Warm months in northeast Louisiana bring stinging insects to eaves, porches, sheds and play sets. Most are more nuisance than danger, but a nest in the wrong spot, or a yellow jacket colony in the ground near where kids play, needs careful handling.
Common stinging insects around Monroe
Paper wasps
Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, porch ceilings, railings and light fixtures. They are not usually aggressive unless the nest is disturbed.
Yellow jackets
Yellow jackets often nest in the ground, in wall voids or in hollow logs. Colonies grow large by late summer, and they defend the nest aggressively, stinging repeatedly.
Mud daubers
Mud daubers build tube-shaped mud nests on walls and in sheds. They rarely sting and are mostly a cleanup issue.
When a nest is a problem
- It’s near a door, walkway, deck or play area.
- Someone in the home is allergic to stings.
- Yellow jackets are flying in and out of the ground or a wall.
- The nest keeps getting bigger or new nests keep appearing.
Safety tips
- Never seal a hole that yellow jackets are using in a wall; they can chew into the house.
- Don’t try to knock down a nest during the day when wasps are active.
- Avoid mowing over or near ground nests.
- If someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness after a sting, get medical help right away.
DIY or professional?
A small paper wasp nest under an eave can sometimes be handled with a labeled product at dusk. Ground nests, wall-void colonies, large nests and nests near allergic family members are best left to a professional with protective equipment.
Our general pest control service includes eave sweeps that remove webs and starting nests, and quarterly treatments that reduce stinging insects around the home.
Preventing nests
- Seal gaps in soffits, siding and around utility lines.
- Keep trash cans closed and clean; yellow jackets love sweet drinks and food scraps.
- Knock down small nests early in spring before colonies grow.
- Repair holes in screens and vents.
Need help with a nest? Pest Control In Monroe can remove it safely and help keep new ones from forming.