliminating and preventing future insect problems. 

Call the Experts Today for an honest quote and evaluation to meet your specific needs!

Kwik Kill Services to control Yellow Jackets

• Wasp Elimination
• One-Time Pest Control Services
• Home Protection Program
• Insect & Rodent Combo Package

Additional Information:

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/beekeepers/fact-sheets-publications/yellow-jackets.html
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/yellowjackets
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/indoor/flies/large/yellowjackets.html