Types of Invasive Bees in Puget Sound
We love Honey Bees. Bees are incredibly helpful to our ecosystem. We don’t like wasps, yellow jackets, or hornets. Here’s how to identify and remove invasive bees.
Pest
Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps, Invasive Bees
Pest Category
Invasive Bees & Wasps
Do They Carry Disease?
No
Do They Cause Structural Damage?
Yes
Cost of Damage
Other Damage?
If the hive was built inside, it can cause damage. The hives, when lying on drywall, can cause the drywall to disintegrate and this can lead very large numbers of Yellow Jackets emerging into a structure unexpectedly. It can lead to dangerous situation. Their stings are also venomous.
Signs to Look For
Hives in and around structures, high levels of Yellow Jackets, Hornets, Wasps and invasive Bees activity around the outside of structures and constant activity coming from and going into any particular opening.
Where are they noticed?
Yellow Jackets build hives that start small and become much bigger over the warmer season. This wasp can build their hives almost anywhere. They can be found attached to a structure up high and closer to the ground. They can be found in attics, wall voids, crawlspaces, underside of decks, in shrubbery, trees and in the ground. When you see a large amount of Yellow Jacket activity going in and out of a particular opening it means you have a problem.
Habits
In the Northwest, there are a few suspect species that recur readily. The most common of these are the Yellow-jackets and the paper wasps. Of the two the Yellow-jacket is typically the more aggressive with the paper wasps often opting to shy away from human interaction which results in fewer sting incidents. Nevertheless, these are both nuisance pests that need to be addressed around homes and businesses in the northwest.
If Untreated…
Possible stings to people or pets.
Tips
Perform a preventative, exterior wasp treatment around the outside of a structure each spring and fall, which will greatly reduce the wasp population before they have a chance to build any significant hives. The lower the wasp population, the less chance of wasp problems.
You want a company to show up quickly, on time, and get rid of the pests that are bothering you. That is exactly what we specialize in. We are a family owned company with over 22 years experience that relies on service, not sales gimmicks.
Our philosophy is simple: We strive for excellence. Every employee in our company has this memorized, How we define excellence: “Giving the customer what they’re paying for, NO short cuts.” It is that simple. Our mission is to show up on time and get rid of the problem. No hassles. You can ask anyone in our company what our motto is and the answer will be the same.
No sales gimmicks or tricks. We’re consumers like everyone else, and don’t like someone trying to sell us something we don’t need, so we don’t do it here. We will tell you what you need, not what we want you to buy. That’s why we don’t make our customers sign contracts or remain obligated. You can use us for one service or many. We leave the decision up to you.
We are a service based business not a sales based business. Show up on time and do what you’re supposed to do. I am amazed at how many customers don’t expect this anymore from the companies they hire. When a company is providing an excellent service then referrals and increased sales are a natural result.
We've been the recipient of the Angi Super Service Award for 11 consecutive years
Professional pest control will help get rid of bees ONLY IF they are NOT honey bees. As pollinators, honey bees are incredibly helpful to our ecosystem, and we are committed to protecting them. Invasive bumble bees … and their relatives in the wasp family … are a different story, and yes, pest control can help get rid of them. While bumble bees don’t carry disease, they are venomous and a sting can create an allergic reaction. They also can cause structural damage if the hive is attached to drywall inside an attic. Bumble bee removal is not something to attempt on your own. Please call experienced pest control professionals like us at Classic Pest Control for proper identification of the type of bee and for their removal.
Yes, there are pest control methods that will get rid of ants. First, you must determine what kind of ants you have. Because the type determines the treatment. For some, like pavement ants, the right over the counter product, placed in the correct location, can remedy the problem. But for others, like carpenter ants and moisture ants, do it yourself treatments are not recommended. For this reason, it’s best to get a professional identification and recommendation. While most ants do not carry disease, some species can cause significant structural damage. So it’s best to deal with them sooner rather than later.
In general, pest control treats common household pests under the broad categories of rodents, insects, and spiders. Rodents can include rats (roof rats and Norway rats) as well as mice (house mice and field mice). Insects commonly treated by pest control methods include ants, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, bumble bees, silverfish, earwigs, fleas, powder post beetles, pantry moths, drain flies, grain beetles, bed bugs, carpet beetles, and cockroaches. Some common spiders treated by pest control include aggressive house spiders, orb web spiders, hobo spiders, and brown recluse spiders. Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list. You should speak directly with a pest control professional to find out what they’re able to treat.
Sometimes you see more bugs after pest control treatments. And you may question if the treatment is actually working because of this. Don’t worry. The extra activity actually is a sign that the treatment IS working. Not all pest control methods kill bugs on contact. But once the bugs have been disrupted by the treatment, they will become more active while they try to find a safer place. Once they either move out or die, you’ll stop seeing them. If you continue to see more live bugs once you’ve started treatment, be sure to notify your pest control company because something may have been missed or just not be quite right. Technicians are human, after all, and if there’s a problem, we want to fix it for you. At least, that’s our policy here at Classic Pest Control! We take care of problems, and we do it quickly.
The number of hours you need to stay out of your home after spraying for bugs depends on the pesticides and chemicals used. Sometimes this is two to four hours. Sometimes it’s up to 24 hours or more. If you or your family members have any underlying conditions that make you more sensitive to the pesticides and chemicals used, these time frames may be extended. This is absolutely a question you must ask your pest control provider. We recommend having this discussion when you schedule the service so that you’re fully prepared when the technician arrives. You should feel comfortable asking this question of any staff member who answers the phone or any technician who arrives at your home. At Classic Pest Control, we have a knowledgeable staff that you can trust with all of your questions.
The determination of how often you should do pest control in your home also depends on the treatment methods you’re using and the severity of your pest infestation. You may need treatments more often as you’re initially treating the problem. You may need pest control visits less often if your treatment methods are longer lasting. The goal is that your home is always protected. Your pest control provider can help you create a treatment schedule to keep your home and family safe from pests based on all of the particulars of your situation. Here at Classic Pest Control, our philosophy is that we’re a service-based business, not a sales-based business. That means we work with you to provide what you need, not what we want you to buy. We believe you deserve that respect. So how often you should do pest control in your home, is not a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s unique and specific to you.
Some methods of pest control attract bugs into traps using bait. And sometimes you’ll start noticing more bugs as pest control treatments start working. These are not new bugs coming into your home. They’re bugs that have been in your home all along, but now they’re dying or trying to find new places to live. Talk to your pest control professional if you’re noticing more live bugs once you’ve started treatment, because something may have been missed or just not be quite right.
Pest control can help get rid of cockroaches. In fact, complete removal of these persistent pests takes time and special knowledge that most homeowners simply don’t have. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies cockroach control as perhaps a homeowner’s most difficult task. The CDC also identifies cockroaches as an allergen source and an asthma trigger for residents. There are four parts to an integrated pest management strategy to get rid of these pests: prevention, sanitation, trapping, and chemical control. Getting help from pest control professionals like Classic Pest Control to get rid of cockroaches is the surest way to protect you and your family.
Pest control can help get rid of fleas, but it takes more than simply applying insecticide. To get rid of fleas, you must simultaneously treat all your pets and their environments, both inside and outside of your home. Before treating with insecticides, it’s important to thoroughly clean pet bedding, carpets, upholstery, pillows, etc. as well as bathe your pets using flea shampoo and then apply flea treatments to them. It’s best to get professional guidance, because multiple applications may be needed, especially in areas of high infestation.
Bed bugs — as warned about in the children’s rhyme “Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite” — do, in fact, bite. Bed bugs feed on blood, and while they are not known to spread disease, the bites can itch. And excessive scratching can lead to skin infection. Pest control can help get rid of bed bugs with treatment methods similar to those for fleas. Both cleaning and use of insecticides are important parts of the process.
Get a Free Estimate
Or Schedule Service
Sign up to receive our latest offers
Give us your name and email and we’ll send you the latest news and offers from Classic Pest Control and Insulation.