Have you ever had a wasp nest around your yard? You might recoil in fear if you see a nest or a wasp flying around. Wasps are terrifying as they have stingers and can inject venom. While not all wasps in Alexandria are as aggressive as others, most will sting to defend themselves or their nests. 

It's wise to take proactive steps to keep them away from your property to avoid a sting from one of these flying insects. You can follow some wasp control measures put together by the Matar Termite & Pest Control experts. Here's what you need to know!

Types Of Wasps That Build Nests In Alexandria

There are many different types of wasps in the area, but most of them are a kind of paper wasps. These wasps are best identified by the "papery," grayish-looking nests they build off eaves or trees. They are usually brown or black with red, orange, or yellowish markings. 

Then, there are yellow jackets. They look similar to paper wasps but have an even thinner "waist" that attaches to their thorax and abdomen. They have bright yellow and black stripes.

Many people have one question: "what's the difference between wasps and bees?" The main differences are in their overall behavior and appearance. Wasps are much sleeker and slimmer, while bees have bulbous bodies and are furry. Wasps are also more aggressive than bees. However, both of these species are pollinators that help with plant production. 

Wasps Can Be Dangerously Aggressive

Not all wasps will try to sting you, but they are more likely to do so than bees. If they feel disturbed or bothered by your presence, they may sting. If you're stung once, the main concern is if you're allergic. However, many wasp species can also sting repeatedly and may attack in groups. They're most likely to swarm if you try and remove their nests, so leave this process to the Alexandria pest control professionals.

Six Practical Tips To Prevent Nesting Wasps

It's much safer and easier to handle wasps by preventing them from setting up their nests around your yard. Here are six natural ways to deter them:

1. Keep your garbage cans sealed with lids that fit tightly.
2. Clean any debris around the yard, including rotting produce, mulch, and leaf litter.
3. Remove standing water around the property and ensure rainwater can drain. Remember that wasps like access to water, so if you have things like hot tubs or pools, keep these covered.
4. Ensure that pet food is kept inside your house as the scent could bring wasps to your lawn.
5. Cut down overgrown trees and shrubs around the yard to remove areas where wasps build their nests.
6. Contact wasp control professionals for assistance.

It's easy to implement a few wasp prevention strategies on your own, but your best line of defense comes from our experts at Matar Termite & Pest Control.

What To Do About An Existing Wasp Nest

If you already have a wasp nest in your yard, prevention measures won't do much good. In this case, you'll need help from professionals to remove the nest. 

Trying to handle wasp nest removal on your own is dangerous, and you could be stung repeatedly. Even people who aren't allergic to wasp venom could end up in the hospital. Instead of putting yourself at risk, let Matar Termite & Pest Control handle the problem. Contact us today to get started!