I live in rural Georgia and have dealt with yellow jackets for years. This year, there seem to be more than ever, buzzing around my porch and following me when I walk around. I've already killed two nests but can't find any more. The situation is frustrating because I'm a nature lover who usually avoids harming bees, but these yellow jackets are relentless and have stung my family multiple times. We don't have any food outside and have tried bait traps, but nothing seems to help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated since I just want to enjoy my coffee outside without the hassle!
3 Answers
It's that time of year again! Yellow jackets tend to get more aggressive as summer winds down because they're running out of food. I recommend reaching out to your state's Master Gardener program. They can provide expert advice tailored to your area, and sometimes they send volunteers to help with these pesky insects.
In my experience, yellow jackets love to nest near water sources. I've been using peppermint spray around my A/C drips, and it seems to keep them at bay. If you notice any more nests popping up, definitely give that a try!
I totally feel your pain! Yellow jackets can build nests in tricky places like high areas on houses. It’s best to get an exterminator involved since they know how to properly treat the area to prevent them from coming back. Don’t try to tackle this on your own if it's on your home!
Thanks for the tip! I'll give the peppermint spray a shot. Anything to keep them away!