Yellowjackets

There are several species of yellow jackets. These flying insects typically have a yellow and black head/face and patterned abdomen.

Yellow jackets are social insects that live in nests or colonies with up to 4,000 workers. They are most active in the late summer and early autumn when a colony is at its peak. They build paper nests out of chewed-up cellulose. Nests are usually found in the ground or in cavernous areas such as eaves and attics.

Yellow jacket stings pose significant health threats to humans, as they are territorial and will sting if threatened. They are known to sting repeatedly and can cause allergic reactions. Yellow jackets and other stinging insects send over 500,000 people to the emergency room each year.