Yellow Jackets

- Fast, aggressive black-and-yellow wasps circling food, drinks or trash cans. - Increased activity at ground holes, rodent burrows or under eaves. - Paper‑like nest fragments or chewed wood fibers near nest entrances. - Persistent wasp traffic at a single spot on the lawn or near the foundation in late summer.

Professional dust injection into nest entrance at night (low activity); aerosol or foam for aerial nests; never seal entrance without full colony elimination; treat in early morning or evening for safety. Professional treatment is done at low activity times (dusk/dawn) using dust or foam injected into the nest entrance; never seal a nest yourself—call a licensed pro for safe removal.

• Keep outdoor food, beverages, and trash cans covered or sealed tightly.
• Inspect eaves, ground-level voids, and utility boxes for early nest formation in spring.
• Fill rodent burrows promptly to eliminate potential ground-nest sites.
• Avoid wearing sweet-scented perfumes and bright floral patterns near nest areas.
• Keep epinephrine auto-injector accessible if any household member has known venom allergy.
• Keep outdoor food and beverages covered during events, especially in popular Asheville park and riverfront gathering spots.
• Use tightly sealed trash containers and clean spills promptly.
• Inspect eaves, soffits and ground cavities for early nest formation in spring.
• Fill old rodent burrows and seal holes in lawns and retaining walls.
• Avoid wearing floral scents and bright colors when near suspected nest areas.

Ground nests in abandoned rodent burrows, wall cavities, and attic spaces; aerial nests under eaves; colonies peak in late summer with 1,000–4,000 workers and maximum defensive aggression.

Yellow jackets are a common seasonal hazard in Asheville, especially in late summer around parks, picnic spots and homes with ground cavities or eaves for nesting.