Spot the Stingers: How to Tell Wasps, Hornets, and Yellow Jackets Apart

A USA TODAY guide explains how to distinguish paper wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets by body shape, nest type, and location, noting that yellow jackets are usually the most aggressive. It offers safety tips for DIY removal (do so at night, wear protective gear, avoid burning or flooding nests) and lists when to call a professional (nests inside walls or near entries, allergies, or large colonies). Prevention tips include sealing cracks, covering food, cleaning up fruit, and installing screens to deter future infestations.