Pests don't wait. Protect your home today.
Yellowjacket (Vespula species)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
$50 OFF your first service + FREE inspectionNew customers · No code needed · No expiration
What Are Yellowjackets?
Yellowjackets are social wasps that build enclosed paper nests, often hidden in the ground, in a wall void or in a dense shrub. Unlike honey bees, they can sting more than once. They become a problem when nests are near where people walk, mow or play, and they're known to show up at outdoor meals looking for sweet drinks and meat. Southern yellowjackets and eastern yellowjackets are among the species found in Florida.
What About Hornets?
Many people call any large wasp a "hornet." True hornets are a separate group. The European hornet is found in parts of Florida but is more common farther north, and the bald-faced hornet, which builds the familiar gray football-shaped nests in trees, is actually a type of yellowjacket. In South Florida, most "hornet" calls turn out to be yellowjackets or paper wasps. If you see a large papery nest in a tree or under the eaves, we'll identify it and treat it the same careful way.
How to Identify Yellowjackets
They're stockier and brighter than paper wasps, with bold yellow-and-black bands and a quick, darting flight. A steady stream of wasps flying in and out of a single hole in the ground, a gap in siding or a crack in a wall is a strong sign of a hidden nest.
Common look-alikes:
- Paper wasps: slender with dangling legs and open, umbrella-shaped nests. See paper wasp.
- Honey bees: fuzzy, golden-brown and less shiny.
- Hover flies: look like yellowjackets but hover in place and don't sting.
Life Cycle and Habits
A queen begins a nest and raises workers, and the colony grows through the season. In warm climates, some colonies can continue longer than in northern states. Workers feed the larvae insects and meat, while adults themselves seek sugars. As colonies get larger, they become more defensive.
Signs of Yellowjackets
- Wasps entering and leaving a hole in the lawn, mulch or a garden bed
- Activity at a gap in siding, soffit, or around a light fixture or vent
- Buzzing or chewing sounds inside a wall or ceiling
- Wasps swarming garbage cans, sodas and food at outdoor gatherings
Is it dangerous?
- Stings
- Allergens
Defend nests aggressively and can sting multiple times; allergic reactions.
Safety Tips
- Never block, flood or pour gasoline into a nest entrance. It's dangerous and can drive wasps into the home.
- Mark ground nests and keep kids, pets and mowers away until they're treated.
- Use lids on drinks outdoors and keep trash cans closed.
- Seek emergency care right away for any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing or dizziness, or for many stings at once.
How Pro-Spray Treats Yellowjackets and Hornets
We locate the nest entrance, treat the nest directly with products made for wasp control, and return if needed to confirm the colony is gone. Nests inside walls take special care so wasps don't chew through into living areas. We'll also recommend sealing gaps after the colony is eliminated.
If you hear buzzing inside a wall, keep the room closed off and call us rather than opening the wall yourself.
New customer offer
$50 OFF your first service
+ FREE inspection
Then stay protected with our $125 quarterly pest control plan, about $42/month.
New customers only. No code needed and no expiration. Mention this offer when you call or text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are yellowjackets bees?
Why are yellowjackets coming out of my lawn?
Are there hornets in South Florida?
Can I seal the hole myself?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
Get $50 OFF your first pest service and a FREE inspection & estimate. Ongoing protection is $125 quarterly (about $42/month), with no contracts and no cancellation fees.
Prefer to text or email? Text us · info@prospraypest.com