Stinging Insect Identification & Prevention

Bees and wasps are examples of stinging insects that regularly invade our San Diego area yards. These flying insects have stingers extending from the end of the abdomen that wasps use for hunting insect prey and that both bees and wasps use as a means of defense.

Bees and wasps differ in appearance.

Typically bees have full, robust bodies with some hair on the body and legs. The hair helps them to collect pollen.

Wasps are more slim-bodied, have slender legs, and their body lacks hair and is typically shiny. Their body shape helps them to be more aerodynamic and fly with speed to catch their insect prey.

Bees and wasps are both crucial to the ecosystem. Bees are responsible for pollinating plants and crops. Wasps, while responsible for some pollination, are most beneficial as predators; they help control populations of nuisance insects and garden pests.

Stinging insects are most active at the end of the summer and beginning of early fall, when their colonies are at peak numbers and are out frantically foraging for food. Not all species of stinging insects are aggressive, but many are. However, all species of stinging insects will defend themselves or their nests by delivering a painful stings, when necessary. For the most part, stinging insects are considered dangerous because their venom is powerful enough to trigger allergic reactions or sometimes even sometimes, even anaphylaxis which is a serious and sometimes even life-threatening allergic reaction that will require medical attention.

Stinging insects are a problem because they have discovered that your yard, garden, or home provides them with a place to nest or forage for food. Keeping stinging insects at bay is difficult because our yards naturally provide them with their necessities such as flowers in the garden, insects in the garden, water pooled in a gutter, and sheltered nesting spots. Stinging insects are a common pest problem to experience and are most problematic when the weather is warmest during the spring and summer seasons.

Stinging insects will build their nests in a variety of locations as long as they are provided with the appropriate protection and shelter. Some species of stinging insects are considered ground nesters while others have been deemed aerial nesters, and some will nest both in the ground and in higher locations. Once on your property, these pests will create their nests in rock crevices, on rock overhangs, and under porches, decks, and roof eaves and can also be found inside attics, crawl spaces, and in outbuildings like barns, sheds, and garages. In addition, you may also find their nests around your property in and on trees and on utility poles.

If stinging insects are driving you mad and making it so you can't enjoy your outdoor spaces with family and friends, Bite Away Termite & Pest Control is here to help! After contacting us, we will quickly come to your aid, and our professionals will find and accurately identify the stinging insects on your property.

By developing a personal relationship with our customers, we can provide you with the most effective and eco-friendly pest control services possible; we will eliminate the pests you see and those you don't! Our goal is to help you enjoy your yard and home to its fullest potential.

If you are in the San Diego area and want the best pest protection for your San Diego home against pests, reach out to us at Bite Away. We offer industry-leading pest control treatments, exceptional customer services, and an unmatched commitment to our customers! Call today for a quote and learn more about our stinging insect control services in San Diego.

Some tips and strategies to keep stinging insects from taking over your property and avoiding their stings include cutting back branches from shrubs, bushes, and trees from your home's exterior, avoiding planting a lot of flowering vegetation in high-traffic areas of your yard, keeping your grass cut short, filling in bare areas of your yard, removing as much standing water from your property as possible, avoid wearing heavily scented perfumes and lotions while outside, wearing shoes when walking around your yard to avoid stepping on a stinging insect or ground nest with your bare feet, and if you spot a stinging insect nest on your property, avoid the area until one of our professionals can come and remove it.

In addition to the above tips, remember at first sight of stinging insects in your yard or, worse, your home, reach out to us for help. The sooner you call, the sooner we can remove these pests from your yard!