Stinging Insects 

What are stinging insects?  

Stinging insects move into our Florida yards to utilize the nesting and foraging spots they provide. These pests are unwanted in our indoor and outdoor spaces because of the stingers that extend from their abdomens. Many species of stinging insects have short tempers, and living near these pests puts you, your kids, and your pets in danger of being stung. Below are some of the most common stinging insects living in our area of Florida. 

• Paper Wasps are social, stinging insects that create nests from a paper-like material made from pieces of wood or plant materials mixed with their saliva. Paper wasps are brown with yellow or reddish-brown markings and have smoky black wings. 
• Mud Daubers are solitary stinging insects. They have a narrow waist with a distinctive long thread-like segment between their thorax and abdomen and are usually black with some pale or yellowish markings. These stinging insects build their nests out of mud and other materials.
• Cicada Killers are a ground-nesting, solitary species of stinging insects. They have a red and black body with yellow banding around the abdomen and a reddish-brown head. Their wings are transparent or yellow-tinted and heavily veined. 

Are stinging insects dangerous?

Stinging insects are never ideal to have on your property, whether you or your family are allergic to their venom or not. The stings that these pests deliver are painful, and constantly avoiding contact with them in your yard is stressful.

Their presence is more problematic for those allergic to stinging insect venom and poses a significant danger. Stinging insects have venom potent enough to trigger itching, hives, breathing problems, and even anaphylaxis.

While stinging insects are helpful when living out in nature, they are unwanted pests in our yards, and you should have an experienced professional remove them!

Why do I have a stinging insects problem?

Stinging insects are active throughout most of the year in Florida. Our warm weather provides them with ample amounts of food and water. Stinging insects are flying outdoor pests, so unless you are willing to put a large protective bubble around your property, keeping them away is difficult. These opportunistic pests will make themselves at home on any property providing their basic needs. Even if stinging insects aren’t nesting in your yard, they will keep returning if your yard offers them food sources.