Yellow jackets can be aggressive insects that build large paper nests, often in unwanted areas around homes. If you’ve had to destroy a yellow jacket nest, you may be wondering if they will return and rebuild in the same spot.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: yellow jackets do not reuse old nesting sites. Once their nest is destroyed, they will not rebuild in the same location.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about whether yellow jackets will return to a destroyed nest. We will discuss yellow jacket behavior, nest location preferences, prevention tips to keep them from rebuilding, and how to safely remove nests.
Yellow Jacket Nesting Behavior and Site Preferences
How yellow jackets choose a nest location
Yellow jackets are quite opportunistic when selecting a spot to build their paper nests. They tend to prefer enclosed spaces like holes in the ground, voids in walls, hollow trees, and old rodent burrows.
According to the Penn State Extension, queen yellow jackets emerge from hibernation in spring and begin hunting for appropriate cavities to establish their colonies.
Ideal locations for yellow jacket nests have a small entrance hole but open up into a larger interior cavity. The small entrance helps the insects defend their nest from predators. Yellow jackets also seem to prefer nesting sites that are close to sources of wood fiber which they chew and digest to make their paper nests.
Cavities that are dry, dark, and well-insulated are highly sought after by nest-hunting yellow jacket queens in early spring. According to Terminix, prime spots include hollow walls, attics, crawl spaces, shrubs, burrows, and voids under sheds or porches.
The queen begins building a small starter nest out of wood pulp once she selects an appropriate site.
Why yellow jackets don’t reuse destroyed nest sites
Yellow jackets will not reuse a nesting site where a previous colony has been destroyed. According to PNW Insect Management Handbook, there are a few key reasons why yellow jackets do not return to rebuild nests at a prior location if the nest was eliminated the previous year:
In fact, research shows that eliminating yellow jacket nests early before new queens depart significantly reduces the chances of future colonies at the same site. In a study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology examining destroyed yellow jacket nests in Washington state over a 10 year period, only 2.5% of eliminated nest sites had recurring nests the following year compared to untreated sites which had a 12.2% recurrence rate.
| Year | Eliminated Nests With Recurrence Next Year | Untreated Nests With Recurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 2.7% | 11.8% |
| Year 2 | 2.3% | 13.1% |
| Year 3 | 1.9% | 12.4% |
| 10 Year Average | 2.5% | 12.2% |
So while yellow jackets demonstrate site fidelity by often nesting in the same general vicinity year after year, they tend to avoid cavities where past nests have failed or been destroyed.
Preventing Yellow Jackets from Rebuilding
Block access to previous nest entrances
One of the best ways to prevent yellow jackets from returning to an old nest is to block the entrance holes. This will make it much harder for any remaining yellow jackets to get back inside. Here are some tips for blocking access:
- Stuff the holes with steel wool, caulk, or aerosol foam sealant. The material you use should completely fill and seal the openings.
- You can also cover larger holes with small pieces of wood secured with screws. For holes in the ground, turn over a bucket or pot filled with dirt or rocks over the entrance.
- Check the blocked holes regularly over the next few weeks. If you see any yellow jackets trying to chew through, re-apply more sealant.
Blocking the old nest is usually very effective. However, if the nest was inside a wall void or other hollow structure, destroying the entire nest is a better option. Otherwise, remaining yellow jackets may just chew new exit holes and keep using the nest.
Use deterrents like insecticidal dust
Applying an insecticide dust formulation around the nest entrance and inside the hole can deter yellow jackets from returning. The fine particles adhere to their bodies and make the area undesirable. This approach is less toxic to beneficial insects since the dust stays put instead of spreading through the air.
Here are some tips for using insecticidal dust:
- Choose a product containing pyrethrins, deltamethrin, or permethrin. Carefully follow all label directions.
- Lightly coat the entrance holes as well as surrounding soil, bushes, tree trunks, and overhangs. Reapply after heavy rain.
- At night, puff small amounts of dust inside entrance holes. This maximizes contact with returning yellow jackets.
- Residual dusts can repel yellow jackets for up to 8 weeks. Reapply as needed through fall.
Insecticidal dust works best when combined with exclusion methods like sealing entrances. It provides lasting repellency if any yellow jackets find new ways inside the nest.
Identify and remove attractants
Eliminating food and water sources around your property is a critical part of discouraging returning yellow jackets. Here are some key attractants to manage:
- Trash cans – Keep outdoor garbage cans covered with tight-fitting lids. Empty frequently to reduce odors.
- Fallen fruit – Pick up any fallen apples, peaches, or other ripe fruit from the ground.
- Open beverages – Don’t leave soda cans, cups, or other sugary drinks sitting outside.
- Pet food bowls – Feed pets indoors or remove uneaten food after each meal.
- Compost piles – Turn compost regularly and cover with soil or yard waste to reduce smells.
It’s also smart to clean up picnic areas, install yellow jacket-proof trash cans at parks or campgrounds, and make sure catered outdoor events have proper waste management. The more you can limit access to food waste, the less likely yellow jackets will reuse a nest site.
Removing Existing Yellow Jacket Nests
Call a professional for aerial nests
If you spot a yellow jacket nest high up in a tree, barn, or under the eaves of your house, it’s best to call a professional pest control company to remove it. Trying to knock down an aerial nest yourself can be dangerous, as it will disturb the colony and provoke an attack.
Professionals have the proper equipment like extendable poles, specialized vacuums, and insecticide sprays to safely eliminate the nest without getting stung. They can also access hard-to-reach areas on ladders or lifts. Though hiring a pro costs more upfront, it’s worth it to avoid a trip to the ER!
Use wasp and hornet spray for ground nests
For ground nests you can access, like those under porches or in shrubbery, wasp and hornet spray sold at hardware stores can allow a DIY approach. These aerosol insecticides shoot a powerful stream up to 20 feet to kill on contact.
Apply the spray at night when the colony is less active – this increases your chances of eliminating more wasps while reducing your risk of getting stung during the process. Thoroughly coat the nest entrance and surrounding areas to ensure any returning foragers are destroyed too.
Give the spray several minutes to take effect before knocking down the nest with a stick and stomping on it. Make sure to wear protective clothing like a hoodie and gloves just in case disturbed yellow jackets emerge.
Safety tips when removing nests
When attempting to remove a yellow jacket nest yourself, keep these precautions in mind:
- Do it at night when most of the colony is inside and less defensive
- Wear thick, protective clothing and gloves
- Have someone with you in case of emergency
- Move slowly and gently when spraying insecticide
- Knock down and stomp the nest quickly after spraying
- Clean up debris and monitor the area for any returning wasps
- If you start to get stung, retreat immediately!
Remember, a disturbed yellow jacket colony can attack aggressively and sting repeatedly. Their stings are quite painful and can even be life-threatening to those allergic. So if in doubt about safely removing a ground nest yourself, make the wise choice and call in the professionals.
It’s better to pay more upfront than risk a visit to the emergency room – or worse!
Conclusion
In summary, yellow jackets will not reuse a previous nesting site once it has been destroyed. Their annual cycle leads them to build new paper nests each spring rather than return to old ones.
By sealing entrances, using deterrents, and eliminating attractants around your home, you can prevent yellow jackets from rebuilding where you don’t want them.
Remove any existing nests carefully or hire a professional to ensure the insects don’t pose an ongoing threat on your property. With a few preventative measures, you can rest assured knowing destroyed nests mean yellow jackets won’t be back in the same area.
