Yellow Jackets
Vespula and Dolichovespula species
DangerousWhat it is
Aggressive social wasps that may nest underground, in wall voids, cavities, or aerial nests depending on species. They are attracted to sweets and proteins and can sting repeatedly when threatened.
How to recognize it
- About 1/2 inch long with bright yellow and black bands
- Smooth, shiny body with a narrow waist, not fuzzy like a bee
- Quick, side-to-side flight before landing
- Gray, papery nest, often underground or inside wall voids
Where you will find it
Ground burrows (often old rodent holes), wall voids, attics, and trees. They show up at trash cans, picnics, and sweet drinks.
Why it matters
They sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively. A buried nest is easy to disturb by accident, so avoid it.
Look-alikes
- Honey bee: Fuzzy and golden-brown, less aggressive, and stings once.
- Paper wasp: Slimmer, with long dangling legs and an open, umbrella-shaped nest.
- Hover fly: Mimics yellowjackets but has two wings, no sting, and hovers in place.
What to do
- Stay calm and walk away. Don't swat.
- Seal food and trash, since they seek sugar and protein in late summer.
- Watch from a distance to find the nest entrance, and don't block it.
- Leave ground and wall nests to a professional.
- Don't plug a wall entrance. Wasps can chew their way into the house.
When to call a professional
- The nest is in the ground, in a wall, or in an attic.
- The nest is near doors, play areas, or walkways.
- Anyone in the home is allergic to stings.
Questions
Do yellowjackets die after stinging?
No. They can sting repeatedly, unlike honey bees.
When are they most dangerous?
Late summer and fall, when colonies are at their largest and food gets scarce.
What if I'm stung and feel unwell?
Trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or dizziness is an emergency. Call emergency services.
Related reading
Related pests
Bees
A broad group of pollinating insects that includes social and solitary species. Some may nest in cavities, soil, wood, or structural voids; stinging risk varies by species and nest location.
Read more →Bumble Bees
Large, robust, fuzzy bees that usually nest in the ground or in protected cavities. They are important pollinators and are generally less aggressive away from the nest, though workers and queens can sting.
Read more →Digger Bees and Wasps
Ground-nesting solitary bees or wasps that excavate individual burrows in bare or sandy soil. Most are not aggressive away from their nests and many are beneficial pollinators or predators.
Read more →Honey Bees
Highly social pollinating bees that live in colonies with a queen and workers. They may establish nests in tree cavities, wall voids, chimneys, or other enclosed spaces and can sting when the colony is threatened.
Read more →This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Pests vary by region and situation, and an on-site inspection is the reliable way to know what you have.