Yellow JacketYellow-jackets are day-active beneficial, predatory insects. They
build a paper-like nest containing several layers of cells. A mature nest may
typically have 2,000 - 6,000 cells and 1,000-4,000 workers. They are 3/8" to 5/8" long, depending on the species, with their respective queens being about 25% longer. Most species are black with white
markings. Nests are sometimes built in open aerial spots, or within bushes, but most species build their nest in a cavity hollowed out below ground. Some workers act as guards at the entrances to below-ground nests. They are very protective of their nest. Usually only fertilized queens live over the winter.
Although yellow jackets are generally not likely to attack and sting humans, they can quickly become very aggressive if their nest is disturbed. After the new fertilized queens have gone into their overwintering sites, the remaining workers begin to seek sweets and garbage near places where humans are active
outdoors. They are attracted to sweets or syrups, such as that left in the bottoms of soda cans. These and other sweet things in and around garbage cans or bags can draw dozens or even hundreds of such
pest wasps. Since they no longer have a colony to provide for, these yellow jacket workers tend to "hang around" and may even become more aggressive than they were before. They may even try to protect
their new food source