What Attracts Stinging Insects to North Carolina Homes
No one likes having run-ins with stinging insects. Whether it’s a single be or wasp that has found its way into your home or dozens of them attacking you out in your yard, those pests can disrupt your life, that's for sure. In some cases, they can even send you to the hospital! Needless to say, it is best to not have them around. So to keep these unfortunate run-ins from happening, it’s important to understand what attracts them to your yard. And some of the things that attract them may surprise you!
We all know that stinging insects are drawn to flowers; bees are important pollinators and wasps and hornets feed on the nectar from flowers. If you have flowers in your yard you can expect to have visits from honey bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, paper wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and more. But do you know that you don't even have to have flowers in your yard to attract stinging insects? It's true! If there are sweet smells in your yard, stinging insects will be curious. It could be juice left in a cup out on your deck or balcony. It might be the smell of cologne or perfume. Anything that smells sweet has the potential to attract stinging pests to your property!
However, some stinging pests eat more than just nectar. Wasps and yellow jackets are often found feeding on protein as well, and they get a lot of this protein from feeding on other insects. When flies come into your yard, it attracts the spiders that eat them and when spiders come into your yard, it can attract hungry wasps. And while there aren’t any animals that eat adult wasps, some are brave enough to feed on the larvae found inside their nests. This could bring a raccoon, skunk, or other wildlife animals into your yard. These wildlife pests will also feed on the honey in beehives as well.
When stinging pests come into your yard, they will often target open trash receptacles. There are many food options available to stinging insects in bags of trash including both sweets and proteins. For this reason, keeping your trash stored in clean, sealed containers is a crucial step in preventing nests from being established on your property. Bright colors and floral patterns on your home or your clothing can also draw stinging insects into your yard, so it’s important to be mindful of this when spending time outdoors.
In addition to the attractants listed above, an indirect attractant for stinging insects is moisture. A home that has moisture issues around its perimeter will also have pest problems as there are many pests that are drawn to dampness and pools of stagnant water. And the wasps around your property will be drawn to your home to feed on those insects.
The effective control of stinging pests requires ongoing inspections and routine treatments that manage pest populations. If you have fewer active bugs on your property, you'll have fewer spiders, wasps, and other pests as a result. Pest management is a complex field of study, so these inspections and treatments should be performed by a licensed professional. When applied by an educated and experienced professional, green pest control and natural control methods will be chosen first, and targeted and limited use of EPA-approved pest products will only be used where they are absolutely necessary. A professional is also equipped to deal with the proper removal of nests. In many cases, removal can be achieved without the need for an application of insecticides. That is good news for your pets and for anyone living in your home.
Are you seeing stinging insects on your North Carolina property? Do you live in the Greater Charlotte area? Reach out to us A-1 Pest Control! We have residential pest control programs that provide coverage for stinging pests as well as a variety of other pests. We'll help you get the protection you need! A-1 is your one-stop service for all the pests you're concerned about. With our Home Shield Plus and Home Shield Complete plans, you get protection from stinging insects and vital reduction services for other dangerous pests like mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and fire ants. To get started, reach out to us today and schedule a free home estimate! No North Carolina home should be without a pest protection plan. Get yours in place today with A-1 Pest Control!