Skip to Left navigation Skip to Main content Skip to Footer

University of Minnesota Extension
www.extension.umn.edu
612-624-1222

Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > Insects found indoors > Winged Insects - 1/2 inch and greater > Yellowjackets

Print Icon Email Icon Share Icon

Yellowjackets

Vespula and Dolichovespula spp.

yellowjacket

Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

Yellowjackets

Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension


Description: 3/8 - 5/8 inch long (queens, sometimes seen from late summer to spring, can be almost as large as 1 inch long). Black and yellow striped insects; generally smooth without many hairs.

Where/When: Yellowjackets can nest on or inside buildings (they can also nest in other sites including trees and in the ground). Workers are active from spring until fall, although the presence of nests may not be detected until mid to late summer. Workers may be found indoors if there is a nest within the structure of a home. Yellowjackets queens may enter homes during the fall in search of overwintering sites.

Significance: They are a potential health problem because of their ability to sting. Occupants of nests do not survive freezing temperatures and nest are not reused.

More information on Yellowjackets

Did this tool help you identify the insect? Tell us.