Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407280021
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Patricia Held
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
While I have had my share of unpleasant dealings with these stinging creatures, for the most part I've learned that we can all live side by side.
If we understand a bit about hornets' and wasps' lifestyles and behavior, it is far easier to deal with the insects. And if we learn what the look like and where they live, we can usually avoid them.
Some of the wasps and hornets we may run into this summer include:
Paper wasps: These wasps are not know for their aggressive behavior. They are solid in color, usually either orange or brown. Their nests are found in the eaves of outdoor ceilings and are made of a paper-like material. The nest is a small circular tier of cells with no outer covering. It attaches to a structure with a short stalk.
Paper wasps are often found in open barns and on porches. While they are not aggressive, they will sting if they are disturbed. It is only necessary to destroy their nests if they are in areas where people pass regularly.
Cicada killers: These insects are very aggressive. They are quite large, about 1.2 inches long, marked with black and yellow. They nest directly in the lawn, especially where it slopes, and dig deep holes with half-inch openings. Unfortunately, when they sting, they seem to come from nowhere. It is often difficult to find this insect's nest, and maybe that's better for our sake.
Mud daubers: I think that these are the most beautiful of our wasps. They are very slender and have an iridescent bluish-black color. They build small cylindrical tube-shaped nests of mud in eaves, on sides of buildings and behind shutters. Their behavior is almost totally unaggressive. I have never been stung by one, and I have nests of mud daubers all around my barn. They even come into our house through bathroom vents and have never shown any aggression when we catch them and bring them back outside.
Yellow jackets: When these insects make it through the vents into the house, I don't even give them a chance! Known for their aggressive behavior, it seems that they will sting just for the fun of it! Yellow jackets are striped yellow and black and have the typical wasp-like waist. Their nests are small, almost baseball-sized, and made of a paper-like material. They nest both in trees and on the ground. Sometimes the nest is directly in the soil or in foundation plantings and hidden in rotting logs and downed trees.
Black-and-white or bald-faced hornet: About as temperamental as the yellow jacket, this hornet is another one to avoid. It is largely black with white markings on the face, thorax and end of the abdomen. Its nests are large football-shaped affairs found in the trees. While they often build their structures high in the treetops, I have found them at waist level and even lower.
There's no doubt that wasps with aggressive behavior can be difficult. Usually, unless you are in close proximity to their nest, they won't bother you. That is, of course, unless you bother them. Avoid any known nests. It is only wise to destroy it if the nest is in an area frequented by pets or humans.
There are sprays on the market that shoot a direct shot of pesticide from 20 feet away. These are designed with wasps and hornets in minds. Be sure you treat the area in the evening when the wasps are all in their nest. Follow the directions on the can and make sure that pets and humans will not be exposed to the spray.
Remember, if the nest is in an area that is not in the direct path of people, leave it alone. While wasps may not be friendliest insects around, they play an important role in our environment. They are effective insect controllers because of their predatory nature. They almost exclusively eat other insects and spiders, many of which are harmful pests to man. While I've had my share of bad experiences with wasps and hornets, I've learned that by and large we can all live peacefully together.
by CNB