How to get rid of wasps, bees and stinging insects.

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Wasps, Bees, Yellow Jackets, Hornets

How to get rid of stinging insects
Here in Wisconsin where I live, the wasps are pretty bad. There are a lot of big homes with high roof peaks and wasps love to build nests in there. My home in particular seems to be a home for wasps more than any other insect around. We are particularly careful during August when they really seem to be active, and aggressive.

Basically, you have three options for getting rid of bees and wasps:

1) Use several cans of RAID(tm) and knock down nests at night time
2) Use live traps and release wasps in new area or use natural methods instead of chemicals
3) Hire a professional pest remover


In hiring a professional pest remover, you may be restricted as to the height of your rooftops. You may also want to consider using a "friendly" bee remover who actually tries to move the entire nest to another location rather then destroy all the bees. I am not certain that this works for wasps, but you can ask them when you call.

Here in Wisconsin, you can call The Bee Guy!

Hopefully, you will find some useful ways to deal with the wasps in your area here at this site. Stick around and don't get stung!

What Can Happen in an Attack 

Rescue 911 - Episode 205 - "Yellow Jacket Attack"

A man has an allergic reaction after being stung by a swarm of yellowjackets. This segment was taken from Episode 205 which aired on October 23, 1990 on CBS.

Runtime: 601
99255 views
380 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Know the Signs and Symptoms 

Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylaxis is an acute systemic (multi-system) and severe type I hypersensitivity allergic reaction in humans and other mammals. The term comes from the Greek words ??? ana (again) and ??????? phylaxis (protection). Minute amounts of allergens may cause a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis may occur after ingestion, skin contact, injection of an allergen or, in some cases, inhalation.

Anaphylactic shock, the most severe type of anaphylaxis, occurs when an allergic response triggers a quick release of large quantities of immunological mediators (histamines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes) from mast cells and basophils, leading to systemic vasodilation (associated with a sudden drop in blood pressure) and edema of bronchial mucosa (resulting in bronchoconstriction and difficulty breathing). Anaphylactic shock can lead to death in a matter of minutes if left untreated.

Due in part to the variety of definitions, between 1% and 15% of the population of the United States can be considered "at risk" for having an anaphylactic reaction if they are exposed to one or more allergens, especially penicillin and insect stings. Most of these people successfully avoid their allergens and will never experience anaphylaxis. Of those people who actually experience anaphylaxis, up to 1% may die as a result. Anaphylaxis results in approximately 1,500 deaths per year in the U.S. (one out of every 1,600 of the 2.4 million deaths from all causes each year in the U.S.;). The most common presentation includes sudden cardiovascular collapse (88% of reported cases of severe anaphylaxis). In England, mortality rates for anaphylaxis have been reported as up to 0.05 per 100,000 population, or around 10-20 a year.A Review of Services for Allergy. Department of Health. 2006. See sections 2.60-63 and 2.86.

Anaphylactic reactions requiring hospital treatment appear to be increasing, with authorities in England reporting a threefold increase between 1994 and 2004.A Review of Services for Allergy. Department of Health. 2006. See sections 2.54-55.

Researchers studying mechanisms of allergic reaction typically distinguish between "true anaphylaxis" and "pseudo-anaphylaxis" or an "anaphylactoid reaction." The symptoms, treatment, and risk of death are identical, but "true" anaphylaxis is always caused directly by degranulation of mast cells or basophils that is mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE), and pseudo-anaphylaxis occurs due to all other causes.

If a Bee Stung You... 

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Stings and Treatments 

Wasp Information on Healthline
What to watch for with a wasp sting.
Sting Operation
Best and worst remedies for bee stings.

What is a Wasp? 

The term wasp is typically defined as any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is neither a bee nor antNorman F. Johnson, Charles A. Triplehorn. 2004. Borror's Introduction to the Study of Insects. 7th Edition.. Almost every pest insect species has at least one wasp species that preys upon it or parasitizes it, making wasps critically important in natural control of their numbers, or natural biocontrol. Parasitic wasps are increasingly used in agricultural pest control as they prey mostly on pest insects and have little impact on crops.

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Photos of Wasps 

"Don't sweat the petty things .... and don't pet the sweaty things" ~ H * G * G * T ~ by turtlemom4bacon

"Don't sweat th...

Pollination by Sabrina Campagna

Pollination

wasp's plunder by urzaphotos

wasp's plunder

wasp on a thistle by urzaphotos

wasp on a thistle

Urban peace by ZeldenMMF

Urban peace

wasp on window by jans canon

wasp on window

Wasp img_1914.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1914.jpg

Wasp img_1923.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1923.jpg

Wasp img_1918.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1918.jpg

Wasp img_1920.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1920.jpg

Wasp img_1860.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1860.jpg

Wasp img_1839.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1839.jpg

Wasp img_1824.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1824.jpg

Wasp img_1898.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1898.jpg

Wasp img_1891.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1891.jpg

Wasp img_1861.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1861.jpg

Wasp img_1912.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1912.jpg

passion flower by Woodlouse

passion flower

I used to be a busy bee by ClickFlashPhotos / Nicki Varkevisser

I used to be a busy...

To Bee Or Not To Bee by chefranden

To Bee Or Not To Bee

Wasp img_1939.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1939.jpg

Wasp img_1901.jpg by rjforster

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Wasp img_1902.jpg by rjforster

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Wasp img_1905.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1905.jpg

Wasp img_1820.jpg by rjforster

Wasp img_1820.jpg

Green Wasp by h3_six

Green Wasp

Wasp on Leaf by Ed Coyle Photography

Wasp on Leaf

Baldfaced Hornet - Dolichovespula maculata by Slomoz

Baldfaced Hornet - D...

Wasp by waddie

Wasp

 by steve p2008

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automatically generated by Flickr

Wasp Update July 21, 2008 

Port Washington, WI USA

My husband called the local pest control here in town and they will not come because of home height limitations. So, my husband started attacking our wasp problem on his own. He attempted to spray several areas that we knew of where wasps were entering and exiting, but now we've found more. We've gone through two cans of Raid Wasp and Hornet Killer and two cans of some generic brand so far.

We have several kinds of wasps to deal with. We know for sure that we have a paper wasp problem, a yellow jacket problem and the giant black wasps which are pictured here on this page. These three along with your standard bumble bees and "beer" bees are a real nuisance around here. We try to keep our garbage bagged tight and the lids tight on the cans as possible, but apparently the wasps have plenty other supplies of food besides ours. We live near a small woods with lots of wild flowers which doesn't help us much either.

I'm thinking of calling The Bee Guy.

Recommended Wasp Killer 

I think I killed a nest! I watched as a wasp was hovering around the tops of our gutters on the roof the other day, just outside our deck doors. He started crawling in and out of there so I ran and got a can of Raid Wasp Killer and sprayed it up into the gutters. The stuff came out in a long spray and arched right into the spot where he was. I soaked it real good and haven't had any wasps flying around my doorway since.
Could not locate item B000FD9RYC. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Photos of Black Wasps 

236/365:Scary bug by Magic Madzik

236/365:Scary bug

hanging out in st paul by spikenheimer

hanging out in st pa...

hanging out in st paul by spikenheimer

hanging out in st pa...

Black wasp, climbing to the clouds 0728091916 by accent on eclectic

Black wasp, climbing...

Great Black Wasp, Sphex pensylvanicus by GregTheBusker

Great Black Wasp, Sp...

Black Wasp by Rennett Stowe

Black Wasp

IMG_9004.JPG by Jessep242

IMG_9004.JPG

black and red wasp by José Bernardo

black and red wasp

black wasp by rhurtubia

black wasp

P1030585 by rkimpeljr

P1030585

Black wasp by rkimpeljr

Black wasp

black wasp by asplosh

black wasp

Waspface by quinet

Waspface

Black-Wasp by quinet

Black-Wasp

automatically generated by Flickr

Important Readings on Wasp Control 

One thing my husband and I noticed is that you really do need to find the nests of these little buggers. Wasps like to build inside hard to reach places so keep an eye on where they land and crawl in and out of. Most likely, you've spotted a nest area.
How to Get Rid of Wasps
First identify your wasp, then exterminate!
What to do if a wasp enters your car and other facts...
Facts about paper wasps and hornets
Bees and Wasp Q&A
Questions and answers to bee and wasp issues

Wasp Gear 

I don't know why anyone would want a wasp key chain but if you are cool with wasps, maybe you should get one. For me personally though, I'll stick with my ordinary key chain. I wouldn't want to reach in my purse forgetting that I bought a wasp key chain and freak out or something. That would not be good.

Yellow Jacket Oval Lucite Key Chain Wasp Real Insect

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/11/2009)Buy Now

If you love 'em or hate 'em, you could always wear 'em on a t-shirt, cap or key chain.

What is a Yellow Jacket? 

Yellow jacket or yellow-jacket is the common name in North America for predatory wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries. Most of these are black-and-yellow; some are black-and-white (such as the bald-faced hornet, Dolichovespula maculata), while others may have the abdomen background color red instead of black. They can be identified by their distinctive markings, small size (similar to a honey bee), their occurrence only in colonies, and a characteristic, rapid, side to side flight pattern prior to landing. All females are capable of stinging which can cause pain to the person that has been stung. Yellowjackets are important predators of pest insects.Akre, R.D. et al. (1980) The yellowjackets of America north of Mexico. USDA Agriculture Handbook 552. 102 pp.

Wasp, Yellow Jacket, Hornet Traps and Lures 

SpringStar - Glass Wasp Trap

SpringStar - Glass Wasp Trap

What's all the buzz about?Now, you and your family more...0 points

OakStump Farms Yellow Jacket / Wasp Trap - 1 ea

OakStump Farms Yellow Jacket / Wasp Trap - 1 ea

Features: Dimensions: 7" x 5". Re-usable more...0 points

Fatal Funnel - 6 Wasp & Hornet Traps

Fatal Funnel - 6 Wasp & Hornet Traps

Keep your yard or campsite sting-free with the Fat more...0 points

Yellow Jacket trap

Yellow Jacket trap

Wroks on Yellow Jackets, Wasps, and flies. Traps t more...0 points

Rescue Reuseable Yellowjacket Trap with Attractant #YJTR-SF4

Rescue Reuseable Yellowjacket Trap with Attractant #YJTR-SF4

The RESCUE! Reusable Yellowjacket Trap catches all more...0 points

SpringStar - Wasp & Yellow Jacket Lure

SpringStar - Wasp & Yellow Jacket Lure

Wasp and yellowjacket lure is effective for all ty more...0 points

DEWITT COMPANY INC WASP-12 THE ORIGINAL WASPINATOR (Pack of 12)

DEWITT COMPANY INC WASP-12 THE ORIGINAL WASPINATOR (Pack of 12)

Durable, nothing to clean no chemicals Product wil more...0 points

Woodstream 00280 YEL Jacket/Wasp Trap

Woodstream 00280 YEL Jacket/Wasp Trap

Safer Deluxe Yellow Jacket/Wasp Trap Circular Desi more...0 points

Fly Trap Pop Out Disk

Fly Trap Pop Out Disk

Victor Fly Magnet is easy to use, has no poisons, more...0 points

OakStump Farms Yellow Jacket / Wasp Trap - 1 ea

OakStump Farms Yellow Jacket / Wasp Trap - 1 ea

Features: Dimensions: 7" x 5". Re-usable more...0 points

DEWITT COMPANY INC WASP-12 THE ORIGINAL WASPINATOR (Pack of 12)

DEWITT COMPANY INC WASP-12 THE ORIGINAL WASPINATOR (Pack of 12)

Durable, nothing to clean no chemicals Product wil more...0 points

Raid Disposable Wasp and Hornet Trap - (Johnson S C Inc - 81605)

Raid Disposable Wasp and Hornet Trap - (Johnson S C Inc - 81605)

DISP YELLOW JACKET TRAP: Attracts all major yellow more...0 points

Wasp And Yellowjacket Trap Lure

Wasp And Yellowjacket Trap Lure

WASP YELLOWJACKET LURE: Wasp and yellowjacket lure more...0 points

Yellow Jacket Trap - (CMD Prod. - YJTD-8)

Yellow Jacket Trap - (CMD Prod. - YJTD-8)

YELLOW JACKET TRAP: This disposable yellow jacket more...0 points

OakStump Farms Yellow Jacket / Wasp Trap - 1 ea

OakStump Farms Yellow Jacket / Wasp Trap - 1 ea

Features: Dimensions: 7" x 5". Re-usable more...0 points

Yellow Jacket Disk Pop-Out Trap

Yellow Jacket Disk Pop-Out Trap

Victor Yellow Jacket Magnet is easy to use, has no more...0 points

Outdoor Living: Decorative Ribbed Glass Wasp Trap with Wire Hanger: Color is Yellow/Gold

Outdoor Living: Decorative Ribbed Glass Wasp Trap with Wire Hanger: Color is Yellow/Gold

Decorative Ribbed Glass Wasp Trap with Wire Hanger more...0 points

Waspinator - Wasp Repellant Without the Use of Toxic Chemicals Or Baits (Grey) (11

Waspinator - Wasp Repellant Without the Use of Toxic Chemicals Or Baits (Grey) (11" H x 8.5" W x 7.5" D)

This handy device helps to eliminate pesky wasps f more...0 points

Poison Free Wasp & Hornet Killer

Poison Free Wasp & Hornet Killer

Victor Poison Free® Wasp & Hornet Killer 17.5 more...0 points

McNaughton Inc 26135 Soda Bottle Wasp Trap

McNaughton Inc 26135 Soda Bottle Wasp Trap

* Part Number - 26135 / Soda Bottle Wasp Trap* Mfg more...0 points

Beehive Wasp Trap (Yellow) (6

Beehive Wasp Trap (Yellow) (6"H)

Help eliminate the stinging threat of yellow jacke more...0 points

Wasp Trap

Wasp Trap

Decorative trap will attract and trap wasps and ye more...0 points

Poison Free Wasp & Hornet Killer

Poison Free Wasp & Hornet Killer

Victor Poison Free® Wasp & Hornet Killer 17.5 more...0 points

Outdoor Living: Decorative Ribbed Glass Wasp Trap with Wire Hanger

Outdoor Living: Decorative Ribbed Glass Wasp Trap with Wire Hanger

Decorative Ribbed Glass Wasp Trap with Wire Hanger more...0 points

Wasp Trap: Glass Trap Controls Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets

Wasp Trap: Glass Trap Controls Wasps, Hornets and Yellow Jackets

Eliminate bees and wasps from your garden party. T more...0 points

IMCG WTRX3 Wasp-Can Set of 3 traps

IMCG WTRX3 Wasp-Can Set of 3 traps

Wasp CanEasy to use Wasp TrapsA simple way to cont more...0 points

Reusable Yellowjacket and Wasp Trap

Reusable Yellowjacket and Wasp Trap

Bringing out the summer picnic often means doing b more...0 points

Hanging Glass Ribbed Insect Trap Wasp Catchers 3 CLEAR

Hanging Glass Ribbed Insect Trap Wasp Catchers 3 CLEAR

"Beautiful Wasp Trap works without poisons or more...0 points

What is a Hornet? 

Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps; some species can reach up to in length. The true hornets make up the genus Vespa and are distinguished from other vespines by the width of the vertex (part of the head behind the eyes), which is proportionally larger in Vespa and by the anteriorly rounded gasters (the section of the abdomen behind the wasp waist).

Photo of a giant Japanese Hornet 

I'm sorry but this thing scares me to death!

japanese hornet

What is a Bumble Bee? 

A bumblebee (or bumble bee) is any member of the bee genus Bombus, in the family Apidae. There are over 250 known species, existing primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.

Bumblebees are social insects that are characterized by black and yellow body hairs, often in bands. However, some species have orange or red on their bodies, or may be entirely black. Another obvious (but not unique) characteristic is the soft nature of the hair (long, branched setae), called pile, that covers their entire body, making them appear and feel fuzzy. They are best distinguished from similarly large, fuzzy bees by the form of the female hind leg, which is modified to form a corbicula; a shiny concave surface that is bare, but surrounded by a fringe of hairs used to transport pollen (in similar bees, the hind leg is completely hairy, and pollen grains are wedged into the hairs for transport).

Like their relatives the honey bees, bumblebees feed on nectar and gather pollen to feed their young.

Photos of Bumble Bees 

Flight of the Bumblebee -2 crop by Flavio@Flickr

Flight of the Bumble...

Flight of the Bumblebee -1 crop by Flavio@Flickr

Flight of the Bumble...

Flight of the Bumblebee-3 crop by Flavio@Flickr

Flight of the Bumble...

bumblebee Sunflower by c_pichler

bumblebee Sunflower

Walking home one evening in 2074 Paul wondered about the scientific breakthrough reversing the effects of climate change and its impact on his beach condo investment by David Blackwell.

Walking home one eve...

Flight of the Bumblebee -2, Grevillea 'Red Hooks' by Flavio@Flickr

Flight of the Bumble...

Flight of the Bumblebee-3, Grevillea 'Red Hooks' by Flavio@Flickr

Flight of the Bumble...

Flight of the Bumblebee -1, Grevillea 'Red Hooks' by Flavio@Flickr

Flight of the Bumble...

Bumble Bee by Katherine_Davis

Bumble Bee

Still Life Black and White featuring flowers, books, skull, pearl necklace, ring, urchin, pocket watch, bird, table, curtains, tapestry, fly, bumblebee and butterflies by David Blackwell.

Still Life Black and...

Bumblebee tram, Bourke St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia-2 by David Jackmanson

Bumblebee tram, Bour...

Bumblebee tram, Bourke St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia-1 by David Jackmanson

Bumblebee tram, Bour...

Still Life with Flowers by David Blackwell.

Still Life with Flow...

Bumblebee - Bright Idea by Eric Kilby

Bumblebee - Bright I...

Bumblebee - Dial by Eric Kilby

Bumblebee - Dial

Winnie the Pooh cupcakes by kristin_a

Winnie the Pooh cupc...

Bumblebee cupcakes by kristin_a

Bumblebee cupcakes

Bumblebee cupcakes by kristin_a

Bumblebee cupcakes

Bumblebee cupcakes by kristin_a

Bumblebee cupcakes

Bumblebee cupcakes by kristin_a

Bumblebee cupcakes

Bumblebee cupcakes by kristin_a

Bumblebee cupcakes

Bumblebee cupcakes by kristin_a

Bumblebee cupcakes

Bumblebee cupcakes by kristin_a

Bumblebee cupcakes

Bumblebee tram, Bourke St, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by David Jackmanson

Bumblebee tram, Bour...

Bumble bee by The Shopping Sherpa

Bumble bee

Bumblebee - Lume Shot by Eric Kilby

Bumblebee - Lume Sho...

Bumblebee - Links by Eric Kilby

Bumblebee - Links

Bumblebee - Full Shot by Eric Kilby

Bumblebee - Full Sho...

Bumblebee - Full Shot Blacklight by Eric Kilby

Bumblebee - Full Sho...

Bumblebee - Connector by Eric Kilby

Bumblebee - Connecto...

Winnie the Pooh cupcakes by kristin_a

Winnie the Pooh cupc...

IMG_1936 by colbs

IMG_1936

IMG_1937 by colbs

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IMG_1934 by colbs

IMG_1934

IMG_1933 by colbs

IMG_1933

IMG_1935 by colbs

IMG_1935

automatically generated by Flickr

Stuffed Bumble Bee Toys from eBay 

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eBay

What is a Killer Bee? 

Africanized honey bees (AHB), known colloquially as "killer bees" or Africanized bees, are hybrids of the African honey bee, Apis mellifera scutellata (not A. m. adansonii see Collet et al., 2006), with various European honey bees such as the Italian bee A. m. ligustica and A. m. iberiensis. These bees are relatively aggressive compared to the European subspecies. Small swarms of AHBs are capable of taking over European honey bee hives by invading the hive and establishing their own queen after killing the European queen.S. S. Schneider, T. Deeby, D. C. Gilley and G. DeGrandi-Hoffman, 2004. Seasonal nest usurpation of European colonies by African swarms in Arizona, USA. Insectes Sociaux 51: 356-364.

What's Buzzing? 

Yellow Jacket

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Honey Jars from Amazon 

I love honey! But again, wasps are no joke. This year, 2009, we've noticed the wasps building nests in between the slats of our deck. They crawl in and out from the deck and we can't even enjoy grilling out or laying outside for a tan this year. They started coming out back in May already, hovering around the gutters of the house. I have a feeling we have a larger problem then first thought.

If they start coming in the house, I'm moving!

Norpro Silicone Honey Dipper Set

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

Acrylic Beehive Honey Jar with Server

Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

Norpro Honey Syrup Dispenser

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

William Bounds Sili Gourmet Honey Jar 8251

Amazon Price: $18.50 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

Honey Jar with Server (Clear) (3 3/8"D x 5 1/2"H)

Amazon Price: $9.74 (as of 12/11/2009) Buy Now

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