Bees, Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets Pest Control Services in NJ
Stinging Insects Pest Control and Removal Services
Bergen County, NJ, and Surrounding Areas
It's important to note that stinging bugs (Bald-Faced Hornets, Yellowjackets, Wasps, Bees, and others), although they serve essential ecological roles, can pose a threat if their nests are located near human activity or if an individual has an allergy to their venom.
If you're experiencing issues with stinging insects, it's advisable to seek the assistance of a professional exterminator, such as Insetti Pest Services, to safely and effectively address the problem.
Remember, the longer you wait, the worse your pest problems will get!
Types of Stinging Insects In Bergen County, NJ, and Surrounding Areas
The most common types of stinging insects we encounter in Bergen County and surrounding counties are Hornets, Wasps, and Bees variations.
However, there are only two specific types of stinging insects that you need to be concerned about Bald-Faced Hornets and Yellowjackets.
Sounds dangerous! How do I identify a Bald-Faced Hornet?
While frequently encountered in Bergen County, NJ, bald-faced hornets are not true hornets. They're in the wasp family and are a black and white yellowjacket species.
The bald-faced hornet gets its name from the black-and-white coloring on the front of its head and the tip of its abdomen. Its head is primarily white with black eyes. They range from 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long, with the queen reaching 3/4 of an inch. Their wings are translucent dark brown.
Creepy! How do I identify a Bald-Faced Hornet's Nest?
Bald-faced hornets construct large paper nests. Usually in trees or shrubs, on the sides of houses, under the eaves of a building, or in any other protected location. Nests are located at least three feet off the ground but are often much higher up.
Near the end of Spring, a pregnant bald-faced hornet female lays her eggs. Those eggs hatch into hornets who build the nest.
In early Summer, the nest may be the size of a tennis ball, but depending on weather conditions, the nest is likely twice the size of a softball by mid-Summer.
By late Summer, the nest will reach the size of a basketball.
The nest is gray and ball-shaped and can reach three feet in height. It is constructed of wood fiber mixed with saliva and resembles paper.
A single opening in the bottom of the nest allows the wasps to enter and leave. Rotting wood usually provides the building material for the nests.
Bald-faced hornets will be very defensive if their nests are disturbed.
I think it may be something else. How do I identify a Yellowjacket?
The Yellowjacket is common species of wasp found in Bergen County and is commonly mistaken for a bee.
Wasps can be identified by their distinct slender bodies and often have a yellow and black coloration.
A typical Yellowjacket worker is about ½-inch long. They have alternating black and yellow bands on the abdomen (the black and yellow patterns on the waist help separate various species).
Queens are larger, approximately ¾-inch long. They can be more aggressive than bees and build paper nests in various locations. Yellowjacket nest locations include wall voids of buildings, hollow trees, logs, and attics, as well as underground or on other structures. The nest has a single entrance, usually no larger than the size of a nickel.
The queens emerge in the first warm days of Spring to select a nest site to lay eggs, and the worker population grows to maximum size in late Summer and early Fall.
Yellow jackets will likely sting in late Summer or early Fall when their nests reach maximum size.
Why have these stinging insects chosen my property to nest?!
Yellowjackets, wasps, and bald-faced hornets are attracted to your home for several reasons:
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Food sources: These stinging insects are attracted to food and sweet substances.
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Fragrances: These insects have a keen sense of smell and may be lured by scents in your garden or home.
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Nests: If there are existing wasp or hornet nests on your property, it can attract more of these insects. Once a nest is established, it releases chemical signals that attract other individuals of the same species, increasing the likelihood of further infestation.
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Sheltered areas: They may be attracted to overhangs, eaves, attics, sheds, or other structures that protect them from the elements.
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Water sources: Insects require water for survival. If you have leaky outdoor faucets, standing water, or open containers with water, they can serve as a water source and attract these pests.
I have identified Bald-faced or Hornets or Yellowjackets on my property! What should I do?
First, let's talk about WHAT NOT TO DO!
With all the best intentions, the most common thing a homeowner will do is try to spray or treat the nest themselves. The spray smells awful, causing the insects to fall out of their nest. From there, the insects find a way to escape the awful smell and venture into your home. This is something you definitely do not want.
Please do not attempt to light the nest on fire, hit it with a bat, or wrap it inside a bag or other material. Bald-faced Hornets and Yellowjackets aggressively defend their homes. They will attack and sting you without stopping.
Ok, ok, I put the bat away. Now, what should I do if I see a Bald-faced Hornet or Yellowjacket?
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If these stinging insects are not in high-traffic areas with human activity, you should leave them alone since they benefit the ecosystem. However, if their nest is near human activity, you need to contact us immediately.
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Try to find the nest before they get too big but do not come close to it. It's much easier for us to take care of a small nest before the queen creates a large colony to defend it. It doesn't take much to set off a swarm of these insects. Be careful because walking too close can cause them to attack.
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Contact Insetti Pest Services at 201-350-7931 to safely and effectively address the problem. We serve all of Bergen County and surrounding counties and towns, including Elmwood Park, Hackensack, Paramus, Englewood, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Garfield, Bergenfield, Mahwah, and all surrounding towns and counties.
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For safety, it's essential to involve a pest professional when removing ANY stinging insect problem.
What will Insetti Pest Services do?
First, we will come to take a look around and locate the nest. In Bergen County, these insects survive all year round. They will continue building that nest until you find and remove them.
For Bald-Faced Hornets, we will inject the nest with aerosol. Once the stinging insects are under control, we clip the nest down and remove it. For the rest of the day, some remaining insects will hover around. They should be completely gone within ten days. We offer a 45-day guarantee on our services.
For Yellowjackets, we will use a long skinny straw tip to inject aerosol into the nest. We then treat the area with residual dust.
We do not remove the nest because it is inside the wall void. Yellowjackets only build outside if the nest inside is expanding to the outside from the inside. The treated nest will remain intact, and it will stay there inactive and harmless. The insects should be completely gone within ten days. We offer a 45-day guarantee on our services.
By implementing these preventative measures and seeking the assistance of Insetti Pest Services in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, you can reduce the likelihood of wasps and hornets being attracted to your home and ensure a pest-free environment.
Got it! What about other stinging insects that I find on my property?
Honeybees and bumblebees assist in the pollination of our food crops. They spread their pollen, producing high-quality fruits and vegetables.
Honeybees are not aggressive and typically only sting in self-defense. However, honeybee stings hurt and can be life-threatening.
Bumblebees are less defensive than honeybees, but female queens and workers can sting, and because their stingers have no barbs; they can sting multiple times. A bumblebee sting isn't usually as painful as a honeybee sting but can be dangerous to those who are allergic.
Avoiding areas where honeybees and bumblebees are pollinating and their hives are the best ways to prevent encounters with these stinging insects. Just let them do their thing and try not to bug out.
Honeybees and bumblebees need our help to survive. If you think you have a beehive on your property, call a local beekeeper, and they will come to identify and remove them. Insetti Pest Control can recommend a local beekeeper.
If you are unsure about which stinging insect you see, please call Insetti Pest Control immediately before taking action. We will identify, inspect, and properly remove the insects.
What can I do to prevent my home from an invasion of stinging insects?
For protection against stinging insects, our Insetti Home Protection Plan is the perfect solution. Our Insetti Home Protection Plan provides year-round pest control services for common household pests, and our residential and commercial service plans include coverage for stinging insects.
Don't let these pests suck the fun out of your backyard! Call Insetti Pest Control today for a free assessment of your property.