Bee, Wasp & Hornet Control in Newtown
When the weather's warm, suburban neighborhoods are filled with kids playing sports and families having fun outside. Unfortunately, bees and wasps also prefer summer weather. If you're mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, or relaxing on your patio, swarming wasps and bees are a real nuisance. The greater Philadelphia area is home to a large number of bees, wasps, and hornets. These pests can be highly aggressive when there is activity around their nests or when individual colony members are threatened. Any of these insects can make outdoor activities miserable.
The Bee and Wasp Lifecycle
Wasp and bee colonies survive by constructing nests and laying fertilized eggs that will become queens in the spring. This strategy allows them to survive harsh Pennsylvania winters and expand their population. For this reason, wasps and bees seek sheltered nesting sites. They are especially fond of attics, soffits, porches, trees, shrubs, and air conditioning units. The most obvious sign of an infestation is persistent bee or wasp activity. You might notice several sentry wasps that troll a specific area around a door, under a tree, or in another location that's close to the nest.
The Differences between Bees and Wasps
All bees, including bumblebees, honeybees and carpenter bees, can be recognized by their hairy bodies. Wasps and hornets, on the other hand, are totally hairless. Hornets are generally larger than wasps. They can be more than an inch long. Wasps are slightly smaller, and they behave differently. Insects that buzz around your patio table looking for sandwich crumbs and sugary soda are most likely yellow jackets, a common type of wasp. Hornets and other wasps prefer to attack live insects and generally will not scavenge food. However, both wasps and hornets are highly aggressive when disturbed. A single colony can contain more than 100 members, including specialized guards that attack invaders.
Controlling Bee and Wasp Infestations
Bees, wasps and hornets are easiest to control at the beginning of the season when the colony is small. Queens will build nests and lay eggs early in the season. Invasive European paper wasps, which have become a problem in the last 30 years, get a foothold by building their nests before native species. Once a colony is established, it can produce new queens for many years. As more suitable nesting sites are taken, queens will build new nests in previously unpopulated areas. Nests located in air conditioning units and behind walls are especially difficult to remove safely. Because these insects are so aggressive, homeowners need to act with caution. Even a little activity around a nest can send wasps into a frenzy. Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times. These bites can be extremely painful for most people, and they can be deadly for anyone who is allergic to insect venom.
Take back your yard and your freedom. You deserve to be enjoying the warm weather. If you've seen wasps or bees around your home, call the pros at DB Pest Solutions. We specialize in bee and wasp removal and have more than 30 years of experience serving customers in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to request more information about any of our pest control services.
Areas We Service in Newtown & Surrounding Areas in PA & NJ
We’re proud to have served our neighbors in Newtown & Surrounding Areas since 1981. As a locally owned and operated business, we believe in offering dependable services and fair prices and are proud to do our part in serving our community. Contact our team today if you have any questions about our service area!
