It starts with one or two zipping around your drink. Next thing you know, there’s a bunch of them buzzing your trash bins, hovering near the porch, and chasing your dog around the yard.
Yellow jackets don’t mess around—and if they’ve made themselves at home on your property, it’s time to act fast. These aren’t just your average backyard bugs. They’re aggressive, fast, and known for stinging a lot.
Let’s dive into why yellow jacket control in New Canaan is something you shouldn’t ignore.
Yellow jackets are a type of wasp, but they’ve got their own thing going on. Smaller than hornets but meaner than bees, these little guys are easy to spot by their bright yellow-and-black stripes and quick, jerky flying style.
Unlike bees, yellow jackets:
Can sting multiple times
Get aggressive fast
Are super protective of their nest
Love meat, sweets, and trash—so they’re often near food
By mid-to-late summer, the colony is at its biggest, and food sources are low—which is why they start showing up at your BBQ or hovering near your kids’ juice boxes.
One of the trickiest parts of yellow jacket control is figuring out where they’re coming from. These wasps often nest underground or in hidden wall voids, which makes ‘em harder to find—and treat.
Common nesting spots include:
Holes in the ground (they love abandoned rodent burrows)
Inside wall cavities or attic spaces
Behind siding or shutters
In unused sheds or grills
Inside insulation, especially in garages or basements
If you see a steady stream of yellow jackets coming and going from a specific hole or crack, chances are the nest is nearby.
A lotta folks try to take care of yellow jackets themselves—hey, we get it. Those long-range sprays look tempting. But more often than not, DIY efforts lead to a bunch of angry stings and a nest that’s still going strong.
Why DIY fails:
You only kill a few wasps, not the whole colony
The queen survives and keeps laying eggs
Spraying during the day triggers attack mode
The nest moves somewhere harder to reach
Or worse—you get stung multiple times (and yeah, it hurts)
If you’re even slightly allergic, this can be straight-up dangerous. That’s why yellow jacket control in New Canaan should usually be left to someone who knows what they’re doing.
Hiring a pest pro means the job gets done fast—and safely. The good ones don’t just kill the visible wasps. They go after the whole colony, especially the queen, to make sure the problem’s really gone.
Here’s how it usually works:
Inspection – Find the nest, figure out if it’s inside or underground
Treatment – Use pro-grade dusts or foams that reach the queen
Nest Removal – In many cases, the nest can be removed after treatment
Seal-Up – If it was in a wall or attic, they’ll close off entry points
Prevention Advice – You’ll get tips to keep yellow jackets from coming back
Sometimes, a single treatment is all you need. In other cases—especially if the nest is big or hard to reach—you may need a follow-up visit.
Once the nest is gone, don’t relax too fast. Yellow jackets return to the same areas each year if it still feels like “home.”
Here’s how to discourage them:
Seal up cracks in walls, siding, and foundation
Put tight lids on garbage bins
Clean up fallen fruit or open food
Keep pet food indoors
Install fine mesh over attic vents
Watch for early nest-building activity in spring
A little prevention in early summer can save you a world of stings later on.
How much does yellow jacket removal cost?
Most jobs cost between $150–$350 depending on the nest’s size and location.
Do yellow jackets sting more than once?
Yes, unlike bees, they can sting over and over—and they often do.
Are yellow jackets dangerous?
Very. Especially for people with allergies or if the nest is in a high-traffic area. Multiple stings can send you to the ER.
What’s the best time to treat a nest?
Early morning or late evening when all the yellow jackets are inside the nest and less active.
Can yellow jackets rebuild after extermination?
Not if the queen is eliminated and entry points are sealed. But another colony might return the next season if prevention steps aren’t taken.
Yellow jackets are aggressive, sneaky, and can make your summer miserable in no time. If you’re spotting them near your home—or getting stung just walking across the lawn—it’s time to do something about it.
A trusted pro who handles yellow jacket control in New Canaan will deal with the nest fast, keep your family safe, and give you tips to make sure it doesn’t happen again.