[lynn P.]

During the summer we noticed Yellow Jackets were flying under the kitchen bay window. Once the weather got colder I noticed a few inside but when the hurricane brought very cold air..... more came inside but I couldn't find the entry spot. A few days ago I came into the kitchen to at least 25 on my kitchen window. Were also many in the room under the kitchen in the basement. Was so frustrated not knowing how they were getting in, so I sat one day for 30 minutes staring at the window hoping to catch one coming in.

Yesterday the man who's doing some repairs in our basement, helped us with this problem. Took off the bottom part of the bay window and found the nest. As soon as he started getting at the nest I had the heating vent open and could see them wiggling under the floor in the vent. The man could see the vent from outside - obviously a bad construction job by the person who built that part of the house. We have this long pole for cleaning our high ceiling and used it to slide under the floor of the kitchen from outside. It was a huge disgusting nest - at first it was one nest and then many more as we continued to slide the pole in further. As I was trying to block the vent a few got in and my dog Bella attacked one that was near me and she got stung on the mouth. I think the problem is solved because I'm sick of dealing with this and was so frustrated not knowing where the entry point was.

[Nicks_Nose]

Wow, Lynn! I hope it is resolved. We found an ant colony before. Fortunately the huge colony was OUTSIDE the home and not inside. Give Bella a hug for me.

[Yoda]

We have wasps in my attic and I can deal with them being there and just swat the occasional wasp that comes into the house but yellow jackets are VICIOUS. They will attack you. Wasps are pretty mild mannered but yellow jackets and hornets could go extinct for all I care.

Glad you found their nests and hope you don't have to deal with them again.

[Sabrina]

Was going to ask what yellow jackets are, thought you were talking about birds. Glad you got the nests. Hope other don't come back

[lynn P.]

Thanks Nicks Nose, Yoda and Sabrina for your responses. Sabrina - Yellow Jacket is a kind of wasp but confused often with typical bees. They have a distinctive black and yellow stripe on the body with gray wings. The body also doesn't have hairs and their nest is gray papery because they make it out of wood/plant mixed with saliva. The nest is the clue to tell them apart from a bee...no waxy nest.

They often bother people when they're having picnics and are very aggressive, which is why it was so bothersome to have 25 in my kitchen -1st thing I did was put Bella in her crate. I bet I've killed at least 60 over the last few days. Last few days every time I leave the kitchen, I put Bella in her crate because I don't want her stung in the mouth. I got flustered when they were trying to get in through the vent and Bella sensed /started barking - before I knew it she snapped at one flying out. Here's a picture of a Yellow Jacket:

[Rohag]

Yellow Jackets?! They're bad enough outside...!
Congratulations on your success against them and hugs to Bella (is she OK?).

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by Rohag

Yellow Jackets?! They're bad enough outside...!
Congratulations on your success against them and hugs to Bella (is she OK?).

Thanks Rohag and yes Bella is okay. She's normally the fly catcher of the house but through all this she was a little apprehensive to go after the wasps - I think she was smart to sense they're hurtful. Last week she knocked one to floor with her paw. Seems like the man was successful in getting them out - I looked outside and didn't see any flying around and none inside. I could tell Bella got stung because she went sulking in her favorite corner, was licking repeatedly and looked upset. I was worried she might get stung in the throat but she's good now.

[Harley47]

You sound like you handled it well Lynn. I would've absolutely flipped...I hate yellow jackets with a burning passion. 25 in my kitchen would've been just a wee bit much.

I'm glad you got the nest, and I hope that's an end to your problems. Those things are awful.

[sabby]

Just an FYI about Bella getting stung.

I had rotties that got stung and they had a horrible reaction to the sting. They were going nuts, climbing the walls. I called the vet about them and was told that we could give them an antihistamine like benedryl. As soon as we gave them the benedryl, they calmed down and their reactions went away. Pheww...it really kind of scared me, there was no controlling them after they were stung.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by sabby

Just an FYI about Bella getting stung.

I had rotties that got stung and they had a horrible reaction to the sting. They were going nuts, climbing the walls. I called the vet about them and was told that we could give them an antihistamine like benedryl. As soon as we gave them the benedryl, they calmed down and their reactions went away. Pheww...it really kind of scared me, there was no controlling them after they were stung.

Thanks for sharing how your dogs had a bad reaction. Bella was stung 2 days ago and possibly last night. Late last night I had to take Bella to the emergency vet - she was pacing the floor, panting even though its cold outside, shaking and breathing heavy. Was afraid to wait till morning. When we 1st walked in she poohed and it was soft, so idk if she has an intestinal problem or these symptoms is a reaction to the wasp sting. The vet wasn't sure what caused her symptoms. Does anyone know if a wasp sting hurts more than a bee sting? - I've only experienced bee and a hornet stings. Bella is due for her shots, so I'll call the vet on Monday to rule out intestinal problems.

I just killed another 2 bees today, but I'm hoping they were just from the ones that came before. It feels like my house is being invaded by them. The nest was huge and creepy.

[gma45]

Yellow jackets! Yuk! I had those where I used to live, outside they had built a nest in a old tree stump.I had the exterminator get rid of them, they can be a real pain. I am so glad Bella is alright. I did have bees in my wall once, they entered through a crack in the siding outside. That was strange I could hear them buzzing in my wall. I got rid of them also with some strong spray! Hope you have your problem solved!

[Harley47]

I don't think they necessarily hurt more, as I don't have a comparison, but I do know wasps are repeat stingers. They don't lose their stinger in the skin after they sting like bees do.