Yellowjacket

Recently I was walking into a recreation center when I noticed insects coming and going from a landscape bed. On closer inspection, it was Yellow Jackets. It was close to the entrance, so I informed the manager. What were his options?

Wasp nests have been with us since the beginning growing season; however, they typically don’t appear on our radar until late in the season when the colonies reach their zenith. But this year, Extension offices are already receiving complaints about wasps; particularly yellowjackets. It appears that yellowjacket populations are running high thus far this season producing stinging commentaries about close encounters.

Yellowjackets (Vespula spp. and Dolichovespula spp.) are beneficial insects.  Just keep repeating that to yourself when you're chased or stung by these yellow and black marauders!  Yellowjackets have actually been with us since the beginning of the season.  Each nest was started by a single overwintered queen.  However, this is the time of the season when the ever-expanding nests contain enough individuals for yellowjackets to start making their presence known … sometimes painfully.

 

All species of yellowjackets in Ohio build circular to oblong...