Spending time in your yard during summer and fall can be enjoyable, but it also increases the chances of encountering stinging insects. Instead of letting these pests take over, learn how to identify them and reduce the risks they pose to your family and guests.

This guide from Dewey Pest and Termite Control explains how to recognize common stinging insects in California, what to do if you’re stung, and how to prevent nests and infestations around your home.

1. Yellow Jackets

Yellow jackets are an aggressive type of wasp that guards their nests. You can identify them by their yellow and black-striped bodies. A sting typically causes sharp pain, swelling, and itchiness, and their smooth stingers allow yellow jackets to attack multiple times.

Their nests are usually built underground and made from a paper-like material created by chewing wood fibers. Because of their aggressive nature, it’s best to avoid disturbing a nest and contact a professional for removal.

2. Hornets

Hornets, such as the bald-faced hornet, are another stinging insect to watch for in California. This stinging insect has a larger, black-colored body than a yellow jacket and features white markings around its face.

While it’s generally a myth that all wasps and hornets are aggressive, bald-faced hornets are considered particularly quick to sting. They’re very territorial and protective of their nest. This leads them to sting when they feel their home is threatened. A hornet sting can quickly become red and swollen, and the swelling can potentially spread depending on where you’re stung.

3. Paper Wasps

You can identify paper wasps by their thin waist, long legs, and their brown and yellow bodies. A paper wasp sting produces an immediate, sharp, and burning pain. The pain will fade anywhere from a few hours to a few days, but it often leaves a raised bump on the sting site. If you suspect you have paper wasps around your yard, look for an umbrella-shaped open nest made of gray, papery material in trees or on roof eaves.

4. Bees

In addition to wasps, you’ll want to look out for bees in your California yard. Bees’ appearance varies by species, but they typically have round, fuzzy bodies with dark yellow and black stripes running across them. Many bee species live and work in colonies, where they defend their hive if they sense a threat.

Most bee stings cause short-term pain, redness, and swelling. However, people allergic to bee venom may experience severe reactions, including nausea, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, which require immediate medical attention.

How To Treat Insect Stings

If you’re stung by any of these pests, take proper action to treat it. Wash the affected area with soap and warm water. Once dried, apply cold pressure for about 10 to 15 minutes. Ask a medical professional if any over-the-counter medications or creams can help lessen the effects of the sting. For bee sting treatments, remove the stinger from the skin as soon as possible.

Stinging Insect Prevention Tips

The most effective way to avoid stings is to make your yard less attractive to stinging insects in the first place. Prevention involves removing food sources, limiting nesting sites, and staying aware of their behavior. Here are some strategies you can use around your home and yard:

• Remove attractants. Clean up food and drink spills quickly, and keep trash cans sealed to avoid drawing wasps, bees, and hornets.
• Watch for nests. Check eaves, trees, shrubs, and the ground for early signs of nesting activity, and address small nests before they grow.
• Limit strong scents. Skip heavily scented perfumes, lotions, or hair products outdoors, as these can mimic floral cues that attract insects.
• Inspect regularly. Walk your property often to catch potential entry points, cracks, or gaps where stinging insects could establish nests.

Professional Stinging Insect Control Services

While prevention helps, the most reliable results come from professional pest control. At Dewey Pest and Termite Control, our technicians use Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This science-based approach strikes a balance between effective pest control and environmental and public health considerations.

Get California Stinging Pest Control With Dewey Pest and Termite Control

There’s no better team to keep stinging insects away from your yard than Dewey Pest and Termite Control. Since 1929, our team of experienced technicians has resolved numerous stinging insect and other pest issues statewide through specialized treatments and proactive measures.

Find your nearest Dewey Pest and Termite Control service branch or contact us to schedule a stinging insect inspection today!