How To Identify Yellow Jackets
Before you take action, it’s important to make sure you’re actually dealing with yellow jackets — not bees or other wasps.
Here are the key characteristics of yellow jackets:
- Size: About ½ to ⅝ inch long
- Color: Bright yellow and black stripes, with a distinct yellow head
- Wings: Clear with small black spots
- Behavior: Often seen in groups, flying in and out of a central nesting area
While they’re sometimes mistaken for bees, yellow jackets have smooth, shiny bodies (not fuzzy) and are generally smaller. They’re also more aggressive and can sting multiple times.
If you’re unsure what you’re dealing with, don’t guess — contact Epcon Lane. Our trained technicians can correctly identify the pest and recommend a safe treatment plan.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Yellow Jackets
Locating the nest is the first and most important step. However, yellow jackets often build nests in hard-to-find places such as:
- Underground burrows
- Wall voids or attics
- Tree hollows or dense shrubs
- Cracks in building foundations
Once you’ve identified where the yellow jackets are nesting, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Yellow jackets are extremely territorial and will sting repeatedly if they feel threatened — which can quickly turn dangerous.
Instead, contact Epcon Lane for professional yellow jacket control in Akron. Our team uses proven, safe methods to remove both the insects and their nests, preventing re-infestation and protecting your family.
What Attracts Yellow Jackets To Your Yard?
Understanding what draws yellow jackets in can help you make your property less appealing to them. Common attractants include:
- Standing water: Birdbaths, ponds, or clogged gutters offer a drinking source.
- Trash: Unsealed garbage cans or open recycling bins provide easy access to food scraps.
- Outdoor food: Grilled meats, sugary drinks, and picnic leftovers are all irresistible to yellow jackets.
By identifying and removing these attractants, you can make your yard less inviting and reduce your chances of an infestation.
How To Prevent Yellow Jackets Around Your Home
Prevention is always better than reaction. Follow these steps to keep yellow jackets away for good:
- Keep garbage sealed: Use tight-fitting lids on all trash and recycling bins.
- Eliminate standing water: Drain or cover birdbaths, clean gutters, and fix leaky spigots.
- Maintain outdoor cleanliness: Pick up fallen fruit, cover food during outdoor events, and clean up spills immediately.
- Inspect your yard regularly: Look for early signs of nesting activity around eaves, sheds, or shrubs.
Even with preventive steps, yellow jackets can still find their way in. When that happens, it’s best not to take risks — call Epcon Lane’s yellow jacket removal experts.
Safe, Effective Yellow Jacket Removal In Akron, OH
Yellow jackets are one of the most aggressive stinging pests in Ohio, and handling them without proper training can result in painful stings or allergic reactions. That’s why so many Akron homeowners trust Epcon Lane Pest Control for help.
Since 1945, our family-owned company has helped local families and businesses stay safe from dangerous pests. We use eco-friendly, targeted treatments that eliminate yellow jackets and prevent them from coming back — so you can enjoy your outdoor spaces again with confidence.
Don’t let yellow jackets take over your yard. Contact Epcon Lane today to schedule a professional inspection or request a free quote for yellow jacket control in Akron, OH.
