What Do the Yellow Jackets Eat?

Yellow jackets are some of the most easily recognized insects because of their black stripes and aggressiveness. These social wasps are commonly mistaken for honey bees, but different diets and behaviors distinguish them. By understanding their feeding habits, we can easily manage their presence in our house or garden.

Whether it is sugary foods or rich in protein food sources, yellow jackets have highly diverse food preferences. In this blog, we will find out what these insects feed on and methods you can use to keep them away from your property.

Understanding Yellow Jackets’ Dietary Habits

Yellow jackets are omnivores, which means they consume both animal and plant matter. They alter their diet according to fluctuations in the season and colony needs. In spring and the early part of summer, female workers spend time hunting for protein-rich foods such as dead insects and grubs of beetles to feed developing larvae during that period.

Yellow jackets are capable of changing their dietary habit as well. In late summer, they prefer to consume sweet substances such as nectar and ripe fruit. All of these changes in diet contribute to increasing their colony size and preparation for their new queens.

What Do Yellow Jackets Eat in Homes?

Yellow jackets always look for foods that are high in sugar or protein around homes. Some of the common items include:

1.   Sugary Drinks and Beverages

Yellow jackets are attracted to sweetened drinks such as sodas, fruit juices, and even sugary tea. They quickly locate such foods near open containers, especially during warm seasons. So, keeping beverage lids closed will lessen the chances of bringing these social wasps indoors.

2.   Leftover Meats and Protein Sources

Yellow jacket wasps hunt actively for proteins found around old meat, poultry, and fish. These are the ultimate foods that the larvae feed during their active life process. Ensure to dispose of protein waste and seal trashcans to avoid attracting them.

3.   Sweet Foods and Desserts

The other things that attract yellow jackets are sweet items such as cookies, sweeties, and cakes. The love of sugars brings them quite often to uncovered desserts. You can prevent yellow jacket infestation by covering sweet dishes and cleaning crumbs immediately.

4.   Trash Cans and Organic Waste

Open trash cans and poorly disposing of organic matter may also attract yellow jackets. They dig into the trash looking for food sources, sugar-based food or protein-rich waste products. This is why, make sure to tightly shut bins and remove waste regularly to keep them at bay.

5.   Pet Food and Spills

Pet food left in open bowls indoors could attract yellow jackets. Other than that, these insects might get attracted to spilled food or drink residue. Cleaning spills promptly and putting food in secure containers will help keep your home safe against such pests.

What Do Yellow Jackets Eat Outside?

In the outdoors, yellow jackets can feed on different kinds of food sources, such as:

• Nectar from flowers.
• Organic matter, such as decomposing animals.

Their activity peaks during outdoor events like picnics and barbecues, where sweetened with protein foods are served. They are known for their nasty, aggressive nature, making them unwelcome guests at such activities.

What Do Yellow Jackets Eat in House Gardens?

While there are several benefits of yellow jackets in your garden, there are dangers as well. They feed on:

• Pests such as aphids and caterpillars help in reducing harmful insects.
• Honeybees and other pollinators negatively impact the health of the garden.

Yellow jackets become a nuisance when they nest in gardens, especially in wall voids or in the ground.

Do Yellow Jackets Eat Insects?

Yes, yellow jackets are insect predators. They usually hunt for:

• Flies, beetle grubs, and other small insects.
• Honeybees are also one of their common prey because of their protein-rich bodies.

Yellow jackets play an important role in the ecosystem by keeping pests’ populations under control. But they are also a danger to humans because of the painful stings.

Ways to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets in Your Backyard

Here are some control measures to apply when yellow jacket populations become hard to manage:

1.   Traps for Yellow Jackets

Putting traps with sugary baits is one way to control yellow jacket wasp populations. They lure yellow jacket wasps to capture and prevent them from returning to the nest where they came from. One of the best areas to place traps is near food sources but make sure it is out of reach of humans for maximum safety.

2.   Professional Pest Control Services

When a yellow jacket infestation becomes too serious, hire expert pest control services like Safe Pest Sol immediately. They can find and take away yellow jacket nests from wall voids or even underground nests without being stung. Most importantly, hiring experts becomes more important if you or any family member have any allergy.

3.   DIY Methods for Nest Removal

Targeting aerial nests or underground nests with DIY solutions like soapy water is a practical approach. Spray with the soapy water solution early morning or late evening when wasps are less active. Always wear protective clothing during the process to prevent being stung by yellow jackets.

4.   Sealing Cracks and Entry Points

Another preventive measure to stop yellow jackets entering houses is sealing wall cracks and repairing damaged screens. There can be several small openings in the house that these insects will use to get in to search for food sources or to seek shelter. Inspecting such entries regularly will help you to identify those openings and vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Understanding the feeding habits of yellow jackets can help you control their presence in your area. While these insects are beneficial to control many pests, their aggressive behavior and preference for sugary and protein-rich foods may cause damage as well. Therefore, by following preventive measures such as securing food and dealing with infestations, you can protect yourself from such stinging pests.

FAQs

1. Why are yellow jackets attracted to sugary foods?

Mostly, sugar based foods attract yellow jackets through which they extract energy required to perform during day-to-day activities, particularly in late summer and autumn.

2. Do yellow jackets eat other wasps or bees?

Yes, yellow jackets consume honey bees and other insect species as a protein source for their larvae development.

3. How can I prevent yellow jackets from nesting in my backyard?

To prevent a yellow jacket infestation, eliminate potential nesting sites, secure trash cans, and use traps or pest control solutions as needed.

Keep Your Loved Ones Safe From Yellow Jackets. Call Professionals Now!

While yellow jackets are important for our ecosystem, they become dangerous when they stings. If you have noticed these pests around your place, call us right now and let our professionals help you get rid of them.