General Characteristics:
- Workers are 7/16" long, males 1/2", and queens 11/16"
- Colouration is black with yellow stripes
- Found primarily in eastern North America
- Nests in the ground or at ground level
- Nests are also commonly found in meadows or along the edge of forests
- Adults feed mostly on flower nectar, and larvae feed on pre-chewed insects captured by adults
Reproduction:
- Nest occur in or at ground level in stumps or fallen trees
- Nests are constructed from rotten wood fibres, dead plants, lining of shrubs and trees, cocoon silk, and other human made fibrous materials
- Materials are chewed to a pulp and workers use this material to construct the cells
- New colonies are founded in the spring by a fertilized queen. The queen will lay worker eggs until halfway through the season when she will begin to lay fertilized eggs which will be next season's queens
- Queens locate a cavity to build nests soon after emerging from hibernation
- Populations are controlled by weather as cold snaps in the spring may kill queens decreasing population size
- Colonies may reach up to 5000 wasps
Signs of Infestation:
- Comb structures may appear in void areas which indicate the beginning of a nest.
- Ground nests can be observed through wasps entering or exiting a cavity
- These wasps are commonly found within human made structures and seen entering or exiting through a specific point
- Although generally a peaceful creature, they will sting when threatened
Control Techniques:
- If nest is vacant, manual removal is possible
- If nest is populated a professional should be contacted to treat nesting site
- Insecticides such as dusts, wet table powders, microencapsulated products, or aerosols may be used ACCORDING TO LABEL SPECIFICATIONS AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL LAWS
- Reduction of flowering plants and sealing the exterior of structures will reduce food and harbourage
Please click here to contact a Focus Pest Control professional to inquire about further treatments for this pest species.
References:
Benett, Gary W., et.al.. Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations. Duluth: Advanstar Communications, 1988. p. 201-202.
“Species Vespula Maculifrons - Eastern Yellowjacket” (On-line). Iowa State University Entomology. Accessed Jan.
6, 2010 at http://bugguide.net/node/view/11564.
Yoder, H. 2001. "Vespula Maculifrons" (On-Line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed Jan 6, 2010 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Vespula_maculifrons.html.
Disclaimer:
The Focus Pest Control ‘Pest Library’ is an educational resource written largely to educate the general public about common pests in Ontario. The Focus ‘Pest Library’ does not include all species in Ontario, nor does it include the most recent scientific data about species we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While Focus Pest Control staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.
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