Determining which stinging pest invades your backyard can be confusing. Yellowjackets and Wasps, two completely different species, look identical to the untrained eye. To help with these questions, we created a useful guide to identify which stinging insects are in your backyard and which products will catch them!
Our Yellowjacket vs Wasp guide highlights key differences between the two species.
The most noticeable differences are body type and legs in flight. The yellowjacket has a fatter abdomen, while the wasp is slimmer overall. When wasps are flying, you can easily see their long dangling legs. Yellowjackets have shorter legs that are not noticeable in flight.
Understanding the different nests that they build can also help identify which pest you have. Yellowjackets tend to nest underground, inside walls, or in other enclosed spaces. A yellowjacket nest is usually not visible. Wasps create open comb nests, easily found under eaves or man-made structures. If you see a nest around your house, and there is no paper covering over the open comb, it is most likely a wasp nest.
With both wasps and yellowjackets it is important to be cautious. Wasps tend to be aggressive when they feel their nest is threatened. If you spot a wasp nest, keep a safe distance to avoid angering the wasps that are protecting it. Yellowjackets are more aggressive overall and their nests are harder to find.