Types Of Stinging Insects In New Mexico
New Mexico is buzzing with all sorts of stinging insects, and it's good to know what you're up against, especially during the warmer months. You'll find everything from busy honeybees helping to pollinate plants to feisty paper wasps and those pesky fire ants that can really pack a punch. Each of these insects has its own role in the environment, but they can also cause some trouble if you get too close. Let's look at the types of stinging insects we have in New Mexico and what you can do about them.
Common stinging insects in Albuquerque & throughout New Mexico
You're probably picturing the usual suspects when you think about stinging insects. While we have those, we also have others you might not realize. Here's a list of common stinging insects in our region:
- Paper wasps
- Bald-faced hornets
- Yellow jackets
- Mud daubers
- Carpenter bees
- Africanized honey bees
- Bumble bees
Bald-faced hornets, mud daubers, and yellow jackets are all types of wasps. While they share many behavior patterns, some species are more aggressive than others. Additionally, some wasps live alone, such as mud daubers, while others are considered social wasps, living together in nests that can house dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of insects.
All of these wasps construct nests, but not always in the same locations or using the same materials. For instance, paper wasps create nests that hang in the air, while yellow jackets tend to nest underground or in natural voids or man-made spaces. Additionally, they all have the ability to sting and their stings can be painful, although some are more likely to sting than others.
The Africanized honey bee is the most concerning bee in our area due to its intense nest-protection instinct. These bees usually build their nests in empty spaces near sources of food. Known as the killer bee, these stinging insects are very aggressive and tend to fiercely defend their hive. They are also likely to chase a perceived threat up to a quarter of a mile.
Let’s not forget about scorpions
In our New Mexico service area, we have another common pest that stings but is not considered an insect - it is an arachnid. This means it has eight legs, rather than six. It has two crab-like claws and a tail that curls upward.
Scorpions deliver stings with stingers on the tips of their tails. These stings are venomous and can be painful. Most scorpion species hide under rocks and other objects in our yards. Some can scale walls and slip into structures through thin gaps.
How to prevent stinging pest problems
There are many ways to deter the pests mentioned in this blog and to prevent them from stinging you. Here are some helpful prevention tips:
- Seal all potential entry points.
- Remove lawn weeds.
- Trim back shrubs and other landscape elements.
- Cut grass regularly.
- Remove hummingbird feeders.
- Keep outdoor trash cans covered and away from your exterior.
- Clear away tree branches, rotting wood, and other organic debris.
- Eliminate other insect populations in your yard.
Professional bee and wasp removal in Albuquerque and New Mexico
Greenway Pest Solutions provides personalized bee and wasp removal services in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and throughout our service area. Our services are designed to help property owners eliminate mud daubers from their entryways, remove killer bees swarming on their fences, and solve other stinging insect problems. Our comprehensive service includes:
- An inspection and quote based on the pest, location, and severity of the problem as well as other factors.
- Customized treatment that may include swarm removal and other effective solutions.
- A follow-up service to ensure the problem is resolved.
Sign up for home pest control services & let our team take care of the stinging pests for you!
When you have ongoing home pest control service from a trusted provider, like Greenway Pest Solutions, you get layers of protection against wasps.
During your first service visit, we will inspect your property to identify existing pest problems, conducive conditions, and other factors that contribute to pest problems. Following the inspection, we will provide interior and exterior pest treatments to eliminate any insects and rodents that are already active in your home or on your property.
To ensure that your property remains protected from pests, we will send out a pest control specialist every season to treat the exterior of your home. If you have noticed any problems on the inside, all you have to do is let us know, and we will also treat indoors!
While not all stinging pests are covered under our Premium Plan, our bee & wasp removal services mentioned above targets killer bees as well as other types of bees and stinging insects not included.
Don’t let stinging pests prevent you from enjoying your outdoor living space; contact Greenway Pest Solutions for assistance!
