Although one might reasonably believe that the most aggressive stinging insect pest in Indiana may be based on size, the opposite may be true. Two of the largest stinging insect pests in Indiana are the European Hornet and the Bald-Faced Hornet. Both are painful stingers but neither one comes close to the ferocious nature of a smaller Yellow Jacket wasp.  

Larger stinging pests tend to build nests above ground called aerial nests. The yellow jacket on the other hand may build aerial OR underground nests based on the species of yellow jacket. In any case, yellow jackets have the reputation of being fierce defenders of the nest.  

One may not even notice the yellow jacket colony being developed early on, however as early summer moves into late summer and into fall, the colony becomes more aggressive in protection of the nest. During the fall yellow jackets are often seen around garbage containers, picnic grounds or places where fruits or sugary items can meet their growing needs for carbohydrates as the food supply for the wasp. Carrion may also be a food supply for the yellow jacket when there is a need for protein in the diet. 

At the end of the season, colonies reach their maximum numbers, perhaps in the thousands, and are most aggressive resulting in at least 200,000 visits to emergency rooms in the United States alone. Not only can humans fall victim to yellow jackets, pets may also become victims with the same chance for serious and possibly life-threatening allergic reactions.

When approaching areas where yellow jackets are present, be careful. If the wasps are in defensive mode, the yellow jacket may sting the proposed invader releasing an alarm pheromone signaling other wasps in the colony to attack in mass causing multiple stings by multiple wasps.  

Here is the tip! 

  • During the early spring seal cracks or crevices that may be attractive nest building areas. As time goes by, control of the wasp is more difficult. Being attentive to changes in wasp activity may give one an advantage in early control before numbers in the colony are maximized. 
  • During the summer, you can continue to seal cracks or crevices that may be attractive nest building areas. Notice for areas of increased wasp activity to note where the colony may be residing. It is time to call your local pest control company to eliminate the colony before it gets more aggressive.
  • During the fall, stay away from the area where you see the wasps. If in an area trafficked by humans or pets, it is time to call your local pest control company to eliminate the colony.