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Wasp, Yellow Jacket, Cicada Killer, & Digger Bee Control

Two yellow jacket wasps tending the young in their cells in a honeycomb paper nest.

Wasp and yellow jacket control are among our most in-demand summer services. As the Georgia summer gets hotter, stinging insect activity heats up -- and so do our phone lines.

When most people think about stinging insects, the first species that comes to mind are honey bees. But actually, most of the stinging insects in Atlanta and North-Central Georgia are wasps or hornets, not bees.

Wasps and bees are related. They both belong to the taxonomical order hymenoptera. But they are not the the same insects. Among the many differences are that unlike bees, wasps do not make honey; and most wasps are insignificant as pollinators.

In addition, honey bees are highly social, but wasps vary greatly in their social structure, ranging from none at all (as in the case of solitary wasps) to highly advanced (as in the case of hornets and some other social wasp species).

Wasps do have their place in the natural ecosystem, however. Some, in fact, are considered beneficial, like the cicada killer wasp, the aphid wasp, and several other parasitic wasps that help control destructive insect populations. But no wasp specie is as vital and beneficial as are the bees.

Wasps of Georgia

There are many species of wasps who vary in their size, coloration, biology, and habits. They also vary in their aggressiveness. Some wasps, such as hornets and some yellow jackets, are highly aggressive. But some other wasps, like many of the "paper wasps," are relatively passive and usually won't sting unless they are provoked.

The wasps most commonly encountered in Georgia are hornets, yellow jackets, and various species of paper wasps. We provide control of all of these wasps.

Yellow Jackets

Yellow jacket wasp on a yellow flower

Yellow jacket wasps are common throughout Georgia.

There are a number of wasp species commonly called yellow jackets in Georgia. These wasps vary in their appearance, aggressiveness, and habits. As a group, however, yellow jackets are considered very aggressive, although not quite so aggressive as hornets. They can deliver a painful sting and will attack in large groups if their nests are threatened.

Yellow jackets are commonly seen buzzing around trash pails, dumpsters, and discarded beverage containers where they are foraging for food; as well as around their nests, which may be located a considerable distance away.

Most yellow jacket wasps build nests in voids in hollow trees, attics, wall and ceiling voids, soffits, rock walls, abandoned cars, crawl spaces, and other protected areas. They also may build nests in the ground, usually in abandoned animal burrows.

In urban areas of Georgia like Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Columbus, and Roswell, yellow jacket control is often needed around picnic areas, outdoor cafes, golf courses, and other recreational areas.

In more rural parts of Georgia, we get a lot of calls for yellow jacket control at farms, campgrounds, children's summer camps, and residences. We have a variety of control methods that can be used to reduce yellow jacket populations in all of these areas.

Paper Wasps

Paper wasps on a nest

There are many species of wasps found in Georgia that are commonly called "paper wasps." They vary in their habits and aggressiveness.

As with yellow jackets, there are many species of wasps known as "paper wasps." They get their name from their practice of building nests made of paper that they manufacture from chewed wood and bodily secretions.

Some paper wasp species prefer to build their nests in hollow voids in attics, roof soffits, wall voids, hollow fence posts, and similar areas. Other paper wasp species prefer building exposed nests, usually under overhangs, on window and door frames, or on the undersides of porch or gazebo roofs.

Most paper wasps are solitary, but multiple solitary paper wasps often build nests in the same areas. But most paper wasps are not considered "social" insects because there is no apparent division of labor nor cooperation between nests.

Most species of paper wasps are not very aggressive. They will attack and sting if threatened or provoked, but they are not as territorial as yellow jackets or hornets and are less likely to go out their way to sting someone who isn't bothering them. Paper wasp control varies in difficulty depending on the size and location of the nest and the aggressiveness of the particular specie of wasp.

Cicada Killers

Cicada killer wasp on a window screen in Buford, Georgia

Cicada killers are large, intimidating, solitary wasps that live in the ground and prey on cicadas.

Cicada killer wasps (sometimes called "lawn wasps") resemble large yellow jackets, but their behavior is unique. Cicada killers catch and paralyze cicadas, drag them into their nests in the ground, and lay eggs on them. The cicadas then serve as food for the cicada killer's young as they develop. The eggs hatch within a day or two after they are laid, and the larvae feed on the cicadas.

Male cicada killers cannot sting and are harmless, but their aggressive flight scares people. It's all a show. They don't have stingers.

Female cicada killers do have stingers and may sting humans if they feel threatened, but they are generally non-aggressive toward people. Cicada killer control becomes necessary when the insects' powerful, aggressive flying style scares people, when they do damage by creating unsightly holes in lawns or golf courses, or when they are present in great numbers and simply become too annoying to ignore.

Digger Bees

Digger bees are a group of bees that live in the ground. Although technically solitary bees, they tend to dig their holes in close proximity to each other and may forage together. But each hole is an individual nest tended by one female. Digger bees are common throughout Georgia, often occurring in the same places every year.

Although they can sting, digger bees are less aggressive than most other bees and wasps. They generally won't sting unless they are threatened. Their stings can be painful, however, and are very dangerous to individuals with bee allergies.

Rid-A-Critter provides professional hornet control, yellow jacket control, wasp control and carpenter bee control in Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Columbus, Roswell, and throughout North Central Georgia. We have the know-how and equipment to safely remove stinging insects from your property, no matter where they are nesting. Please call us for prompt, professional control of any stinging insect problem.

Stinging Insect Gallery

Here are a few pictures of wasp and hornet control jobs we've done in Atlanta and throughout our Georgia service area.

Left pointing arrow. Right pointing arrow.

Paper yellow jacket wasp nest in a bucket after being removed from the attic of a house in Acworth Georgia.
Yellow jacket nest removed from an Acworth attic
Gap in the edge of the roof reveals several paper wasps nests in the attic of a house in Cumming Georgia.
Paper wasps nest in the attic of a Cumming home
Gap in the edge of the roof reveals paper wasps nests in the eaves of a house in Canton Georgia.
Paper wasps in the eaves of a Canton home
Quarter inch gap in the miter joint at the corner of the roof trim allowed yellow jacket wasps into the attic of a Griffin Georgia home.
Yellow jacket entry gap at a house in Griffin
About a dozen paper wasps building a golf ball sized nest under the soffit of a house in Buford Georgia.
Paper wasp nest on a house in Buford
Mason wasp with a caterpillar it intends to eat or feed to its young
Four-toothed Mason wasp
Yellow jackets nest with part torn away to show the larval wasps inside the paper nest cells
Inside of a yellow jackets\' nest
Paper wasp nest behind the gap between the fascia and roof sheathing of a house in Gainesville Georgia
Paper wasps nest in Gainesville
Paper wasp on the leaf of a plant eating a caterpillar
Paper wasp feeding on a caterpillar
Several red paper wasps in a clump outside a barn
Red paper wasps on the outside of a barn
Yellow jackets nest between two seat cushions stored in a plastic storage bin
Yellow jackets nest between two seat cushions
Two yellow jacket wasps on a paper nest tending the eggs and the young
Yellow jacket wasps tending a nest
Paper wasps nest in a roof construction gap in a house in Acworth, Georgia
Paper wasps nest in a house in Acworth
A wasp inside the window of a pest control service vehicle
A wasp hitch-hiking in one of our service trucks
Yellow jackets' nest in a pine straw bale on a pickup truck bed in Georgia
A yellow jackets' nest in a pine straw bale
Remnants of a yellow jackets' nest after being removed from crawl in Roswell GA
Yellow jacket removal job in Roswell, Georgia
Yellow jacket wasp on a yellow flower
Yellow jacket on a flower
Yellow jacket nest on a window frame in Mountain Park, Georgia
Yellow jacket nest on a window frame
Yellow jacket nest removal job in Mountain Park, Georgia
Yellow jacket nest in Mountain Park, Georgia
Yellow jackets removed from Norcross, Georgia
Yellow jackets removed from Norcross, Georgia
Red wasps outside the hole leading to their nest
Red wasp extermination job in Jackson, GA
Paper wasp nest in an electrical fixture on the ceiling of a porch in Canton
Paper wasp extermination in Canton, Georgia
Men leaning over roof of an industrial building removing yellow jackets
Yellow jacket removal job in Piedmont, Georgia
Paper wasps on a nest
Paper wasps are common throughout Georgia
Mud dauber wasp under a roof soffit in Norcross, Georgia
Mud dauber wasp in Norcross, Georgia
Hornets' nest on a window in Loganville, GA
Hornets' nest on a window in Loganville, GA
Hornets on a window in Loganville, Georgia
Hornet extermination job in Loganville, Georgia
Cicada killer on a window screen in Buford, Georgia
Cicada killer on a window screen in Buford

For help with wasp, yellow jacket, or stinging insect control in North Georgia, please call us today.

 

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Sold a exclusion in Gray Ga for bats now to Griffin Ga for a dead animal smell in a commercial building then to Meansville Ga for a quote for animal exclusion, possibly more bats.
by Jason Arruda
May 30, 2023 12:31:31 pm.

Oglethorpe Ga customer having issues with something entering her crawlspace. Headed out to do a inspection.
by Jason Arruda
May 25, 2023 10:06:56 am.

Critter truck getting maintenance then it’s off to Gray Ga for noises in the attic.
by Jason Arruda
May 24, 2023 10:23:13 am.

Zebulon, Thomaston, Butler, Ellaville, Americus, Albany and Moultrie Ga cities I’ll be today quoting wildlife removal services.
by Jason Arruda
May 23, 2023 10:22:46 am.

Exclusion sold in Gray Ga. Going to be another satisfied customer.
by Jason Arruda
May 18, 2023 04:00:20 pm.

Was able to squeeze another customer in today in Gray Ga. Issue is bats.
by Jason Arruda
May 18, 2023 02:58:01 pm.

In Tyrone Ga on a few exclusion quotes, then to Fayetteville Ga. Bats, squirrels and attic noise
by Jason Arruda
May 18, 2023 10:01:35 am.

Doing inspections/quotes in Butler Ga., Thomaston Ga., and Griffin Ga. today from Snakes in a crawl space, bats in a gable and squirrels in the attic.
by Jason Arruda
May 11, 2023 11:04:31 am.

Wildlife Crews across Georgia and Alabama sealing homes, removing animals and insulation replacement. Be safe out there. Making customers happy!
by Jason Arruda
May 10, 2023 09:06:09 am.

Going to be in Macon Ga all day today quoting animal exclusions. Bats, squirrels and snakes.
by Jason Arruda
May 09, 2023 09:13:28 am.

Quoted animal (rats, squirrels) exclusions in Luthersville Ga, Peachtree City Ga and Griffin Ga. so far. We have a crew in Jeffersonville Ga. Doing Carpenter bee service.
by Jason Arruda
May 08, 2023 01:50:14 pm.

Quoted a home in Fayetteville for squirrels and getting ready to go to Miledgeville for a Carpenter bee quote for a log cabin.
by Jason Arruda
May 02, 2023 11:14:43 am.

Albany Ga today quoting bat removal/Exclusion.
by Jason Arruda
May 01, 2023 09:22:28 am.

Calls coming in from bats to squirrels and everything in between. Visiting homes in the Fayetteville, Griffin, Newnan areas today. Exclusions are being scheduled! Happy Tuesday
by Jason Arruda
Apr 25, 2023 11:53:41 am.

I’ll be quoting in Fayette, Spalding, Upson and Pike Counties today. Bats, squirrels and Carpenter bees.
by Jason Arruda
Apr 17, 2023 09:15:51 am.

Dodging the rain, started off in Atlanta, mice in the attic, then out to temple, ga. Has had rats, now has a raccoon who has ripped down the soffit.
by Chris Collender
Apr 14, 2023 09:31:01 am.

Out quoting exclusions for Bats, Bats and more Bats in Miledgeville today.
by Jason Arruda
Apr 14, 2023 09:04:23 am.

Carpenter bees are out and about, quoted a larger home in dawsonville, he has holes everywhere
by Chris Collender
Apr 11, 2023 10:36:29 am.

Beautiful day, started off in Ellenwood, mice in the kitchen, now headed to rats in a rental property in Atlanta
by Chris Collender
Apr 05, 2023 09:34:04 am.

Trying to work around this rain, Mableton, ga quote for mice, then off to Temple, ga for squirrels, now headed to Snellville for rats
by Chris Collender
Apr 03, 2023 12:08:49 pm.

Beautiful day to be out and about, quoted squirrel jobs in Decatur(where it’s greater), and Riverdale, headed out to Covington for mice, back to Marietta for squirrels chewing on facia board
by Chris Collender
Mar 29, 2023 03:16:33 pm.

Rain rain go away, in Stone Mountain today
by Chris Collender
Mar 27, 2023 11:18:39 am.

In Oglethorpe, Montezuma, Vienna and Byron Ga. today quoting homes Wildlife Exclusions that has Bats and squirrels.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 23, 2023 11:31:15 am.

Bat calls are coming in already with the mild winter in middle to south ga. Tifton, Vienna, Cordele, Zebulon, and Barnesville Ga. Just to name a few cities I’ll be today and tomorrow.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 22, 2023 12:41:29 pm.

Good morning, glad to back, was out 2 1/2 months cause I broke my leg, time to quote some houses
by Chris Collender
Mar 20, 2023 09:48:34 am.

In Tifton Ga giving a quote for a commercial building for squirrels and then headed to another commercial building in Americus Ga for bats. Ending the day in Macon Ga for a residential quote for Rats. Have a good day!
by Jason Arruda
Mar 13, 2023 11:57:15 am.

Scurrying in the attic, scratching in the walls sounds like you may have critters. Going to some homes today hearing these noises.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 10, 2023 09:34:34 am.

Wildlife exclusions for Bats, rats and squirrels are keeping us busy in Barnesville, Macon and Albany Ga.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 09, 2023 10:44:54 am.

Headed to Vienna Ga after a customer referred they’re neighbors to us.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 08, 2023 10:35:37 am.

Helping the technicians today with a Bat Exclusion on Lake Jackson Ga.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 07, 2023 10:47:30 am.

Started off in Rome ga, raccoons in the crawl space, then headed to Atlanta, ga, rats in the attic
by Chris Collender
Jan 05, 2023 11:48:37 am.

Happy New years, back at it, started off in Conyers ga, squirrels, then headed to Stone Mountain ga, rats in the attic, now In Gainesville ga, bats in the house
by Chris Collender
Jan 02, 2023 11:16:26 am.

Rid-A-Critter provides wasp and stinging insect control in all of North Georgia, including Athens, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Cumming, Dacula, Doraville, Ellijay, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Jasper, Lawrenceville, Loganville, Macon, Milton, Norcross, Rome, Roswell, Suwanee, Villa Rica, Winston, Woodstock, Young Harris, and everywhere in between.

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