It's that time of the year when many yellow jacket (Vespula vulgaris or V. germanica) nests naturally decline. This year, I had the chance to watch three active nests on my property and one of them was located in a high-traffic area! Not one of them posed a threat or bothered anyone - I would sit just a foot away from their entrance and peacefully observe them without any aggression. It goes to show that, unless provoked, yellow jackets generally won't pay much attention to humans.
Here are some reasons why yellow jackets are important:
1) They play a role as pollinators, contributing to the ecosystem.
2) Yellow jackets are valuable for pest control, as they help reduce the population of crop-damaging pests.
3)They serve as a crucial food source for various birds and mammals
If you ever *need* to remove a nest, please avoid using chemical solutions, which can have unintended consequences for beneficial insects, mammals, and birds long after the nest is gone.
I understand that some may cringe at the thought of yellow jackets and say "ewww" and "kill it", but it's important to recognize their ecological significance, and again, in most cases, they won't pose a threat if left undisturbed
wasps are friends!
