Underground-Nesting Yellowjacket Wasps

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Nest entrance (lower center) at base of tree.

Yellowjacket wasps guard entrance to nest.

Between mid-summer and early fall yellowjacket wasps that nest underground can be a real threat in some areas. These yellowjacket wasps hide their nests underground, often in cavities made by decaying roots, stumps (see photo) or rodent burrows. Nests may contain hundreds to thousands of worker wasps that will aggressively defend the nest against all intruders.

When disturbed wasps can swarm from this ground nest. A single sting can provoke other wasps that are summoned to attack the "enemy" of the nest (for this reason always quickly leave the area if you are stung). Wasps are especially sensitive to ground vibrations or low frequency (bass) noise as this may signal an animal such as a bear or skunk trying to dig out the nest. This is why wasps will sometimes swarm in response to a careless hiker that steps on the nest entrance or the low growl of a passing lawnmower.

Notice surface of papery nest in center right.

The nest entrance leads to a papery nest (see photo) that houses the queen and large numbers of workers and larvae (only a few males are produced at the end of the season). Nests are usually begun in the spring and will die once the weather turns cold in late fall. During mid-summer to early fall the nests will reach their maximum size.

Ground-nest structure (drawing).

The nest itself is very similar to the more familiar wasp nests that are built above ground with a papery envelope enclosing layers of cells that house larvae (see drawing). Worker wasps feed the larvae and queen as well defend the nest with a potent sting.

Ground nests can be left alone as long as they are not in an area where they pose a threat from an unwary person. They can, however, be especially dangerous when they occur near playgrounds, picnic areas or along hiking trails.

Threatening nests can be destroyed by treating the nest entrance with a "Wasp & Hornet"- type insecticide. For details see "Treating Yellowjacket Nests".

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The Bed bug Problem, 5 Things You Don't Know About in Regards On How To Get Rid of Bedbugs.

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The Bed bug Problem Keep in mind that the bed bug problem was thought to be rid of by the end of world war 11 with the use of wide spread chemicals. As bed bugs begin creeping back toward the United States here and there in the 1990's. Most of the time the hospitals was where the problem was showing up, this was due to a lot of international travel from other countries.
Now a days it is not uncommon to see a write up in the news media almost daily about bed bugs.
But why is the problem getting out of hand. I have listed 5 things as to what you need to and did not know. You should make this a priority in your lives if you want to stay free of bed bugs. I would not want to panic you but you should take heed.
Learning how to detect and how to get rid of bed bugs should be a priority to you. Remember the best way to not have a problem is to be proactive.


1. Infestations are not recognized fast enough.
The key to getting rid of bedbugs is to be able to identify them and recognize where and how they live. The problem is by the time most have realized they have the problem it is out of hand, we read and hear about this every day.

2. Bedbugs do move  efficiently between connecting rooms in housing and motels, hotels apartments and business units.
Just because you can identify bedbugs in the mattress does not mean the problem stops there. You must use a good flashlight and even a magnifying glass if necessary. You should check your kids and there  clothing and back packs when they come home from school. Check their rooms periodically.

3. Good identification methods are lacking.
Learn how to identify this critter, check out bed bug pictures and images there is plenty around look for droppings between mattress folds, clothing, cracks and crevices.
4. There is not a quick fix for bedbugs.
Remember the sooner you find this problem the sooner you can treat it and fix it.
But not being able to identify the problem will only make it worse.

5. Cooperation is very much a requirement.
Even trying to get the school or business to keep their eyes open and report anything that resembles a bed bug problem will help in keeping the critter at bay and help to eliminate it from your personal area or home.

Remember being proactive in bed bug problems and their detection is the key to getting ahead of the problem and knowing just how to get rid of bed bugs. If you don't feel confident then hire a exterminator or pest control operator to check things out. Remember he should know the same things as above about bed bug problems, ask questions. If he cannot answer them then move on to another one.