One of the most amazing things about Tampa is that the climate is virtually tropical almost year-round. This warmer weather is a huge reason so many people love living in Florida, but it definitely has its drawbacks. Warm weather always invites warm weather pests, and Florida's subtropical climate is perfect for stinging insects like wasps. Nobody wants to deal with wasps on their Tampa property, but trying to control outdoor insects seems like an impossible task. How can you possibly keep them away from your yard this year?
Common Wasps In Tampa Neighborhoods
Usually, when people see or hear a wasp within close proximity, they don't take a moment to see what kind of species is invading their personal space; panicked flailing and running is a much more likely response. With a yard infestation, though, you might get more than one run-in with these aggressive culprits, which should give you ample opportunities to figure out what kind of wasps are trying to take over your Tampa lawn:
- Paper wasps – brown bodies with yellow or reddish-brown stripes and black wings, colonies are built-in aerial nests within trees, shrubs, and underneath patio roofs
- Mud daubers – coloring can be jet black, black and yellow, or metallic blue, most distinctive trait is the thread-like segment between their thorax and abdomen, nests are solitary mud tubes often found on siding, trees, benches, and anywhere moderately covered
- Cicada killers – red and black bodies with yellow banding around their torso, they create solitary nests by burrowing into the ground
Solitary wasps are far less aggressive than their colonizing cousins, so even if you see a cicada killer or mud dauber, they'll probably leave you alone if you don't get too close. That's easier said than done, though, since they commonly nest in places that aren't easily spotted. Paper wasps, on the other hand, are incredibly territorial and will attack anything that gets anywhere near their nest. While one or two stings won't do much damage if you aren't allergic, an entire nest inflicting their powerful stings will send anyone to the hospital.
What Attracts Wasps To Tampa Properties, And How To Prevent An Infestation
Wasps are the kinds of insects who show up for food and stay for the atmosphere. If there's enough food and water to be found, and a shady space to build their nests, they'll move right in and bring all their aggressive friends with them. Thankfully, there are ways to make your Tampa property less hospitable to these pests, it just takes a bit of work and dedication:
- Trim back low-hanging tree branches and unruly shrubs
- Make sure your lawn is draining properly, and don't over-water your garden
- Keep tight-fitting lids on all outdoor trash cans
- Avoid adding too many flowering plants to your garden, and consider including some wasp-deterring plants as well; citronella, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, wormwood, lemongrass, geranium, and chamomile for flower gardens, and basil, rosemary, sage, cucumber, thyme, and fennel for vegetable and herb gardens
- Always clean up outdoor food prep and eating areas immediately after eating
- Consider adding a fake wasp nest to your outdoor décor
How To Get Rid Of A Wasp Infestation On Your Tampa Property
Stinging insects like wasps are incredibly dangerous to attempt to remove on your own, and store-bought wasp pesticides are usually single-stream contact killers. You may take out a handful of the infestation, but then you'll have an entire nest of angry insects ready for a fight. Don't risk your health on amateur wasp extermination; call the pros at Bold Servicing instead.
As a family-owned and operated company, we know how important it is to keep your loved ones safe. We offer a wide range of plans that fit any budget and pest control needs, and we only use the highest quality pest control products available. We're so dedicated to customer satisfaction that we offer our satisfaction guarantee with every treatment. So get in contact with us today, and feel comfortable in your own backyard again.