Yellow Jackets Can Build Super Nests the Size of Small Cars!

In the most recent Transformers movie, fan favorite Bumblebee not only takes the form of a Volkswagen Beetle, but also switches to a more aggressive Yellowjacket robot mode when his human friends are threatened. That’s all well and good for a robot in a movie.

But now imagine, a hive of mad, stinging yellow jacket wasps that’s as big – or larger – than a VW Beetle.

No Imagination Necessary

That’s what several areas of Alabama actually dealt with back in 2006. And a leading researcher says it can easily happen again this year. And to a much larger extent.

Charles Ray, an entomologist with Auburn University’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology dealt with the giant wasps’ nests 13 years ago. He cites hives several feet long and wide, with 15-thousand wasps or more. One nest in South Carolina had more than 250,000 workers. No, we didn’t ask how he counted them.

This year, thanks to the mild winter, he says he’s gotten reports of 2, maybe 3 of the giant hornet’s nests popping up again – even earlier than they were found in 2006.

By The Numbers

Normally, a wasp’s nest consists of several queens and around 3000-5000 workers. But when cold weather hits, the drones die off and the queens disperse to form new colonies in the Spring. But if the weather doesn’t hit cool enough temperatures, the drones keep multiplying. And you get nests that range anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 workers.

That’s nothing you want to stumble into.

Normally, a yellow jacket nest is built into the ground or natural cavities in rocks or trees. But these super colonies are growing along the sides of houses and other human structures. While there have only been a few giant hornet’s nests located so far, Ray is expecting those nests to keep growing and believes it’s only a matter of time before many more pop up.

Stay Safe!

Scientists do warn people not to approach or disturb the structure. Call for a licensed and highly trained pest control technician – and many of them won’t tackle these super-hives.

The good news is the chance of us seeing one of those giant nests in our part of Florida is rare. But if you do encounter wasps nests – even the small mud wasps prevalent around here – approach it with caution. Or cover your bases and reach out to us at Good News Pest Solutions. As part of our Perimeter Plus Green Pest solution, we’ll clear out any wasps nests and close up the hidden insect entry points to your home. Then we re-treat with our risk-reduced, 100% organic pest solutions that ward off the standard creepy crawlies found in homes from Lakewood Ranch all the way to Punta Gorda. To schedule your appointment, give us a call today!