About Yellow Jacket
Yellow jackets (Vespula and Dolichovespula spp.) are 10–16 mm social wasps with bold black-and-yellow banding responsible for the majority of serious stinging insect incidents in North America. Unlike honeybees, they sting repeatedly and release alarm pheromones recruiting nestmates to attack. Ground-nesting colonies can reach 4,000–5,000 workers by late summer. They are strongly attracted to protein foods and sweet drinks at outdoor events, and their aggressive scavenging of garbage and picnic food creates frequent human contact. Anaphylactic reactions to their venom are a genuine medical emergency requiring swift treatment.
Geographic Distribution
This insect is found across Asia, with notable populations in China and surrounding regions.
Management
If you suspect a Yellow Jacket problem, consult our recommended exterminator services or browse our full pest species database for related species and control guidance.