How to target the right stinging insects.
By ElRay Roper, Senior Technical Representative, Syngenta Professional Pest Management
As pollinator protection, especially for honey and bumble bees, continues to be at the forefront of current environmental issues, controlling stinging pests such as wasps and hornets presents a unique opportunity for Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) to demonstrate their care for the environment while meeting customer expectations for pest management.
When you receive a call for stinging insect control, it is important to take precautions to protect pollinators while resolving the issue. To most customers, insects like bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are all the same. However, proper identification is essential for determining the right approach for controlling stinging insects that may pose a danger to your customers. Once you’ve identified the stinging pest, consider the following options for an Integrated Pest Management approach to specifically target the pest you need to control.
Paper wasps
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| Paper wasp nest on a fence. Photo property of ElRay M. Roper, Syngenta Professional Pest Management, 2010. |
Paper wasps are common stinging pests in all parts of the country. They build their umbrella-shaped nests on the underside of buildings, fences and in a variety of voids. The easiest way to control these pests is to remove the nest by placing it in a sealed plastic bag and throwing it in the trash. If the nest cannot be safely removed, it can be sprayed with a fast-acting pyrethroid insecticide using a pin stream application. Applying Demand® CS insecticide or Tandem® insecticide as a perimeter application and to the underside of eaves, porches and fences in the spring will help discourage nest-building in these areas.
Bald-faced hornets
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| Bald-faced hornet nest. Photo property of ElRay M. Roper, Syngenta Professional Pest Management, 2010. |
The large paper nest of the bald-faced hornet presents a unique challenge to a PMP, as the outer layers of the nest protect the brood from topical sprays. For complete control, it is necessary to get insecticide inside the nest to control both the reproductives and the brood. A product applied as an insecticidal foam, such as Optigard® Flex insecticide, can work quickly to control both adults and brood without exciting the hornets. Use an extension wand with foam application equipment to safely inject foam into the opening of the nest. Once the nest is inactive, it should be removed from the structure to avoid secondary pest problems.
Yellow jackets
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| Yellow jacket nest in the ground. Photo property of David Cox, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, 2010. |
Yellow jackets are a constant nuisance around recreational areas as well as homes and businesses. Traps can control a few of the foraging workers, but have little effect on the colony. To achieve complete control of the site, the nest must be located and treated. Yellow jackets typically nest in holes in the ground and other voids, such as landscape timbers and behind brick veneers. The best method for treating these locations is to inject insecticidal foam, such as Optigard Flex, into the void. Use an extension wand when applying the foam to minimize the risk of being stung.
With proper identification and the use of tailored tools, you can manage stinging insects while still protecting pollinators and the surrounding environment. For more information, please contact your local Syngenta sales representative.
In the State of New York, Tandem may only be applied for indoor uses.
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