Bees, wasps, and hornets are essential workers for our ecosystem. Without them, we cannot have fruits, vegetables, or beautiful flowers and foliage. But when these creatures start making our homes theirs, it’s important to use professional bee and wasp removal in Colorado Springs to restore the balance between us. Take a look at some of the common types of stinging insects in Colorado Springs to see what you might encounter.
Bees & Wasps in Colorado Springs
Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.)
After overwintering, carpenter bees appear in spring as temperatures rise. They resemble the bumblebee, but they have a bare, shiny black abdomen and are ½ to 1-inch in length. Of the Colorado bees and wasps, the carpenter bee is not much of a threat to humans. However, they can wreak havoc on your property. Instead of nesting, they bore holes in wood to create a tunnel in which they rear their young.
Baldfaced Hornets (Dolichovespula maculata)
These hornets have a sleek look with white markings on their head, thus the name “baldfaced.” They are black and ½ to ⅝ inch long, with a white to yellowish-white face. Colonies of baldfaced hornets die off every fall, with only the fertilized queen overwintering. Their nests are usually in aerial areas, like eaves or soffit and fascia.
Western Yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica)
The baldfaced hornet and the yellowjacket look quite similar, but the markings of the yellowjacket are black and distinctly yellow. Yellowjackets can be troublesome due to their scavenging nature. Their sting can be quite painful and can be very dangerous for those with a sensitivity or allergy. Yellowjackets should be professionally removed as soon as possible.
Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.)
The delicate and intricate nest of the paper wasp is a natural work of art, but resist the temptation to bring those nests into your home as a decoration. Paper wasps are longer and more slender than yellowjackets, but aren’t as aggressive. Like the yellowjacket, a sting can be quite dangerous to those with allergies, so call about wasp control in Colorado Springs as soon as you see a nest.
Preventing & Treating Stinging Insects
Most Colorado bees and wasps are beneficial to our Colorado Springs ecology, but potentially dangerous stingers like yellowjackets can become a real problem if they start nesting in your home. You can keep stinging insect populations at bay by:
- Eliminating rodent nesting burrows by caving them in
- Sealing exterior crevices and cracks
- Filling or eliminating other nesting areas like holes in walls or trees
- Installing insect-proof screens on windows and doors
Need a Bee or Wasp Removal Professional in Colorado Springs?
Why take chances with the health and safety of you and others in your home? Let the professionals at Evergreen Pest Control take care of your wasp nest removal and bee removal in Colorado Springs. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you have a safer home free from Colorado bees and wasps.