How Do You Identify Wasp Nests?

Identifying wasp nests in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho - RentokilWasps are one of the most common summertime pests, especially here in the Northern Utah and Southern Idaho area. Normally a beneficial part of the environment, wasps can create a hazardous environment when they build their nests in residential areas. There are a few different types of wasps in our areas, and they all build different kinds of nests. Although it’s important to never approach a nest, it’s also important to learn how to identify them. The team at Rentokil is here to help you learn how to identify wasp nests.

Most Common Wasp Nests

In our region, we are used to seeing a variety of wasps. The main ones are mud daubers, paper wasps, bald-faced hornets, and, of course, yellowjackets! The main differences between these wasp nests are:

  • Mud daubers. Solitary female mud daubers build nests out of—you guessed it—mud! The nests are small and tubular in size, often looking like organ pipes. They are typically found in cracks or crevices.
  • Paper wasps. Their nests famously look like upside-down umbrellas. These nests are often open, and can get quite large in size. They are typically supported by a single stalk and consist of a paper-like material.
  • Bald-faced hornets. These nests are almost always at least three feet off the ground. They are made of chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. They often grow to be the size of a football or basketball.
  • Yellowjackets. Nests are a papery material and have a single opening. The inside of a yellowjacket nest can have up to 100 tiers of cells. Yellowjackets can also build underground nests that can be enormous in size.

How to identify wasp nests in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho - Rentokil

Where to Look Out for Wasp Nests

A wasp nest can be in a wide variety of places. Yellowjackets favor areas near the ground, in hollow trees, under porches, and a number of other areas. Mud daubers tend to build their nests in sheltered areas, including under eaves, garages, attics, or on the sides of buildings.

Paper wasp nests are often located under and within the eaves of structures, in attics and wall voids, and in other enclosed areas. Bald-faced hornets, on the other hand, like to build nests high up off the ground. This can mean in trees, but also on structures. In general, wasps tend to favor sheltered spots for their nests.

How to Get Rid of Nests

Bottom line: it’s important to never attempt to knock down or get rid of a wasp nest on your own. Even if it’s small or appears abandoned, there could be more stinging insects inside than you realize. Many types of wasps will sting repeatedly—disturbing them will make them more likely to do so. It’s safe to simply call your local wasp control experts at Rentokil when you need help with wasps.

The Dangers of the Asian Giant Hornet

Asian giant hornets - RentokilThe Asian giant hornet, infamously known as the “murder hornet”, has certainly made the rounds in the media over the past couple of months. It’s easy to understand why this hornet has struck fear in the heart of so many nationwide, even though they’ve only been spotted in the Pacific Northwest (so far). Originally from Japan, China, and other Asian countries, this hornet made its first appearance in Vancouver and Washington state late last year. Their sting is known to be potentially fatal, but the true threat they pose is to the honeybee population. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about murder hornets from the team at Rentokil!

Just How Dangerous are Murder Hornets?

The main threat of these hornets is that they are a predator of the honeybee. They attack honey bee hives, killing adult bees and devouring bee larvae and pupae. A single murder hornet can kill dozens of honeybees in minutes, and a group of 30 hornets can devour a hive of nearly 30,0000 bees in hours. Needless to say, this can severely affect the honeybee population.

Besides their impact on honeybees, these hornets administer a nasty–and potentially fatal–sting. Like many stinging insects, the murder hornet will not attack humans unless they feel provoked or threatened. Their stings contain neurotoxins that, when stung multiple times, can lead to organ failure. Being stung by these hornets can lead to death. They’re responsible for the passing of up to 50 people in Japan each year.

6 Features of the Asian Giant Hornet

If you ever come across one of these infamous hornets, you’re going to be able to tell what they are by their size alone. Six traits that help identify the murder hornet include:

  1. Worker murder hornets are 1 ½ – 2” in length while queens can exceed 2”.
  2. They have a light orange head with an orange, black, and brown striped body.
  3. They have large, prominent eyes
  4. One of the more frightening features are their distinctly sharp mandibles
  5. These hornets possess 6 legs and a set of antennae
  6. Their stingers are ¼” (6 mm) in length

Have Murder Hornets Been Found in Utah or Idaho?

Thankfully, there have been no sightings of this hornet in our area as of yet. They do prefer a wet, mild climate, which is why they seem to be showing up in the Pacific Northwest. Currently, scientists are working hard to find, trap, and eradicate this pest before they spread. With any stinging insect, it’s important to always contact a licensed pest control company such as Rentokil for assistance.

Common Wasps in the Summertime

Common summertime wasps in Northern Utah & Southern Idaho - Rentokil

Summer is just around the corner in Northern Utah & Southern Idaho, and the weather is finally warming up! Unfortunately, wasps are fans of the summer just like you! Wasps notoriously ruin backyard barbecues, picnics, hikes, and more. There are more than 4,000 wasp species in the nation, but there are three common wasps in particular to keep an eye out for during the summer. It can be difficult to identify wasps on your own, making it best to always enlist the help of a professional pest control company. The team at Rentokil have gathered important info to know about common wasps in the summertime–keep reading to learn more.

Most Common Wasps in the Summer

Yellow Jackets

During the summertime, yellow jackets are infamous for being aggressive. Yellow jackets congregate in colonies of up to or more than 1,000 workers. Their nests are dangerous, especially when someone tries to knock one down without a professional pest control company. Yellow jackets will not bother you unless they feel threatened, in which case they may sting repeatedly*.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps build papery nests that can take the shape of an upside-down umbrella. These nests often hang from tree branches and twigs, as well as porch ceilings and door railings. Paper wasp nests typically contain anywhere from 20 to 30 wasps. Paper wasps aren’t as aggressive as yellow jackets, but they may sting to defend their nests. A paper wasp sting is known to be especially potent and dangerous*.

Mud Daubers

Just like their name suggests, mud daubers build their nests from mud. They are mostly black in appearance but may have light-colored markings. The most characteristic feature of the mud dauber is their thin, thread-like waist. Nests are usually located in covered areas such as porch ceilings, sheds, and attics. These wasps are less social than other types, often preferring to be solitary. Mud daubers aren’t as aggressive and will only sting* when directly handled.

* If you are stung by a wasp and are having a severe reaction, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

Preventing Summertime Wasps in Your Yard

Wasps may be attracted to your yard for several reasons. They tend to show up at outdoor events when food and drinks are left in the open, and can hover near unsealed trash cans. In your own property, regularly look under porches, decks, ceilings, and the sides of your home or business to look for nests in the summer. Take caution and always contact a professional if you do spot a nest. Never swat at wasps to avoid making them more aggressive and likely to sting.

Summertime Wasp Control

If you’ve done all you can to prevent yellow jackets, mud daubers, or paper wasps and still have spotted nests forming, it’s important to always contact a professional pest control company. At Rentokil, our wasp removal services are quick, safe, and effective.

Can Pests Trigger Springtime Allergies?

Pests may trigger your springtime allergies in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho - RentokilFew places are as beautiful as Northern Utah and Southern Idaho in the springtime. Unfortunately, springtime also means spring allergies! This time of year, many residents are suffering from runny noses and itchy eyes, among other seasonal allergy symptoms. But is it the weather causing your allergies, or something else? A little known fact is that pests like roaches, dust mites, rodents, and more could be behind the allergy symptoms so many people are experiencing this time of year.

Here at Rentokil, we are committed to helping our customers learn how to reduce pest-related allergens in the home.

Prevention Tips for Pest Allergens

To avoid exacerbating your seasonal allergies, it’s important to reduce pest allergens in your home as much as possible. Basic pest prevention goes a long way to eliminate these allergens:

  • Store food in sealed containers and clean kitchens on a daily basis.
  • Dispose of garbage regularly and use a tight-fitting lid.
  • Seal cracks and holes in homes, including entry points for utilities and pipes, screen doors, and windows.
  • Keep your basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry!
  • Wash blankets, rugs, and bedding in hot water or get them dry-cleaned.
  • Vacuum and dust your property frequently.
  • Keep pet food sealed in a tight container and wash food bowls.

What Pests Cause Allergies and Asthma?

Pest infestations can be dangerous for many reasons, from structural damage to disease. But they can cause allergies, as well! The biggest culprit is cockroaches–roach skins, droppings, and more have all been proven to trigger allergic reactions and asthma. Children are especially vulnerable to these types of allergies. Other pests include stinging insects, from yellow jackets and wasps to fire ants. A sting from any of these can cause an allergic reaction in certain individuals.

**If you experience severe symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling, wheezing, dizziness, or trouble breathing, call 911 or get medical attention immediately!

Getting Rid of Pests and Allergens

To stay safe from pest allergens, you need to stay safe from pests! If you’ve done all you can to prevent pests but are still dealing with them, it’s time to call the experts at Rentokil. Our team will work with you to customize a pest control plan suited to your unique needs.

Spring Pests and How to Prevent Them!

Prevent spring pests by spring cleaning your Northern Utah or Southern Idaho Home. Learn more from Rentokil.

It’s almost springtime in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho! Many people welcome the warming temperatures with open arms. Unfortunately, the start of spring is also the start of the pest season. As winter comes to a close, pests that were less active throughout the year will come back out with a vengeance! To protect your property from the many pest threats this time of year, it’s best to implement pest prevention measures into your spring cleaning routine this year. Keep reading for expert tips from the team here at Rentokil.

What Pests Are Common in Spring?

While some of these pests are active year-round, there tends to be a peak in activity this time of year. The pests you should be aware of in spring include:

  • Ants. Warming temperatures encourage ants to start invading once more.
  • Flies. In the spring and summer, flies are more active than ever and can be a big nuisance.
  • Rodents. Although they’re active year-round, rats and mice are a problem in the spring.
  • Stinging insects. Wasps and hornets are gearing up to build nests this time of year.
  • Stink bugs. After overwintering, people report a resurgence in stink bugs.

Avoiding Spring Pest Problems

This time of year, many people plan to spring clean their properties. There’s no better time to implement pest prevention into the mix! Some of our tips to prevent pests from finding your home the ideal place to infest include:

  • Thoroughly cleaning your windows and doors. Seal any cracks or crevices.
  • Deep-cleaning your carpets and rugs. Vacuum, shampoo, or even steam-clean the surface.
  • Sanitizing and cleaning your kitchen with a focus on your appliances. Crumbs and spilled liquids will welcome all sorts of bugs and pests.
  • Removing debris from your yard, and trim any shrubs or tree branches away from your home. Clear out your gutters and downspouts.
  • Checking on plumbing and pipes. Quickly address any leaks or blockages.
  • Keeping a tidy home at all times. Clean under furniture, wipe down surfaces, and inspect areas of your home that need some fixing up.

Professional Seasonal Pest Control

Without a doubt, your best defense against a pest infestation this season is to work with a professional exterminator. Our Rentokil team will work with you to develop a pest control plan suited to the unique needs of your property