Biology of Yellow Jackets and Wasps
Not too long ago, there was only one answer when a pest population was presented, and that answer was chemicals, the deadlier the better. The chemical approach will hopefully soon be a thing of the past, however, as more and more we are becoming aware of the detrimental effects of toxins on our environment and on ourselves. In fact, toxic spray for pests tends to do almost everything else more harm in the long run than the pests it is supposed to take care of.
Pest control companies and individuals today are leaning more towards an integrated pest control strategy, one that only uses chemicals as a last resort and which even then uses the least toxic chemicals possible. Part of the IPC approach is understanding the nature of the pest problem, and that means understanding the pest. Knowing where a pest is likely to live, what it eats, and how it reproduces are key in solving any infestation problem, and will lead to solutions that are both more effective and less toxic than traditional sprays and other chemicals. In this article, we are going to take a look at the biology of yellow jackets.
Yellow jacket life style
There are at least four different species of yellow jacket (also called wasps) which make their home in North America. Of these, only two are really considered to be “pests” in even the loosest sense of the word. One species, the braconid, is a small wasp which actually helps control worse pests by destroying their eggs. In fact all yellow jackets are very aggressive pest predators, but are labeled as pests because of the danger their bite and sting represents and their tendency to swarm to food sources.
Yellow jackets of all species are social insects, born, raised, and dying within a hive structure. The queen is responsible for creating the hive and for rearing the first batch of yellow jackets, after which the offspring assume all duties save laying eggs. The yellow jackets you are likely to encounter in your home, in the garden, or out on a picnic are all female drones, responsible for locating food sources and gathering nutrition from them.
Habitats of wasps
As we mentioned in the first paragraph, wasps are likely to be found anywhere in North America, and will be especially noticeable during periods of very hot weather. They are also much more likely to become aggressive as cooler weather sets in.
The location of the main nest will depend on the type of yellow jacket. One species nests in the ground, another in trees, and still another on the side of buildings and under structures, out of the way and hard to reach. All three pose a significant problem as far as reduction, because yellow jackets tend to be far ranging and removal of all nests within your area may not mean a noticeable decrease in wasp activity.
Wasp diet
Part of the reason why wasps are so successful is that they are very opportunistic in their eating habits. As mentioned above, they are primarily interested in feasting on other insects, but will take whatever they can get. Anyone can see that they are very attracted to sweets, and thus will be found in fruit trees and gardens. They also have a taste for meat, and are attracted to carrion, hamburgers, steaks, and anything else with a hint of blood.