What Are Stinging Insects? Stinging Insects in Tennessee

Bees, yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps are common examples of stinging insects. Stinging insects are typically described as beneficial or unwanted, depending on where they build their nests. When living & nesting outside and away from people, stinging insects are beneficial, and are responsible for pollinating a wide variety of plants & crops. Predatory species control populations of nuisance insects. Stinging insects are most active during the end of summer and into early fall, when their colonies are at peak numbers and they are foraging for food.

Are stinging insects dangerous?

Stinging insects are considered to be a danger to people. Stinging insects defend themselves from perceived threats by delivering painful, venom-filled stings. Their venom is powerful enough to trigger serious allergic reactions and anaphylaxis in some people. Some species have smooth stingers which allow them to sting over and over again, while others have a barbed stinger, and can only sting once. Stinging insects should be removed from properties by a trained professional.

Why do I have a stinging insect problem?

Stinging insects are attracted to properties that offer access to food, water, and nesting sites. They feed on a variety of insects, proteins, nectar, sweets, and honeydew. Compost piles, garbage cans, gardens, flowering vegetation, clogged gutters, outdoor eating areas, bird baths, and ponds all attract stinging insects.

Where will I find stinging insects?

Stinging insects build their nests in places that provide them with good protection and shelter. A stinging insect is usually described as either a ground or aerial nester.

Typical outdoor nesting spots for stinging insects include:

• Rock crevices
• Trees
• Utility poles
• Rock overhangs

Stinging insects may also build their nests underneath porches, decks, and roof eaves. Inside, stinging insects create nests in attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, vents, and in outbuildings such as barns, sheds, and garages.

How do I get rid of stinging insects?

The best way to deal with a stinging insect problem is to partner with a pest control professional. At HTP Termite & Pest Control, Inc. we offer effective stinging insect control services for homes and businesses. Our team of experienced professionals utilize modern treatments. We also provide eco-friendly and EPA-registered products to accurately identify the stinging insects species you're dealing with and solve your property’s stinging insect problem. Our guaranteed residential pest control services can help protect your West Tennessee home from stinging insect invasions and the problems they cause. To learn more, reach out to us at HTP!

How can I prevent stinging insects in the future?

Preventing problems with stinging insects can be difficult, but there are several things you can do in and around your property to make it less attractive and accessible to them:

• Place locking lids on all outdoor trash cans.
• Keep outdoor eating areas cleaned up.
• Fill in ground holes, remove fallen trees, and remove tree stumps from your property.
• Remove wood piles, rock piles, and other debris from your property.
• Trim tree limbs and flowering vegetation away from the exterior of your home.
• Maintain gutters and repair leaky hoses and fixtures.
• Seal cracks and crevices in your home's foundation and exterior walls.
• Place a cap on the chimney.
• Repair holes along the roofline and at roof intersections.

Areas We Serve

We provide stinging insect control in the following areas: