Stinging Insect Identification & Prevention

Bees, carpenter bees, hornets, and wasps are regular visitors to our Grants Pass, Oregon properties. What all these insects have in common is that they are types of stinging insects.

Stinging insects have a stinger at the end of their abdomen. They use their stingers to defend themselves, and predatory species that feed on insects use them to paralyze their prey.

Outside away from people stinging insects are very much wanted and needed. They are eco-important insects helping with pollination and controlling nuisance and dangerous insect populations. However, when these insects decide to nest and forage for food near people in our yards, they can pose significant problems and need to be removed.

You may have asked yourself, "why do insect stings hurt?" The answer is that when these insects sting, they inject a chemical compound into your body that triggers your pain receptors.

However, pain is just one of the reasons we consider stinging insects to be dangerous. Stinging insect venom can trigger severe allergic reactions in those susceptible. An allergic reaction can be localized around the sting site, widespread through the body, and, in some cases, life-threatening.

Stinging insects tend to be most problematic for people in the late summer and early fall when their colonies are at their largest. These pests are most likely to sting when they perceive a threat to their nest. When stinging insects build a nest in a high-traffic area of your yard, they can significantly affect your family's ability to enjoy the outdoor spaces. Unfortunately, most of our Oregon yards are where these outdoor pests thrive, as they naturally provide them with their basic needs.

Stinging insects nest underground, at ground level, and aerially. These insects like to build their nests on tree branches, tree hollows, woodpiles, or rockpiles, and inside ground holes. All these locations shelter them from harsh weather conditions and many predators.

Our houses also provide stinging insects with a safe space to build their nests. Roof eaves, the corners of windows, behind light fixtures, and inside chimneys, vents, attics, and wall voids can all house stinging insect nests.

Carpenter bees nest inside of wood. The female bores a hole into a piece of wood and tunnels through it to build their nesting gallery. Carpenter bees can damage wood siding, trim, decks, wooden furniture, and wooden play structures with their unique nesting habits.

If stinging insects decide to make themselves comfortable on your Southern Oregon property, get rid of them with the help of a pest control professional. Here at Bugs Northwest, we offer the quality pest control services needed to remove stinging insects and the education necessary to keep them from returning. Stinging insects are not pests you want to ignore or try to remove from your property without the help of a professional.

Trust our professionals to solve problems with insects that sting and our region's other common pests. Call today to learn more about our stinging insect and pest control offerings in Grants Pass.

Don't let stinging insects keep you away from your yard; use the following tips to help keep them away from your property and to avoid their stings.

• If stinging insects come near you, resist the natural reaction to swat them away. Calmly move away from them to help avoid a sting.
• Avoid walking barefoot across your lawn to prevent accidentally stepping on a stinging insect.
• Maintain your lawn, keep its grass short, reseed bare spots, and prune shrubs, bushes, and trees. 
• Remove areas of standing water from your property.
• Avoid placing flowering plants near your home's entrances and exits.
• Keep caps on chimneys, repair holes in your home's exterior, and avoid propping open windows and doors to help keep stinging insects out of your house.

For the best stinging insect control in Grants Pass, reach out today.