Wasps

A number of wasps commonly inhabit Illinois: the Eastern yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons), German yellowjackets (Paravespula germanica), Bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata), Paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus (northern) and dominula (European)), Mud Dauber (Sphecidae caementarium (Common), Chalybion Californicum (Blue) and Tropoxylon (Organ Pipe)) and Cicada Killer wasps (Sphecius speciosus).The Eastern yellowjacket is an aggressive wasp with a yellow and black striped abdomen that construct underground nests containing up to 3,000 members. German yellowjackets (Paravespula germanica) build basketball-sized nests above ground in empty spaces such as crawlspaces and attics. Commonly mistaken for a hornet, the bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) is a yellowjacket. It has a white (bald) face, a black and white body and builds a nest, like their German brethren, in trees. It is generally a beneficial yellowjacket that eats insects.Paper Wasp nests are very commonly seen hanging from eaves as a comb of hexagonal cells that look as if they are made of brown paper. They are not as aggressive as yellowjackets or hornets. Mud daubers build nests that look like tubes pasted on the side of buildings. They thrive on spiders. The common mud dauber is brownish-black with yellow. The Blue Mud Dauber is indeed blue and like the mocking bird, lays eggs in other mud daubers’ nests. Mud daubers winter over as larvae. Cicada Killer wasps are generally black with yellow markings on the abdomen. They nest in small underground burrows. They use cicadas to feed their young. Mud Daubers and Cicada Killer wasps are generally not aggressive and are also considered beneficial.Non-aggressive wasps will generally only sting when they are pinned against your skin (such as when you swat them). Aggressive wasps are very protective of their nests and your odds of being stung increase as you near or disturb the nest. Wasp stings generally result in pain, swelling, redness and itching. Applying a paste of meat tenderizer, salt, baking soda or over the counter products specifically made for stings will generally reduce the symptoms. Individuals exhibiting symptoms that include difficulty in breathing, dizziness and nausea should see a doctor immediately. There are generally between 50 and 100 deaths each year due to wasp, hornet and bee stings, often the result of being allergic (about 1% of the human population) to the venom injected during the sting. Individuals that are allergic should carry an emergency spinephrine injection kit under the supervision of a physician.Call ATG Pest Control, LLC at 847-946-6374 to remove wasps from your home or business.

Source: http://www.idph.state.il.us/
envhealth/pcbees.htm
Darryl P. Sanders, emeritus state entomology specialist, Department of Entomology,