How To Identify Yellow Jackets
Before taking any action, it’s important to confirm what type of insect you’re dealing with. Many people confuse yellow jackets with bees, hornets, or paper wasps, but there are a few key features that set them apart:
- Color & Shape: Bright yellow and black body with a narrow, pinched waist
- Size: About ⅜ to ⅝ of an inch long
- Nesting Habits: Often build nests underground but may also nest in trees, bushes, wall voids, or under eaves
- Colony Size: Extremely social insects — a single nest can contain more than 4,000 yellow jackets
If you notice insects flying in and out of a hole in the ground or spot a papery-looking nest hanging from a structure, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with yellow jackets. When that happens, don’t go near it — call Epcon Lane for professional yellow jacket control in Akron.
The Dangers Of A Yellow Jacket Infestation
Unlike bees, yellow jackets have smooth stingers that allow them to sting multiple times. Their venom causes painful, swollen welts — and for those who are allergic, stings can lead to serious, even life-threatening, reactions.
Each year, more than 500,000 people in the U.S. visit emergency rooms due to insect stings. That’s why it’s so important to act fast when you spot yellow jacket activity near your home.
Protect your family, guests, and pets by calling Epcon Lane Pest Control at the first sign of a nest.
Five Simple Yellow Jacket Prevention Tips
While yellow jackets are hard to eliminate without professional help, a few proactive steps can reduce your risk of infestation:
- Keep outdoor garbage cans sealed tightly – Trash attracts foraging yellow jackets looking for food.
- Avoid wearing strong perfumes or scented lotions when outdoors – Sweet smells can lure them in.
- Cover all food and drinks during picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings.
- Clean up spills and food scraps immediately after eating outside.
- Repair damaged screens on windows and doors to prevent entry.
Epcon Lane’s licensed technicians can inspect your property to pinpoint yellow jacket attractants and create a customized prevention plan tailored to your Akron home.
The Safe & Effective Way To Get Rid Of Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets are highly aggressive when defending their nests, often swarming in large numbers if threatened. Disturbing a nest without protection can result in dozens of painful stings — or worse.
That’s why yellow jacket removal should always be left to professionals. At Epcon Lane Pest Control, we:
- Use environmentally responsible, EPA-approved products
- Follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to ensure long-term prevention
- Offer safe nest removal and treatment around your home and yard
- Provide customized protection plans to prevent future infestations
Our experienced team has been serving Akron homeowners for nearly 80 years, helping families stay safe from stinging pests and other unwanted invaders.
Get Professional Yellow Jacket Control In Akron, OH
Don’t risk painful stings or allergic reactions by trying to remove a yellow jacket nest on your own. Let the experts at Epcon Lane Pest Control handle it safely and effectively.
We’ll inspect your property, eliminate active nests, and help you prevent yellow jackets from coming back — so you can get back to enjoying your summer in peace.
