As a homeowner in Baltimore, Maryland, you’re likely to encounter wasps in your backyard. While these stinging insects may seem intimidating, it’s important to understand their behavior and how to identify them. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at three common types of wasps in Baltimore: yellowjackets, paper wasps, and bald-faced hornets.
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Yellowjackets are small, aggressive wasps with bright yellow and black stripes. They often build their nests underground or in voids, such as tree stumps or wall cavities. Yellowjackets are scavengers and will eat almost anything, including other insects, fruits, and human food.
If you encounter a yellowjacket nest, it’s best to avoid it and call a professional pest control service. Attempting to remove the nest on your own can be dangerous and may result in multiple stings.
Paper wasps are named for their papery nests, which they build from chewed-up wood fibers. These wasps are typically brown with yellow markings and are less aggressive than yellowjackets. Paper wasp nests can be found hanging from eaves, tree branches, or shrubs.
While paper wasps can be beneficial for controlling garden pests, they may sting if they feel threatened. If you find a paper wasp nest on your property, it’s best to leave it alone unless it poses a risk to human safety.
Bald-faced hornets are large, black-and-white wasps that build papery, football-shaped nests in trees, shrubs, or on buildings. These wasps are aggressive defenders of their nests and will attack if they feel threatened.
If you discover a bald-faced hornet nest on your property, it’s important to stay away from it and call a professional pest control service. Removing a bald-faced hornet nest without proper training and equipment can be dangerous and may result in multiple stings.
By learning about the wasps in your Baltimore backyard, you can better understand their behavior and how to identify them. Remember, it’s important to exercise caution around wasps and to seek professional help when dealing with nests. If you have any concerns about wasps on your property, don’t hesitate to contact a local pest control expert.