Insect · High risk
Aerial Yellowjacket
The aerial yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) builds its paper nest hanging in the open, in trees, shrubs or under the eaves. Common in wooded and rural areas of Quebec, it fiercely defends its nest as soon as someone gets close, especially in late summer.
12 to 18 mm · Yellow and black
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
At 12 to 18 mm, queen included, it has a longer body than the wasps that nest in the ground. Its abdomen has yellow and black bands. Its paper nest hanging in the open remains the surest way to identify it.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
It nests in trees, shrubs, hedges and sometimes under the eaves. The grey paper nest hangs in the open and grows all summer, reaching its full size in August.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
Left alone, the colony grows until August and the nest becomes riskier and riskier to approach.
§4What to look out for
Signs of presence
- Egg-shaped nest hanging in a tree or shrub
- Heavy wasp traffic around the nest
- Wasps that dive at you as soon as you get near the nest
- Found in wooded areas and wooded gardens
§5Why act fast
Risks
- A single sting can trigger anaphylactic shock in a person who is allergic
- More aggressive late in the season, in August and September
- A danger for children playing in wooded areas
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Inspect the trees and shrubs in your yard in early spring
- Report any nest to a professional without going near it
- Avoid gardening near wooded areas without protective clothing
- Do not shake tree branches without checking them first
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Locating the nest and assessing access at height.
Preparation
Customized plan · steps to take before the visit.
Treatment
Treating the nest at the source, then removing it completely.
Follow-up
Control visit · written guarantee offered depending on the treatment chosen.
§8Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Should an aerial nest be removed?
Can the nest be reused the following year?
How can I tell an aerial nest from a ground-nesting yellowjacket nest?
The aerial yellowjacket builds its nest up high, in trees and cornices, often out of reach from the ground. It is the kind of removal you should not try yourself: our nest removal team has the equipment to work at height. We serve Granby, Sherbrooke, Magog and Bromont.
Sources consulted for this fact sheet: Espace pour la vie, social wasps · Office québécois de la langue française, guêpe jaune · CNESST, bee, wasp and bumblebee stings · CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec, insect stings.
React quickly, sleep well.
The bigger the colony gets, the riskier the removal.