A yellowjacket has a similar appearance to a bee or a wasp, but they are often much more aggressive. The sting that they deliver can also be very painful. If you're outside in the spring and summer when these flying pests are swarming around, there are a few things that you can do to avoid being stung by them. Most yellowjackets are social insects, which means that they like to swarm in large numbers. They are often seen around trash cans and other areas where food and beverages are on the ground or readily available. Avoid throwing any food outside so that yellowjackets aren't tempted to come around. If you have an event planned outside, you should keep foods and beverages covered to keep the insects away.
Know What To Do
If you do interact with a yellowjacket, it's important to stay as calm as you can. Don't agitate the insect, and don't try to swat at it or run because these actions can cause the pest to sting. If yellowjackets feel threatened, then they will usually sting. They can sting several times instead of only once like a bee. When yellowjackets are killed, they emit a hormone that lures other yellowjackets to the area. This means that one or two can quickly become a dozen or more if you are not careful in how you handle them. If there are yellowjackets on your property or you encounter several of them in one area, it is important to have them removed in a safe manner so that you and other people are not stung.
Any yellowjacket sting should be washed and cleaned as soon as possible. Monitor the area for any redness or swelling because many people are allergic to these pests without knowing until they are stung. You can put ice on the bite or an antihistamine to keep swelling to a minimum. Most yellowjackets will only live in their nest for a short time. When the weather turns colder, they tend to die off. If you see any kind of yellowjacket nest on your property, it's sometimes better to just wait until the fall or winter season if you don't want to handle the pests on your own, especially if they don't pose a direct threat to your home.
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