Yellow Jacket
Aggressive ground-nesting wasps that sting repeatedly and defend nests violently.
Photo: chiachiwu (CC0) · public domain/CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
About 12–16 mm, with bold yellow and black banded markings and a narrow waist. Smooth-bodied (no fur like bees), with folded wings at rest. The southern yellow jacket is the most common Florida species.
Ground burrows, wall voids, attic spaces and occasionally in hanging carton nests under eaves. They scavenge near garbage and food, making them common at outdoor dining areas.
- Wasps flying in and out of a ground opening, wall void or eave
- Multiple stings when mowing or walking over an underground nest
- Wasps scavenging sugary food and meat at outdoor events
- A papery carton nest visible in a wall or eave void
Yellow jackets sting repeatedly without dying and attack in large numbers when the nest is threatened. Stings can cause severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. Ground nests in high-traffic areas are a serious hazard.
Rhino locates the nest entrance, treats at dusk when workers are inside, and removes the nest structure to prevent re-use. Never attempt ground nest removal without protective equipment.
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