As much as we’d like to believe our properties are immune to outdoor pests, there’s little we can do to stop insects from finding our lawns too irresistible to ignore. Outside is a free game for wildlife, no matter how domestic the neighborhood and dangerous infestations like paper wasps will turn a backyard barbecue into a trip to the ER in no time at all. Protection and prevention are crucial, of course, but how can you make that possible on your Fairfax property?
Appearance, Habits, And Facts
About Paper Wasps
There are several different subspecies of paper wasps, making their overall coloring vastly varied. The most common coloring of paper wasps is usually dark brown or black and yellow striped, but the easiest way to tell them apart from other wasps is their smoky black wings. They grow up to roughly one inch in length, and they have hairless bodies and narrow waists. Paper wasps are also called umbrella wasps because the paper-like nests they build tend to have the shape of an umbrella.
These wasps build aerial nests, so they generally prefer areas that keep their colonies at least a few feet above the ground. Unfortunately, there are plenty of spots around Fairfax neighborhoods that provide this specific accommodation:
- Underneath gazebos
- Within trees and ornamental shrubs
- Outdoor patios and porches
- Underneath roof trim
- Around outside door frames and windows
- On siding and outdoor appliances
- Inside tool sheds
While these outdoor pests are incredibly dangerous to have around neighborhoods, they’re also super beneficial to the environment. They do dabble in pollination assistance from time to time, but that’s not where their strengths lie; instead, they specialize in garden pest elimination. Paper wasps love sampling those sweet nectars and sugary treats every once in a while, but they’ll chow down on insects like aphids, mealy bugs, caterpillars, beetles, and anything that would otherwise destroy a garden.
What Makes Mice So Dangerous
The problems with mice are two-fold. First of all, they have incisors that grow constantly, so they have to chew on things all the time to grind their teeth down and keep them from getting too long. Because of this, they will gnaw on all kinds of materials throughout the day and night. They can ruin anything from plastic and wiring to drywall and plumbing. Because of this, they can cost you money in repairs as well as create significant safety issues.
The other big issue with mice is that they are unsanitary pests and bad for human health. They transmit illnesses such as tularemia and salmonellosis, so anything they touch or get into will need to be cleaned or thrown out. They commonly get into food products and contaminate both food and food prep areas.
Mice can also cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Their fur, urine, and droppings are known to make people sick, and they can cause respiratory issues over time as their feces build up in walls.
How To Discourage Paper Wasps From Nesting On Your Fairfax Property
No matter how beneficial these insects are to the ecosystem, they’re still dangerous to have around Fairfax neighborhoods, so taking precautions to deter them from nesting around your home is crucial to maintaining safe outdoor fun. These preventative measures aren’t always effective, but when it comes to the health and safety of your friends and loved ones, you can’t be too careful:
- Trim back any low-hanging tree branches and unruly bushes
- Be careful not to over-water your gardens
- Clean up outdoor food prep and eating areas immediately after consumption
- Try not to implement too many flowering plants in your garden, and instead add wasp-deterring plants; marigold, citronella, pennyroyal, geranium, wormwood, eucalyptus
- Keep tight-fitting lids on all outdoor trash cans
- Add fake wasp nests around the perimeter of your home; wasps are incredibly territorial
Why You Should Trust The Pros For Paper Wasp Exterminations
Paper wasps are territorial, aggressive, and extremely painful under the best circumstances. One wasp sting for allergic individuals is life-threatening enough, but even someone who isn’t allergic would be at severe risk if an entire nest of paper wasps attacks them. Store-bought wasp sprays are single-stream contact killers, so while they might kill a few, to begin with, you risk angering the whole colony if you try to exterminate an infestation on your own.
When it comes to dangerous pests like paper wasps, there’s no better pest control company to call than Bluebird Pest Solutions. We care about the health and safety of our customers and the environment, so we always use eco-friendly pest control products in all of our treatments. Not only that, but we back our treatments with our 100% guarantee; if you’re still experiencing pest problems after we’ve treated your home and property, we come right back out and treat again at no additional cost. Don’t hide indoors this summer, give us a call so you can get back to sunbathing again.
