There are many kinds of scary or dangerous pests that Edwards residents might encounter. While some pests in the area are mostly considered a nuisance, other pests can harm us or damage our property. Wasps are pests that many people are afraid of because of their painful stings.
Most of the time, these stings don’t cause serious medical issues, but they can cause allergic reactions in some people. Even if they don’t sting you, wasps aren’t fun to have around.
One common species of wasp in the area is the paper wasp. These wasps which are sometimes known as umbrella wasps, get their name because their nests look like an umbrella made out of a papery substance. Seeing as how paper wasps can look similar to many other stinging insects, it’s a good idea to know what they look like so you can tell them apart.
Here are the identifying characteristics of paper wasps:
- They are brown with yellow or red markings.
- They have six long, thin legs.
- Their wings are skinny, and they have long antennae.
- They can be identified by their nests that look like they are made of grayish paper.
Are Wasps Beneficial?
Just like bees, paper wasps are what is known as pollinators. This means that paper wasps are beneficial to the environment because they pollinate plants which is an essential part of food production for animals and humans. Because of this, wasps aren’t all bad, and they do benefit the ecosystem.
The other benefit of paper wasps is that they will eat other small insects, so they can help control the populations of other pests. While this is a good thing, it's not a reason to welcome paper wasps into your home.
Overall, paper wasps are less aggressive than other kinds of wasps, and they usually only sting when their nest is threatened in some way. However, they can sting repeatedly, and these signs can be painful. The biggest concern with being stung is that some people have severe allergic reactions. Because of this, paper wasps are considered a dangerous pest that you don’t want around yourself or your family.
Keeping Paper Wasps Off Of Your Property
Since paper wasps can be dangerous, knowing how to make your property less appealing to them is a good way to prevent them. There are some things you can do to make your yard a less attractive place for paper wasps to build a nest. Keep in mind that prevention methods aren’t completely effective, but they can help.
Here are some tips to keep paper wasps from nesting near by:
- Make sure to treat pools or water features with the correct chemicals and keep covered when possible.
- Don’t leave food, including pet food, outside or uncovered.
- Keep your trash cans covered securely and always clean up any trash in your yard.
Don’t Try To Remove A Nest On Your Own
While it can be tempting to try to remove a paper wasp nest on your own, this is dangerous. When paper wasps feel their nests are threatened, they are most likely to become aggressive and sting, so this is when dealing with wasps is the most dangerous. The best way to keep your Edwards, Colorado property safe is to contact the pest control professionals at RAM Pest Control. We have over 25 years of experience, and we can remove a nest safely and efficiently so you don’t have to stress about it anymore.
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