Yellow jackets are common stinging insects often encountered during outdoor activities. Understanding their behavior, particularly their visual preferences, can be a useful way to minimize unwanted interactions. Like many insects, yellow jackets perceive colors differently than humans, and these differences influence what attracts or deters them.
Colors That Attract Yellow Jackets
Yellow jackets are drawn to a range of colors, with bright yellow being a particularly strong attractant. This color is frequently associated with flowers that offer nectar, a food source for adult yellow jackets.
Yellow is so effective at luring them that it is commonly used in commercial and scientific traps designed to capture these insects.
Beyond yellow, other bright colors like white, blue, purple, and even bright orange can also attract yellow jackets. These hues often mimic the appearance of flowering plants or ripe fruits, signaling potential food sources in their natural environment.
Some bright colors, including yellow, blue, and orange, can also be perceived by wasps as signals related to other aggressive insects, further drawing their attention.
Colors That Repel Yellow Jackets
While certain colors attract yellow jackets, others tend to be less appealing or even deter them. Red is one such color, as many insects, including wasps, cannot perceive it as red; it often appears as a shade of gray to them. Consequently, wearing red clothing can make a person less noticeable to these insects.
Darker colors like black, navy blue, dark green, khaki, tan, and olive tones are also less attractive to yellow jackets. One theory suggests that dark colors might be associated with potential predators, such as bears or skunks, whose fur is often dark. These colors also do not resemble the bright flowers or food sources that typically attract yellow jackets, making them less likely to investigate.
Using Color to Manage Yellow Jackets
Leveraging knowledge about yellow jacket color preferences can be a practical strategy for managing encounters. When planning outdoor activities, choosing clothing in colors that yellow jackets find less appealing can help reduce their presence.
Opting for darker shades like navy blue, black, dark green, or earthy tones such as khaki, tan, or olive can make individuals less conspicuous to these insects.
Beyond clothing, color plays a role in the design and placement of yellow jacket traps. Many effective traps are colored yellow to maximize their attractiveness, drawing yellow jackets away from human activity. These traps often combine color with specific baits, such as sweet liquids or protein sources, to lure the insects inside.
Placing such traps approximately 20 feet away from gathering areas can divert yellow jackets, minimizing their presence where people are. Understanding and applying these color-based strategies offers a simple, non-chemical approach to reduce interactions with yellow jackets.