I've started noticing yellowjackets in several upstairs rooms over the past few weeks. They're clustering near the closed windows and dying because they can't find a way out. It's not a huge number—maybe around 100 in total—but it's quite alarming. I've investigated and found a couple of small holes in one corner of a room, so I cut out some drywall to check, but I didn't find any nests or signs of yellowjackets coming from there. I also examined the outside of my home, which has stucco and cedar siding, but couldn't spot any damage or openings. To be thorough, I even used an infrared camera to look for heat signatures but found nothing. It's hard to track their entry point since they're not abundant enough to observe closely and I'm hesitant to call an exterminator who might just start cutting into the walls. Any tips on how to find the source and deal with this?
3 Answers
OMG, when you cut into the drywall, my heart dropped for you! ? If you’ve disturbed a nest before, you know it can get pretty chaotic. If you're still unsure, maybe set up a camera outside to catch when they leave the nest; that might give you a better idea of where they're coming from without risking getting too close.
The source is definitely the Devil! ? Just kidding. But seriously, watch outside early in the morning when they're most active; you might spot where they're leaving from. That's how I tracked down the nest last year!
Sounds like you might have a pretty significant nest hidden somewhere! I'd start searching in your attic, crawl spaces, or areas within the walls. You could also try using Diatomaceous Earth dust instead of those wasp sprays; they didn't work for me when I had a similar issue. Plus, consider grabbing a stethoscope to listen for them if they're in the walls—might give you a clue about where to look next!
Yeah, definitely explore your attic and soffits. It's surprising how these pests can sneak in. Just be careful when you're poking around, you don't want to surprise a bunch of them!