5 Stinging Insects Las Vegas Residents Should Know About

Las Vegas is home to a lot of stinging insects, but only a few are seriously threatening. In this blog post, we’ll look at the most dangerous stinging insects in our area and offer ways you can help control them.

Paper Wasps

These golden brown stinging insects are common all throughout North America. They can be identified by their slender waists, long legs, and by the umbrella-shaped nests they build in trees and shrubs. While these pests are considered beneficial to gardeners, they can be a serious problem for animals and homeowners if they build their nest over a doorway or other high-traffic area. Paper wasps deliver painful stings if you get too close to them so you’ll want to keep an eye out for them in the spring, especially if you are allergic to them.

Yellow Jackets

Yellow jackets are known for their aggressive behavior. These pests are among the smallest of wasps. They can be yellow, red or black with varying patterns of stripes. Yellow jackets prefer to establish their nests in the ground but they can also be found in crawlspaces, attics, and within walls. Yellow jackets emerge in the spring and become a real problem in late summer.

European Hornets

European hornets are large stinging insects typically red in color with yellow and brown stripes. They create oval-shaped paper nests typically in trees or shrubs. European hornets are not known to be aggressive unless their nest is disturbed or they are guarding food sources — like garbage cans. These pests inflict very painful stings.

Bark Scorpion

Bark scorpions are the most venomous scorpion in the country and they’re very common in Las Vegas homes. These nocturnal pests are typically about 2 to 3 inches and tan in color. The bark scorpion is the only type of scorpion that can walk vertically. While they prefer woodpiles and debris you can often find bark scorpions in garages, closets, and bathrooms.

Desert hairy Scorpion

Desert hairy scorpions are one of the largest scorpion species. They are typically yellow in color and about 5.5” in size. These pests are nocturnal and prefer to burrow. While the pain of a sting is comparable to the sting of a honey bee, there have been life-threatening stings reported.

Stinging Insect Control

One of the best ways to prevent an infestation from any of these stinging insects is to eliminate food sources. Remove any standing water from your property like birdbaths or buckets and keep your trash cans tightly sealed. You’ll also want to make sure your home is secure. Scorpions can squeeze through small gaps and cracks, so seal off any potential entry points in your home. We also recommend you remove debris from your property. Many pests are attracted to wood piles and clutter and will quickly invade your property. And lastly, we recommend contacting your local pest control company. From inspecting your home and locating vulnerable spots to delivering professional grade treatments, pest control technicians know how to keep all pests away from your property, for good.