Wasp Prevention 101: Steps You Can Take To Keep Wasps At Bay In Brighton

Seeing wasps flying around is a sure sign that summer is here. And while these small insects do have their environmental benefits, they can be aggressive and are not the type of animal that you want hanging around your home. At First Choice Pest Control, our Brighton pest control technicians are committed to keeping you and your family safe from these potentially dangerous stinging insects. Here is an in-depth look at the wasps you will likely see around your Brighten and what you should do about them. 

Wasp Identification Tips: Key Markers To Help Identify Wasps

Wasps are commonly mistaken for bees and hornets. While these three animals have a few things in common, there are several unique features that wasps have that help set them apart from the other animals. Here is a closer look at the unique characteristics that bees, wasps, and hornets have:

• Bees: Bees typically have small, round bodies covered in short, fine hairs. 
• Hornets: Hornets have large bodies measuring about 1 ½ to 2 inches long. They are social insects that can be extremely aggressive and live in large nests with several other hornets of the same species. 
• Wasps: They can look remarkably similar to hornets but tend to have smaller and slender bodies. There are over 100,000 different types of wasps in the world, so their appearance can vary depending on the species. But for the most part, they have segmented bodies that feature a thin "waist." They also tend to have long and slender wings. 

Some wasps are social creatures, and others are more solitary insects. Wasps will also build their nests out of a wide variety of materials, including mud and cellulose. They are also known to live in underground nests as well. 

Health Risks Of Wasp Infestations: Allergies And Other Concerns

Another thing that sets wasps apart from bees is that wasps can sting a person multiple times without losing their stingers. Wasps are venomous insects that use their stingers and venom to paralyze their prey. Usually, the venom can cause mild swelling and some localized pain in humans. However, if you are allergic, you could experience severe allergic reactions, including swollen mouth, tongue, or throat and trouble breathing. Most people develop allergic symptoms within a few minutes to a few hours. You should seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of an allergic reaction. 

If you disturb a nest with several wasps in it, you could be stung multiple times by multiple wasps at one time. Even if you are not allergic to wasp venom, adults stung more than 12 times by wasps will often experience severe symptoms due to exposure to too much wasp venom. A child stung by multiple wasps may need to seek medical advice if they start to experience severe swelling. 

Effective Wasp-Proofing: Practical Tips To Prevent Wasp Infestations

Wasps are avid hunters that like to eat small insects. If you have crickets, beetles, or other bugs around your home, you will need to deal with the insect infestation if you want to keep wasps off your property. Wasps also have a likeness for sweet-tasting liquid. They usually will satisfy their sweet tooth by eating plant nectar. However, leaving sweet drinks outside or wearing sweet-smelling fragrances will likely attract wasps to your yard. 

Safe And Effective Wasp Removal: Contact Us Right Away!

If you see a wasp's nest, leave it alone and give us a call as soon as possible. As First Choice Pest Control, we know how to remove wasps and their nests from your yard safely. Contact us for a free quote and see how we can make your Brighton yard safe and wasp-free.