Late summer in Alabama is stinging insect season. Paper wasps, yellowjackets and hornets each nest differently, and knowing which one you have tells you how risky it is and how it should be handled. This guide draws on Alabama Extension's descriptions. For removal, see wasp and hornet removal, or our main Prattville pest control page.
Know your nest
| Insect | Typical nest | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paper wasps | Open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, decks and ledges | Easy to see, simplest to treat |
| Yellowjackets | In the ground, under timbers or heavy mulch, and in wall voids | Colonies can reach thousands, peaking in August or September. Can sting more than once |
| Bald-faced hornets | Enclosed gray paper nests in trees or shrubs, up to about 12 inches across | Defend the nest aggressively |
| European hornets | Tree hollows, and sometimes attics and wall voids | Fly to porch lights at night |
Safety first
Alabama Extension notes that some people have systemic reactions to stings, including breathing problems, swelling beyond the sting, nausea and anaphylactic shock. Seek medical care immediately if that happens. Keep children and pets away from nests, and don't swing at insects, which can provoke them.
How nests are treated
- treatment is done at night, when the colony is inside, wearing protective clothing
- ground nests are marked during the day so they can be found after dark
- for wall voids, Alabama Extension advises against plugging the hole right away, which can force insects into the house
- a licensed professional is the safer choice for wall voids, high nests and large yellowjacket colonies
Reduce the attraction
In fall, yellowjackets go after food and trash. Empty outdoor trash often, use lidded cans and keep sweet drinks covered outdoors. Check eaves, decks and play equipment in spring, when paper wasp nests are still small.
Honey bees are different
Alabama Extension notes that honey bees have barbed stingers, unlike the smooth stingers of yellowjackets, wasps and hornets. Honey bees are important pollinators, and a swarm resting on a branch is often just passing through. If bees have moved into a wall or stayed put, a beekeeper or a pest control company that relocates bees is usually the better call than spraying.
Spring checks prevent summer problems
Paper wasp nests start small in spring. Check eaves, porch ceilings, decks, mailboxes and play equipment every few weeks and deal with small nests early, at night and with protective clothing, or call a professional for anything high or hidden.