Yellow jackets are social wasps that build nests in various locations, often close to human activity. Knowing their preferred nesting sites can help in identifying and avoiding them.
Underground Nesting Sites
Yellow jackets frequently establish their colonies in subterranean environments, utilizing existing cavities for protection and thermal stability. Abandoned rodent burrows are a favored choice, providing a ready-made, sheltered space. Small piles of dirt and stones around a burrow entrance can indicate an active underground nest.
Beyond rodent burrows, yellow jackets also nest in hollows within tree roots, gaps beneath rocks or logs, and even insulation under concrete slabs or patios. These concealed locations offer defense against predators and the elements, maintaining a consistent temperature. The nests, enclosed within a papery shell, can house thousands of workers by late summer.
Above-Ground Nesting Sites
While many yellow jacket species are ground-nesters, others construct their homes in a variety of above-ground locations, often seeking out sheltered, void spaces. Common sites include wall cavities, attics, and the eaves of buildings. These structural voids offer excellent concealment and protection from weather conditions, making them suitable for nest development.
Yellow jackets may also build nests in sheds, hollow trees, dense shrubs, or even discarded items such as old tires or furniture. Nests found in these spaces are also made from a papery pulp and can be quite large, sometimes reaching the size of a basketball. The specific location chosen depends on the yellow jacket species, but all provide the necessary shelter for the growing colony.
Identifying a Yellow Jacket Nest
Recognizing a yellow jacket nest involves observing both visual cues and the insects’ characteristic behaviors. The entrance to a nest, whether underground or above ground, often appears as a small opening, typically around the size of a nickel, with constant yellow jacket activity. For underground nests, a steady stream of yellow jackets entering and exiting a hole in the ground is a strong indicator.
The nest material itself is papery, often grayish and somewhat wavy in texture, formed from chewed wood fibers mixed with saliva. While nests in open areas might be spherical, those in confined spaces like wall voids can be irregularly shaped to fit the cavity. Yellow jackets exhibit a distinct flight pattern, often flying in a rapid, side-to-side motion before landing and maintaining consistent flight paths when entering and exiting the nest. Observing these straight flight lines can help in locating a hidden nest.