What are stinging insects?
There are many stinging insects in Florida. Two varieties of pests that are stinging insects are wasps and hornets. Common wasp species are the guinea wasp, also known as the paper wasp, and yellow jackets.
While it is widely known that honey bees can only sting once because of their barbed stinger, the species listed above can sting multiple times because they have a smooth stinger.
Are stinging insects dangerous?
If left unbothered, the stinging insects listed above are not necessarily dangerous. However, "bothering" a stinging insect's nest doesn't have to be intentional for them to attack.
There are two different types of stinging insects, social and solitary. Solitary stinging insects pose a lesser threat because they can't swarm. On the other hand, social species are tasked with protecting the colony's queen, so they will swarm if threatened.
Paper wasps are the least aggressive of the list above, with guinea wasps falling in the middle and hornets being the most aggressive. However, even one sting from any of these pests can be dangerous if you are allergic to their venom. If you are stung, it is always smart to monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
Why do I have a stinging insect problem?
Like most other pests you will encounter in Tampa, FL, stinging insects are after food and a place to live. Wasps and hornets are both pollinators, which means they are attracted to plant nectar and honeydew, so if you have a lot of flowering plants on your property, this could be one reason you have a problem with these pests.
You may also be attracting them if you have available water sources like ponds, pools, and other water landscaping features.
Where will I find stinging insects?
You can find all of the stinging insects listed above building their nests under eaves, porches, decks, and trees. However, they can also create their nests underground, in stumps and logs, and inside walls of a structure.
How do I get rid of stinging insects?
The best way to get rid of stinging insects in the Tampa Bay area is with professional assistance. It is never advised to approach a stinging insect nest, even if you believe it is empty. To keep you and your family safe during the removal process of these pests, contact us at Haskell Termite & Pest Control. We offer free estimates on all our services and provide a guarantee so you can rest assured you are in good hands.
Contact us today at Haskell Termite & Pest Control to learn more about how you can have a stinging insect free-property.
How can I prevent stinging insects in the future?
To help keep stinging insects from making themselves at home on your property, you should do the following:
- Use garbage, recycling, and compost bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Clear your yard of fallen fruit
- Reduce the number of flowering plants you have in your yard and keep the ones that remain from over-flowering
- Reduce potential water sources
- Keep these pests from entering your home by sealing any external entry points.
- Regularly inspect your property for new nests. Catching a colony before it can grow larger makes it easier to remove them and keep your family safe.
The best way to protect your Tampa Bay area home against stinging insects is with our help, so don't forget to reach out to us at Haskell Termite & Pest Control.
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