Yellow Jackets Found in the Masonry of the Chimney in Lavallette, NJ
Challenge
After her chimney sweeper was stung by several yellow jackets, this homeowner in Lavallette, NJ, called our office to come out and eliminate these aggressive insects. Yellow jackets are aggressive, territorial wasps, with distinctive yellow-and-black coloration, that are known for their propensity to sting anyone and anything that they perceive as a threat, such as those who venture too close to their nests or their food.
Beyond being an annoyance at outdoor gatherings, yellow jackets can actually pose a significant threat to some people. Annually, over 500,000 people a year seek emergency room treatment due to stings from yellow jackets and other stinging insects. About 3% of the population has a severe, systemic reaction to bees and wasps. Even one sting, if not properly treated, could be fatal!
Solution
Since the nest was located on the top of the chimney (about 50 feet up) we equipped our protective bee suit, grabbed our ladder, and climbed to the top to treat the nest. The yellow jackets were nesting in a tiny gap in the masonry of the chimney. We injected a knockdown dusting application directly into the opening. This treatment will rapidly exterminate the yellow jackets. Nest, we treated the area with a liquid residual application, which will eliminate any remaining yellow jackets as well as prevent them from building another nest.