Knowledgebase
Do I need an exterminator for these? #879317
Asked July 29, 2024, 5:47 PM EDT
I have seen 4 of these in the kitchen and 2 or 3 in two bathrooms in my house. They look like ants, but they're huge. They succomb to orange spray that's safe for me and the dog. Notice on the bottom of the dead one the stripes! I still have a smaller winged one on my screen in the kitchen trying to get out. Are these carpenter ants, or some stinging being? This year I've had 12 wasp nests and one yellowjacket nest killed, fought hundreds of millers from May to now, and now this. Yikes!
Weld County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
That is a paper wasp (Polistes spp.). They prefer to nest in places sheltered from rain, which is often under the eaves of homes. They are most likely nesting on an eave outside, and making their way indoors through unsealed cracks around windows/doors/vents. To prevent their entry, ensure those cracks are properly sealed. It's also possible they're nesting inside, but you probably would have noticed that. The best long term solution is locate and eliminate the nest, rather than killing the individuals as you find them. This can be done yourself, but a professional service will help you avoid any personal injury.
Let me know if you have further questions.
