The Secret To Keeping Wasps Out Of Your Knoxville Yard
It usually only takes one sting for an individual to become afraid of stinging insects. You may even remember your first painful experience. Were you caught off guard by a bumblebee? Did you wander too close to a yellow jacket nest? Maybe you stepped on mud daubers barefoot and didn’t realize it until it was too late. Regardless of how you got introduced to stinging insects, we are here today to make sure these painful pests no longer annoy you. Here is our secret to keep wasps out of your Knoxville yard.
Common Wasps Around Knoxville
Wasps are a bit different than bees. For one, they are sleeker and have more narrow waists. In addition to this, bees are often hairy, where wasps typically have smooth and shiny exteriors. Besides these two differences in appearance, there isn’t much else that sets these two pests apart, except how likely they are to sting you.
The Dangers Of Wasps
Wasps are much more likely to sting you than bees are. This doesn’t mean all species of wasps are aggressive. For instance, mud daubers and paper wasps are notably passive creatures and will only sting if directly threatened. Yellowjackets, on the other hand, are extremely aggressive and will sting if they think you mean to harm them or their colony. Be extra careful with yellow jackets in the Fall, as this is when they are the most protective of their queen as she prepares to hibernate for the winter.
One thing that makes wasps extra formidable is their ability to sting multiple times. This makes individual wasps sometimes as dangerous as a group of wasps as they will repeatedly attack you.
If you are allergic to insect venom, be extra careful around these pests. To find out if you have an allergy to wasps, contact your doctor. They help you assess your risk with testing.
The Benefits Of Wasps
Wasps are not entirely bad. They also provide several benefits to the environment around them. While feeding on nectar, wasps spread pollen, which is vital for the health of plants. In addition to these benefits wasps also eat annoying, dangerous, and destructive pests such as dragonflies, centipedes, spiders, and aphids. Keep in mind, just because wasps are beneficial in some ways, that does not mean you should tolerate them building their nests around your property.
How To Prevent Wasps
Wasps build their nests wherever it is most convenient and often near a steady source of food. If your yard has a high amount of insects, budding plants, or meaty or sugary foods, wasps will be much more likely to construct a nest on your property. To prevent wasps from settling down near your home, use these simple prevention tips:
- Remove clutter and debris from around your property
- Fill in holes around your yard
- Trim your grass regularly and make sure your landscaping is well-maintained
- Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids
- Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your home’s exterior foundation
- Repair more extensive damages to your home’s exterior that might let wasps inside
- Consider removing budding plants such as flowers and fruit trees from your yard
- Clean up thoroughly after outdoor gatherings
- Avoid feeding your pets outside
How To Get Rid Of Wasps
Have wasps already built a nest on your property? Before you grab a long broom and a can of wasp killer, let us share a more effective and safer solution. At Urbanex Pest Control, we not only understand wasps, but we have the necessary equipment needed to maintain safety while eliminating them. Using industry-leading methods and professional-grade pest control treatments, we will make sure your property is stinger-free by the time we leave.
Contact the Urbanex Pest Control team today to schedule a service visit for your Knoxville yard
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