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Extension Entomology

Category: Household

Insight on wasp species, benefits and safe control practices

Posted on by Department of Entomology

MANHATTAN, Kan. — While wasps often get a bad reputation during summer picnics and yard work, not all are out to sting. In fact, many wasps are considered beneficial insects, helping to manage pest populations in gardens, fields and around the home, according to Kansas State University entomologist Jeff Whitworth.

“There are many different types of wasps in Kansas, but generally we group them into four main categories,” Whitworth said. “Two are social species that live in colonies, and two are solitary. All of them have their place in our ecosystem.”

Whitworth explained that the two species, often called paper wasps, build nests that resemble gray paper. Some species nest above ground, while others build their homes in the soil. These wasps often become noticeable during yardwork or when lifting hay bales or rocks.

“These wasps are usually non-aggressive,” Whitworth said. “If you disturb the nest, especially the underground kind, they’ll defend it just like a honeybee colony would.”

Unlike honey bees, which can sting only once, wasps can sting multiple times. Whitworth said that’s because female wasps don’t lose their stinger after using it.

“The female wasps are the hunters,” he said. “They sting caterpillars, grasshoppers or crickets to paralyze them and bring them back to their nest to feed their young. That’s why we consider them beneficial; they’re natural predators of many garden pests.”

Solitary wasps, like mud daubers, also help manage insect populations.

“They build, fill and seal the nest, then move on. They don’t come back to check on it and they rarely bother people.”

Whitworth said most wasps are harmless when left alone. However, there are times when you may need to remove a nest.

“Whether it’s a paper nest under an eave or a burrow in the ground, you’ll have better success treating the site at night,” he said. “Many common household insecticides are labeled for wasps, and the goal is to eliminate the nest when the wasps are home.”

Even outdoor events can draw a wasp’s attention, especially those attracted to sugar.

“They’re drawn to anything with sugar,” Whitworth said. “If you’re having a picnic, keep those things (containing sugar) covered or contained. “

Ultimately, Whitworth emphasized that most of the time wasps are more misunderstood than menacing.

“They’re not out to get you,” he said. “They’re just doing their jobs. Unless disturbed, most of them won’t bother you. They’re doing a service by helping control other pests.”

More information on controlling wasps around the home is available in the July 22 segment of the weekday K-State podcast, Agriculture Today.

More information: Jeff Whitworth, jwhitwor@ksu.edu

Related: Agriculture Today | Household Pests of Kansas

By Chevy-Lynn Vaske, K-State Research and Extension news service

Agriculture Today: Controlling Wasps

Posted on by Department of Entomology

Listen to Episode 1979 of Agriculture Today where crop entomologist Jeff Whitworth talks about wasps, which ones are common in Kansas and what people can do for control.

Episode: https://agtodayksu.libsyn.com/1979-snake-safety-precautionswasp-habitats

Related: Household Pests of Kansas

Agriculture Today is a daily program hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout the state and region. K-State agricultural specialists and other experts examine agricultural issues facing Kansas and the nation.

Keeping mosquitoes in check

Posted on by Department of Entomology
Warmer temperatures and wet weather patterns often pair to create ideal conditions for mosquitoes.

By K-State Research And Extension News Service.

Recent warming temperatures and wet weather patterns have created ideal conditions for mosquitoes, said Kansas State University entomologist Raymond Cloyd.

“There are a lot of situations (near the home) where standing water is around,” he said. “We need to be aware of mosquitoes.”

Cloyd suggests clearing out the breeding environments used by mosquitoes to help mitigate their numbers near homes.

“The way we approach mosquito management is source reduction, that is, remove all stagnant water from bird baths, old tires, wheelbarrows, or anything that holds water for an extended period of time,” he said.

Other ways to get rid of mosquito breeding grounds, according to the K-State Research and Extension publication, Pests That Affect Human Health: Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus:

  • Eliminate artificial water-holding containers. If that is not possible, empty buckets, cans, bottles, used tires and other containers at least once a week.
  • Fill or drain tree holes, stumps and puddles.
  • Irrigate gardens and lawns carefully to prevent water standing for more than a few days.
  • Check for water trapped in plastic covers on boats and swimming pools.
  • Make sure rain gutters are clean and do not hold water.

People can also use a wide variety of repellents to lessen the presence of female mosquitoes during the times they’re most active, according to Cloyd.

“If you’re going to be out at dusk and dawn, spray your body with a repellent such as DEET, Picaridin or IR3535,” he said.

Permethrin acts as another form of female mosquito control that affects them directly, but it must be applied properly to ensure human safety.

“Permethrin is an insecticide, but you don’t spray it on your skin,” Cloyd said. “You spray it just on your clothing. When you come back inside take a shower (after application).”

Mosquito management can also occur during the early phases of the insect’s life cycle using a larvicide in the form of mosquito dunks or bits.

“You can put mosquito dunks and bits in water to kill mosquitos in the larval stage,” Cloyd said. They’re completely harmless to pets and fish; all they kill is mosquito larva. So if you have a pond that’s not agitated or a bird bath you don’t want to change, you can throw in these mosquito dunks or bits. They’ll eat it then they’ll die.”

He added: “Dunks and bits are stomach poisons that contain the active ingredient, Bacillus thuringienesis (subspecies kurstaki, or Btk). Btk is a soil-borne bacterium that only kills mosquito larvae. It will manage mosquito larval populations for one to four weeks after application.”

More information about mosquito management is available at local extension offices in Kansas.

Protecting your home from wasps

Posted on by Department of Entomology
Adult mud dauber getting mud for nest building.

By K-State Research And Extension News Service.

A common problem many homeowners encounter is wasps taking up residence outside their homes. Kansas State University entomologist Raymond Cloyd says, however, not all wasps are harmful.

“Wasps are beneficial and they are part of the ecosystem,” Cloyd said. “They are predators of many caterpillar pests and are docile overall. They will usually only sting if disturbed or agitated.”

Mud daubers and paper wasps are commonly seen around homes and will generally not attack people. However, yellow jackets will actually attack people.

Despite the beneficial role of wasps, many people may want to remove wasp nests to avoid the possibility of getting stung when outdoors. When considering removing wasp nests, Cloyd advises determining whether the nest is new or mature.

“If the home has a history of wasps building nests, such as in late spring or early summer, physically remove the nest when you see the nest being initially built,” Cloyd said.

New nests can be removed with minimal risk of being stung because there are usually fewer wasps present inside the new nest. Wasps generally do not rebuild nests in the same location, so physically removing the nest will avoid having to deal with nests in the future.

Spraying nests with an insecticide should be done at night when the wasps are inside the nest, Cloyd said.

If the nest is large, mature, and has been around for some time, Cloyd recommends contacting a pest management professional.

“To avoid getting stung, contact a pest management professional,” he said.

Cloyd said that it is important to correctly identify the wasp that is creating the nest. He recommends contacting your local K-State Research and Extension office and either describing the insect over the phone or sending pictures via email.

More information: Raymond Cloyd, 785-532-4750, rcloyd@ksu.edu

Related: Household Pests of Kansas

Winged Ants or Termites

Posted on by Department of Entomology

As the weather warms especially after a shower of rain, many homeowners in Manhattan and all across Kansas may notice an unsettling sight: large numbers of winged insects fluttering around inside. Often close to a window or door, these springtime visitors can be reproductive ants or termites, emerging from their colonies to mate and establish new ones. While their sheer numbers can be alarming, understanding the difference between these two common household guests is the first step in addressing any potential concerns.

Winged termites (swarmers or reproductives)
Winged termites (swarmers or reproductives)
Winged ant (swarmer or reproductive)
Winged ant (swarmer or reproductive)

Spot the Difference: Ant or Termite?

Distinguishing between winged ants and termites is crucial, as their presence and potential impact on your home differ significantly. Here are three key characteristics to look for:

Feature Winged Ant Winged Termite
Antennae Elbowed (bent) Straight, bead-like
Wings Two pairs, unequal length Two pairs, equal length
Waist Thin, constricted Thick, broadly joined
Comparative drawing of termite and ant features (KSRE Publication MF722 Termites)
Comparative drawing of termite and ant features (KSRE Publication MF722 Termites)

Ants: The Organized Neighbors

Ants are social insects that live in colonies, which can be located indoors or outdoors depending on the species. Each colony typically has a queen responsible for producing eggs, and a workforce of sterile females that handle tasks like caring for the young and foraging for food. During warmer months, established colonies sometimes produce additional winged males and females, known as reproductives, which fly off to mate. After mating, the males soon die, while the females shed their wings and attempt to start new colonies elsewhere.

What to Do About Winged Ants:

Seeing a swarm of winged ants can be startling, but it doesn’t necessarily signal a major infestation within your home. These individuals are emerging from dark crack or crevice in the structure. They are most likely discovered near a light source, like a window or door as they try to get outside.

  • A few stray ants: Simply vacuum them up and dispose of the bag outdoors. They are unlikely to start a colony inside.
  • A significant indoor swarm: This could indicate a colony is located within your house or very close by. In this case:
    • Sanitation is key: Eliminate food sources like crumbs, spills, pet food, and open containers that may attract ants.
    • Consider targeted treatments: Indoor-safe insecticide sprays can help reduce populations, but treating the nest directly is the most effective solution. For outdoor nests, concentrated sprays can be more economical. Treat ant trails or the nest itself if you can locate it.
    • When in doubt, call a pro: If the nest is inaccessible or the problem persists, a professional pest control operator can provide effective solutions.

Learn More About Ants: For more in-depth information, read the publication from K-State Research and Extension, titled ‘Ants: Structural Pests’ which can be accessed online.

Termites: The Silent Destroyers

Termites

In Kansas, the eastern subterranean termite is the most prevalent and damaging species. These termites thrive in warm, moist environments and are often found in soil, building characteristic mud tubes or tunnels made of soil, fecal matter, and saliva. Termite colonies have a complex social structure with workers (creamy-white, wingless, and blind), soldiers (with distinctive large jaws), and winged reproductives (swarmers). It’s often these swarmers that first alert homeowners to a potential termite problem.

What to Do About Winged Termites:

The presence of termite swarmers indicates an existing termite colony in or around your home. In Kansas, the eastern subterranean termite is the most common and damaging. While the swarmers themselves are not immediately dangerous and are unlikely to establish a new colony indoors unless they find moist soil, their appearance should prompt further investigation.

  • Vacuum and inspect: Like winged ants, vacuum up any swarmers you find and discard the bag outdoors. Then, carefully inspect your home for other signs of termites, such as:
    • Mud tubes: Look for these pencil-width tubes running along foundation walls or wooden structures.
    • Mud-filled joints: Check wood framing, paneling, and trim for areas that appear to be filled with mud.
    • Damaged wood: Probe wood near the foundation with an ice pick, pocket knife, etc. Soft, easily punctured wood can indicate termite damage.
  • Professional help is recommended: Termite infestations are often complex and best managed by experienced pest control professionals. They can accurately assess the extent of the problem and implement effective treatment and control measures.

Learn More About Termites: For more in-depth information, read the publication from K-State Research and Extension, titled ‘Termites: Structural Pests’ which can be accessed online.

By understanding the differences between winged ants and termites and knowing the appropriate steps to take, homeowners can effectively address these springtime visitors and protect their homes.

For information that covers general information most common to Kansans, read the publication from K-State Research and Extension, titled ‘Household Pests of Kansas’ which can be accessed online.

More information: Jeff Whitworth, (785) 565-2371, jwhitwor@ksu.edu