Stinging Insects
We have several different types of stinging pests in Western New York. The most common of these that the exterminators at Pathfinder Pest in Buffalo deal with are bees, hornets, wasps and yellow jackets.
While stings from these pests may hurt, they can also cause more serious health problems like swelling which can be painful, nausea, infections, and in rare cases even cause death. If you are having a problem with these pests, call the experienced wasp and hornet exterminators at Pathfinder Pest in Buffalo today.
There are several varieties of yellow jackets. They are the most common during the Summer months when the population grows exponentially. During the Fall they can become very irritable as they can sense the winter is coming and they try to prepare for it. Though this is normal, once the winter sets in they won’t survive due to the sub-zero temperatures.
- Workers 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch long
- Abdomen usually black and yellow patterned similar to bands
- Are very aggressive when disturped
- Do not have a barbed stinger and can sting several times
- Nests can be in the ground or hanging
They build a hanging nest in trees and are most common during the summer months when the population grows exponentially. The color of the nest blends into the tree and surrounding areas making it very hard to see until it’s very large or too late.
- 1/2 – 5/8” (12-15mm); queen 3/4” (18-20mm)
- Black with a white pattern on most of the face
- Are very aggressive when disturbed
- Do not have a barbed stinger and can sting several times
- Hanging nest
They like to build their nests in soffits and roof top equipment. Their nests can be described as an upside down umbrella. They are generally the first ones to be seen in spring going through the summer as well. They are often mistaken for yellow jackets as they look very similar but they have a more narrow body.
- 5/8 – 3/4” (16-20 mm)
- Black and yellow markings; a few species with reddish markings, long and narrow.
- Can be aggressive if disturped, but general are non-aggressive
- Build exposed nests that look like upside down umbrellas and are flat.
Of all the stinging pests Mud Daubers are mostly docile but can become belligerent when threatened. They build the mud tubes/nests you see on the sides of homes and businesses. If you hate spiders around your home then these can be your best friend as Spiders are their favorite food source. They live in very small numbers and just like to be left alone.
- 1/2 – 1+” (12-25+ mm)
- Usually black, may have pale markings or a metallic luster
- Non-aggressive, solitary insect (one insect per mud tube)
- Build mud tubes
These are a Spring and Fall pest in most cases. Heaviest activity is in April and May. The queen will emerge from the winter and seek out a home to make a nest and lay her eggs. As their name entails they will alway live in wood. If you own a log home, have wood siding, unpainted fence posts or a wood deck these are the ones making the holes you normally see. They look mean and will fly at you, these are the males and they do not have a stinger.
- 1/4 – 1 inch long
- Yellow or black
- Oval with a shine black abdomen
- Females have stinger but males do not (males are the ones seen flying around the hole)
- Building in wood
While they are not as common, they can make nests almost anywhere. If disturb you will know and by the loud noise they emit. They all attack at once to protect the nest.
- 1″
- Black with yellow stripes
- Are very aggressive when disturbed
- They can build nest and many different materials
There are many different methods of treatment for stinging pests. Our technicians are trained to identify the specific pests and use the method that will work best to treat them such as:
- Barrier treatments
- Nest treatment
- Entry point treatment
- dusting
- Nests removal
- Habatie modification
