No one wants to deal with pests around their Raleigh, North Carolina home, but some posts are much more upsetting to encounter than others. Wasps are a pest that people fear coming across because of their venomous stings. These stings can be quite painful and even dangerous.
While people who are allergic to the venom are most at risk, some wasp species can swarm together and sting over and over, making them harmful to anyone.
Because of the risks of wasps, the best way to protect yourself and others around you is to focus on prevention. It’s much easier to deter these pests than to remove them once they come around. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about keeping wasps away.
What Do Wasps Look Like?
First of all, it’s important to note that hornets and yellow jackets are just different kinds of wasps. Both of these subsets are common in the area as well as paper wasps which are a collection of species known for the greyish, papery material they create to build their nests.
Wasps can be identified by their long, lean bodies and their smooth, sleek appearance. Unlike bees, they aren't furry. While the markings and coloring can vary, they are usually a combination of a black and brown base color with yellow to red markings.
What Factors Attract Wasps?
The first step in wasp prevention is learning the reasons they are drawn into a property in the first place. Wasps aren’t very complicated to understand. Like most animals, they need access to food and water. And, because they are pollinators, they prefer yards that have lots of flowering plants.
Because the fragrant sweetness of flowers attracts them, they can also be drawn to other things such as bird feeders, pet food, and even things like sodas and sugary snacks.
Six Wasp Prevention Measures
Now that you know the factors that attract wasps, you can take the necessary steps to deter them from getting onto your property. While you might not be able to completely prevent wasps, you can reduce the elements that appeal to them and make it less likely for them to nest on your property. Here are six of the best wasp prevention tips:
- Keep shrubs and trees trimmed as many wasp species will create their nests in overgrown areas.
- Avoid planting too many flowering varieties of plants.
- Remove standing water from your property and ensure that rainwater can drain by cleaning gutters.
- Avoid overwatering plants and grass.
- Cover any water features, like hot tubs and pools, and make sure they are kept clean with cycled water.
- Store pet food indoors and avoid eating sugary items outdoors. If you do eat outside, make sure to clean up spills quickly.
How Can You Remove Current Wasp Problems?
While prevention steps can help keep wasps away, it’s very difficult and also unsafe to try to remove wasps without professional assistance. Even nests that seem to be inactive might not be, and you’re most likely to be attacked when getting rid of a nest.
The safest, and most effective way, to remove wasps from your Raleigh property is with assistance from the experts at Go-Forth Home Services. Get started today by calling to request your free quote and learn about our ongoing pest control options.