How Deep in the Ground Can Yellow Jackets Be Found? (2024)

FAQs

How Deep in the Ground Can Yellow Jackets Be Found? ›

yellow jacket nests in burrows can be as deep as 4 feet deep. their paper nests, built inside the burrows, are approximately the size of a soccer ball.

Most frequently, the nests lie just below the surface, with the entrance concealed beneath a dense bush or by thick grass. Nests in burrows can be as deep as 4 feet deep. Their paper nests, built inside the burrows, are approximately the size of a soccer ball.

Do Yellow Jackets Live in the Ground? Yes, yellow jackets do live in the ground. In fact, they are quite adept at excavating their own nests underground. These nests can be quite large and may house thousands of yellow jackets.

Begin by searching the ground around your home for holes, walking in a circular pattern around your property, and expanding your search area with each pass. Watch for yellowjackets flying in and out (often along a constant "bee line") or a cluster of yellowjackets "guarding" an opening.

Yellow jackets can be found any place where humans live. They often build their nests underground or in hollow logs, tree stumps, attics, between walls, under eaves and inside recycling bins where sugars are common.

Many people will attempt to kill a nest simply by plugging the entry hole from the outside. This almost always results in a home or business full of bees. Yellow jackets never just lie down and die. If their primary entry point is blocked, they will always look for another way out.

Yellow Jackets that nest in the ground often times leave multiple entries and exits into the nest. Sometimes these are a few inches apart but may be several feet in distance. As liquid, aerosol, fumes, etc. make their way into one hole, they are sure to come out fighting from the other holes.

An effective method for underground nests is to use a mixture of boiling hot water and dish detergent. Fill a bucket with scalding hot water and soap and pour the entire bucket over the entry and exit holes. This will likely kill the entire colony instantly but is not recommended for above-ground yellowjacket nests.

Dust insecticides, such as carbaryl or permethrin, can be applied directly into the nest entrance when yellow jackets are less active at night. It's most effective for ground nests, but be sure to follow the product instructions carefully.

Destroy the nest

To destroy a ground nest, pour a 50/50 mixture of peppermint castile soap and water into the nest's opening, following it immediately with boiling water. After a few days of no wasp activity, dig the ground nest up and dispose of it.

What time of day are yellow jackets most active? ›

The best time to look is after the day has warmed up - usually after 10 a.m. - when the yellowjackets are actively flying in and out of their nest. Yellowjackets are most active between 10 am and 4 pm, weather dependent. If the weather is too cold or too hot, yellowjacket activity will be a little sluggish.

Similarly, rats, weasels and skunks have been known to prey upon yellow jacket nests from time to time. When it comes to the larger mammals, the unrivaled giant of wasp predators is surely the bear.

Types of baits

Some populations are strongly attracted to sweets; others are attracted to fermentation products such as beer. We have found that beer is the most commonly accepted attractant among Yellow Jackets. Through our extensive research we have learned that a 50% beer, 50% fruit punch works on most populations.

A quick Internet search will yield countless DIY wasp removal techniques, often of questionable efficacy, but it's generally best to leave treatment and removal of underground yellow jacket nests to the pros.

Dust insecticides, such as carbaryl or permethrin, can be applied directly into the nest entrance when yellow jackets are less active at night. It's most effective for ground nests, but be sure to follow the product instructions carefully.

An effective method for underground nests is to use a mixture of boiling hot water and dish detergent. Fill a bucket with scalding hot water and soap and pour the entire bucket over the entry and exit holes. This will likely kill the entire colony instantly but is not recommended for above-ground yellowjacket nests.

Female yellowjackets can sting repeatedly, and some individuals may be sensitive to their venom. Ground-nesting yellowjacket foragers may become aggressive in outdoor eating areas. Aerially-nesting yellowjackets are insectivorous and therefore typically do not become troublesome in outdoor eating areas.