Stinging insects send several thousands of people to the emergency room each year, allergic reactions can develop as a result of the venom. These pests are most active in spring and summer, but because of our Southern California weather, they are active throughout the year. If you suspect that there is a nest of any of these pests on your property, call us, we can help.

APPEARANCE 

Honey bees are usually oval-shaped creatures with golden-yellow colors and brown bands, they measure about 15 mm long. Honey bees only sting once, the sting can be extremely painful if the stinger is not immediately removed. Persons allergic to insect stings will have a more severe reaction.

HABITAT 

Honey bees are social insects found all over the world and are beneficial insects because of their role in pollination. They often build their nests in tree crevices, but will also build nests in attics, chimneys and other void areas.

DIET 

Honey bees produce honey from pollen and nectar of the plants they pollinate. They store the honey in honeycombs in their nests.

HONEY BEE CONTROL 

Honey bee management should be addressed by a professional. Treatment or removal of a honeybee nest and the honey product can be very messy. Because honeybee colonies are so large, only a honey bee pest control professional or experienced beekeeper can safely remove a honeybee nest.

APPEARANCE 

Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees in both size and color. Their abdomens are all black, with few yellow hairs and measure about 1″ long. Female carpenter bees have a potent stinger, but it's rarely used.

HABITAT 

Carpenter bees get their name from their habit of boring into wood to make galleries where they raise their young. In natural habitats, they live in logs and dead tree limbs, while around homes they target bare wood decks, fences and window sills. They prefer weathered or bare wood to painted wood. Like carpenter ants, the softer or more rotten the wood is, the more attractive it is to these bees. While they do not pose a public health threat, their nest building does damage wood.

DIET 

Carpenter bees feed on nectar.

CARPENTER BEE CONTROL 

Painting bare wood can deter some carpenter bees but is a limited solution. Once holes have been started, the nest galleries must be treated with professional pest control products. Eliminating water leaks and rotting wood from your property will make it less attractive to carpenter bees.

APPEARANCE 

Usually black, may have pale markings or a metallic luster and are about 1/2" to 1" in length. The best identifying feature is the longer, narrow "waist".

HABITAT 

Female mud daubers construct nests of mud. Many short mud tubes, usually about 1" long, are constructed side by side. They usually build their nests in a sheltered site, such as under eaves, porch ceilings, in garages and sheds left open, in barns and attics, etc. Nests typically exhibit round holes in them as the wasps emerge. This means the nest is probably old and inactive after springtime.

DIET 

Mud daubers provision spiders for their larvae by paralyzing them with their venom and bringing them into their nests. Adults feed on plant nectar, honeydew and the body fluids of the spiders and insects they capture.

MUD DAUBER CONTROL

Although mud daubers are not typically dangerous, their nests should be removed by a pest management professional if found on your property, as their abandoned nests are often adopted by other more insects.

APPEARANCE 

Brownish with yellow markings; most species are about 1″ long.

HABITAT 

Paper wasps are easily identified by their nest—a round, upside-down paper cone that hangs from a horizontal surface in a protected location. Most paper wasp nests are located in exposed areas beneath soffits, in the corners of windows, under awnings, under porches and beneath decks. Paper wasps often enter attics through holes in the soffits, attic vent screens and underneath shingles.

DIET 

Paper wasps are predators and feed on insects, spiders and caterpillars.

PAPER WASP CONTROL 

Paper wasp nests are usually easily controlled using a wasp treatment product, then knocking down the nest. Such treatments are best done at night, although professionals can safely treat them during the day. On buildings where continuous paper wasp nest building occurs, treatment of the affected areas with a residual pest control product applied by a professional can deter most of the activity.

APPEARANCE 

Brown, very flat, narrow oval shape; 1/10″ long.

HABITAT 

Grain weevils will attack packages of cereal, flour, rice, oats, pet foods, chocolate, pasta and other similar packages goods. They are found in pantries, food processing areas, warehouses and grocery stores. They crawl into packaging to eat, live and reproduce. Large populations can develop in short periods, forcing adults to leave infested foods seeking new food sources. Infestations can quickly spread to every nearby packaged food. The grain weevil cannot fly, but the closely related merchant grain beetle can.

DIET 

Cereals, cake mixes, macaroni, cookies and chocolate, among other processed or packaged foods.

GRAIN WEEVIL CONTROL 

Discard all infested packages. Clean spilled grain and infested cabinet areas using a vacuum followed by soapy water. Store all dried food goods in zipper plastic bags, or a glass or plastic container with a tight lid to limit spreading if one food item becomes infested. Wipe all sides of shelves with household cleaning solution and pull out stove and refrigerator to access and remove possible food debris beneath appliances as well. Eliminating the insect’s food source and a professional inspection will rid these pests.