| Scientific name | Vespula maculifrons |
|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps |
| Size | 10–16 mm (up to about 0.63 in) |
| Colors | Yellow and Black |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Lawn or grass, Yard or patio and Garden or plants |
| Most active | Summer and Fall |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Health risk |
How to identify it
The yellowjacket is a medium-sized member of the bees & wasps group. Two pairs of wings and, in females, a stinger at the tip of the abdomen. Check for these three features:
- Smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair
- Narrow waist and wings folded lengthwise at rest
- Rapid side-to-side flight near nest entrances
About this bug
A sleek, bright yellow-and-black wasp that nests underground or in wall voids. Late-summer workers scavenge for sweets and meat and are drawn to picnics and trash cans.
You'll usually find yellowjackets in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants. They are most active in summer and fall.
Is it dangerous?
Yellowjackets sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively; multiple stings or an allergy can be dangerous.
Our rating: Health risk, meaning it can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
When you'll see yellowjackets
Yellowjackets are most active in summer and fall. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.
Typical places to check: lawn or grass, yard or patio and garden or plants.
About bees & wasps
The yellowjacket is one of the bees & wasps. Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
What to do about it
- Keep lids on trash and cover food and drinks outdoors
- Hang yellowjacket traps in late summer away from seating areas
- Have a professional remove ground or wall nests
Read the full guide: how to get rid of yellowjackets.
Bugs that look similar
Color: Yellowjackets are yellow and black; honey bees are yellow, brown and black.
Size: Paper Wasps are larger, reaching 25 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
Size: Bald-Faced Hornets are larger, reaching 20 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
Size: Cicada Killers are larger, reaching 50 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
Frequently asked questions
What does a yellowjacket look like?
Smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair. Adults measure 10–16 mm (up to about 0.63 in).
Does the yellowjacket bite or sting?
It does not bite. It can sting. Yellowjackets sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively; multiple stings or an allergy can be dangerous.
Where do yellowjackets live?
Yellowjackets live in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants.
When are yellowjackets most active?
Mostly in summer and fall.