Yellow Jacket
Aggressive ground-nesting wasps that sting repeatedly and defend nests violently.
Yellow Jacket (Vespula squamosa) is a Florida pest we rate as a dangerous concern. Bee & wasp removal in Florida's Treasure & Space Coast is handled by Rhino Pest Management, a local, licensed (#JB242881) and insured company rated 5.0★ across 16 Google reviews. Ask for a free estimate at (772) 589-6842.
Photo: chiachiwu (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.
Should I call today?
Yes — treat this as a priority. Yellow Jacket poses a real risk to people or pets, so don't try to handle it yourself: disturbing it is how most people get hurt. Keep everyone clear of the area and get a professional out to identify and remove it.
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.
Our Bee & Wasp Removal serviceMore stinging insects
Long-legged brown-and-yellow wasps that build open umbrella nests under eaves and furniture.
ViewSolitary wasps that build mud tube nests on walls and pack them with paralyzed spiders.
ViewLarge hovering bees that bore perfect round holes in wood trim, fascia and fences.
ViewScientific source
For the biology behind this page, the University of Florida's IFAS Extension publishes a detailed Featured Creatures profile of this species — free to read, and written by entomologists in this state:
Yellowjackets and Hornets, Vespula and Dolichovespula spp. — UF/IFAS Extension