Yellow jackets are a common, aggressive social wasp species frequently encountered in yards and parks, often becoming a significant nuisance, particularly in late summer and fall. These insects are often mistaken for bees, but they are actually wasps that can sting repeatedly, making them a greater threat to people and pets. Successfully dealing with a yellow jacket problem requires locating the colony, as simply managing foraging insects will not eliminate the source of the issue. This guidance provides practical methods for safely and effectively pinpointing the nest’s location.
Where Yellow Jackets Build Their Nests
Yellow jackets are cavity-nesters, meaning they prefer to build their structures in sheltered, enclosed spaces rather than hanging them exposed from a tree branch. Many species, including the Eastern Yellowjacket, primarily construct their nests underground. They frequently repurpose existing cavities, such as abandoned rodent burrows, expanding the space as the colony grows throughout the season. The only visible sign of a subterranean nest may be a small, busy entrance hole, often no larger than a nickel, with a constant stream of wasps flying in and out.
Above-ground nests are also common, with yellow jackets utilizing various structural voids for protection. These nests are often found inside wall voids of buildings, in attics, or beneath the eaves of a roof. Other favored locations include hollow logs, dense shrubs, woodpiles, or utility vaults. The nest itself is made from a pulp created by chewing weathered wood fibers mixed with saliva, resulting in a paper-like material.
Step-by-Step Tracking Methods
The most effective way to find a nest is by tracking the foraging yellow jackets back to their origin point, a process that requires patience and careful observation. Yellow jackets are known to fly in a straight, rapid path between a food source and their nest, a behavior often called the “bee-line.” Standing still and watching the flight path of several wasps can reveal a consistent direction of travel toward a hidden entrance.
If observation does not reveal a clear flight path, use a food bait to attract the wasps and establish a consistent line of sight. Yellow jackets forage for both protein to feed their larvae and sugar for energy, so the most successful bait depends on the time of year. In the summer, protein baits like tuna-flavored canned cat food, cold cuts, or ground meat are highly attractive. As the season progresses into late summer and fall, the wasps shift their preference to sugary foods like fruit jelly, juice, or grenadine.
Place a small amount of the appropriate bait on a shallow dish in an area where you have seen yellow jacket activity, and then observe from a safe distance. Once a wasp takes a piece of bait, it will fly directly toward the nest; watch for this distinct, straight-line flight pattern. The process of “leapfrogging” involves following the wasp’s direction of flight for a short distance, then setting up a new observation point closer to the presumed nest location. Repeating this incremental process allows you to narrow down the nest’s location.
Optimal Timing and Safety Considerations
The best time to search for an active nest is during the hours of peak yellow jacket activity, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During this mid-day period, the weather is usually warm enough for a high volume of foragers to be flying in and out of the nest, making the flight path easier to spot. If the temperature is extremely hot or unusually cold, this window of activity may be shorter as the insects become sluggish.
Safety is paramount when attempting to locate a yellow jacket nest due to the insect’s aggressive nature and ability to sting multiple times. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes to minimize exposed skin. Avoid using strong perfumes, colognes, or sweet-smelling personal care products, as these scents can attract the wasps.
Once the nest entrance is successfully located, maintain a substantial distance, ideally 10 to 20 feet away, to avoid agitating the colony. Yellow jackets will aggressively defend their nest if they feel threatened. Vibrations from footsteps or sudden movements can trigger a defensive swarm. Discreetly marking the location with a non-intrusive item, such as a flag, allows for easy re-identification without disturbing the insects.