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Yellowjacket Wasp - FAQ
- Common questions about yellowjackets -
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Summary: A few commonly asked questions, and answers, about yellowjacket wasps.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Q: Should I try to kill or trap yellowjacket queens in the spring?
A: No. In terms of the number of wasps that will be around in late summer, when it really matters, eliminating queens in the spring has no real effect. Studies have shown that eliminating even 95% of the queens in an area does not reduce the number of foraging wasps later in the summer. The reason is simple. The few queens that survive build larger nests because their competitors have been eliminated. So, don't waste time trying to trap or kill queens in the spring. Instead, use our management suggestions.
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yellowjacket wasp; about 1/2" long
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Q: Does a cold winter suppress wasp numbers?
A: Probably not. Overwintering queens are fully adapted to the local climate so even an unusually cold winter probably does not significantly impact their mortality. Plus, even if queen mortality is higher the surviving queens likely have more success, and bigger nests (see above).
 The factor that does suppress yellowjacket numbers in late summer is spring weather. Cold, wet springs tend to interfere with nest initiation while warm, dry weather tends to help it along. These effects can be very localized, however.
Q. Are the new artificial wasp nests, or nest mimics, effective at discouraging yellowjacket activity?
A: It is too early to tell. While the idea seems good these devices have not yet been adequately tested.
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Q. Are poison baits available for area-wide control of problem nests?
A: KnoxOut 2FM is no longer available in the US for use in poison baits for area-wide control of wasp nests. However, new active ingredients, for example fipronil, are being tested and may be available soon. We'll keep you posted.
Q. How do yellowjacket wasps survive the winter?
A: For most species the entire nest dies before first frost. Only mated queens survive the winter. The queens find a protected spot and "hunker down" until warm spring weather allows them to begin nest-building.
Related information: [yellowjacket common names], [using yellowjacket traps], [wasp, bee and ant stings], [safely eliminating nests], [European paper wasp] See the main yellowjacket page for biology and control information.
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