Yellow Jacket Control

Yellow jackets are black and yellow wasps that often nest in the ground or inside walls. They aren't part of Liberty's plans, so yellow jacket treatment starts with a free inspection.

How to identify

  • Black and bright yellow wasps about ½ inch long.
  • Smooth, shiny bodies with a narrow waist, not fuzzy like bees.
  • They fold their wings lengthwise when resting.

Common yellow jackets in our area

  • Eastern yellow jacket

    Vespula maculifrons

    Look for
    A black-and-yellow wasp about 1/2 inch long with a black anchor-shaped mark near the front of its abdomen.
    Where you'll find it
    Usually nests underground in old rodent burrows in lawns and landscape beds, or under rocks, splash blocks and landscape timbers.

Signs you have them

  • Yellow jackets flying in and out of a hole in the ground
  • Wasps coming and going from a gap in siding, walls or an attic vent
  • Yellow jackets gathering around trash cans, sweet drinks or picnic food

Where they're found

Yellow jackets often nest underground in old rodent burrows, and also in wall voids, attics, sheds and hollow logs.

How Liberty treats it

Starts with a free inspection
  1. Inspection

    Yellow jacket treatment starts with a free inspection. A local Service Advisor does a thorough inspection to find the nest and see how big it is, where yellow jackets are coming and going, and what draws them, like open trash, fallen fruit and sweet drinks.

  2. Treatment

    • Treat the nestYour Service Specialist treats the nest at its entrance, whether it is in the ground, a wall or an attic.
    • Remove reachable nestsWhen a nest hangs in the open, like in a shed or under an eave, they remove it after treatment.
    • Find other nestsThey check your yard, eaves and outbuildings for other yellow jacket nests and treat any they find.
  3. Follow-up

    Your Service Specialist comes back for follow-up visits as needed to check the nest. Yellow jackets aren't part of our plans, but a pest control plan, with visits every 3 months, helps keep everyday pests like ants, spiders and first-floor wasps away.

What our customers say

Reviews from our Google Business Profile.

661 Google reviews
Read all reviews on Google

Huge shoutout to Liberty Pest Control for their outstanding service! Today Trei Bisher stopped by for our service, and the experience was top-notch from start to finish. First off, the truck pulled into the driveway and I have to say… WOW. The design looks fantastic. It’s clean, professional, and really shows that Liberty Pest Control takes pride in their presentation. But the service itself is what really stood out. Trei didn’t just show up and rush through the job. He took the time to touch base with me first to make sure he had all the correct information about what I needed. He clearly explained what he was going to be doing and even mentioned another service option they offer.. but in a helpful way, not pushy at all. Another thing I really appreciated was how respectful he was of my workspace. Since I work remotely, it was important that my day wasn’t interrupted. Trei moved efficiently from area to area, getting everything done without interfering with my work at all. Professional, respectful, and thorough service like this is exactly why companies like Liberty Pest Control stand out. If you’re looking for reliable pest control with great people behind the work, they’re definitely worth calling.

David Phillips
6 months ago · Google review

Trai came out for our initial inspection and was amazing! He provided us with all of the information we needed in order to move forward with booking quarterly inspections/treatment and he was super nice! If our experience with Liberty Pest Control will always be as great as it was with Trai today, then we are definitely looking forward to our future with them! Thank you so much, Trai! 100/10 recommend!

Jodi Myers
3 months ago · Google review

Liberty Pest Control provides wonderful service from start to finish! Their website is easy to use, making scheduling and managing appointments simple and convenient. Our technician, Gabe, was excellent. He arrived on time, was personable and professional, and took the time to walk me through the services he was performing. He was very thorough in his inspection and treatment, and I especially appreciated that he followed up afterward to explain what he found and answer any questions I had. I highly recommend Liberty Pest Control to anyone looking for reliable, friendly, and thorough pest control service!

Meg Morrow
3 months ago · Google review

Reviews and rating from Google, updated September 20, 2026.

See more reviews

The Paducah Sun Readers' Choice 2024 seal
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The Paducah Sun Readers' Choice 2026 seal
West Kentucky Star People's Choice 2026

Voted best pest control

Paducah Sun readers chose Liberty as the best pest control three years in a row.

  • The Paducah Sun Readers' Choice · Best Pest Control 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Marshall County Tribune-Courier · Best Pest Control 2025, 2026
  • West Kentucky Star · People's Choice 2026
  • Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce · Entrepreneur of the Year: John Stopka 2025

What it costs

FreeInspection

Your Service Advisor looks at the problem first and goes over your options.

DIY prevention tips

  • Use trash cans with tight, ideally self-closing lids, and empty and clean them often.
  • Keep food and drinks covered outdoors, and check open cans or cups before you sip.
  • Rake up and throw away fallen fruit under trees.
  • Seal cracks around windows, pipes and vents so yellow jackets can't nest inside walls.
  • Stay away from holes where yellow jackets are flying in and out, and call a professional to remove the nest.

Common questions

Are yellow jackets covered by my plan?

No. Yellow jackets aren't part of our plans. They start with a free inspection.

How are yellow jackets different from bees?

Yellow jackets are wasps. They have smooth, shiny bodies with bright yellow and black bands, while honey bees are fuzzy and golden brown.

When are yellow jackets most active?

Yellow jackets are active from spring through fall, and their nests grow largest in late summer. That's when they're most often seen around trash cans and outdoor food.

Where do yellow jackets build nests?

Yellow jackets often nest in the ground, in old rodent burrows, and inside walls, attics, sheds and hollow logs. Watch for a steady stream of yellow jackets flying in and out of one spot.

What attracts yellow jackets?

Sweet drinks, ripe or fallen fruit, open trash cans and outdoor pet food draw yellow jackets, especially later in summer. Keeping lids on trash and cleaning up after cookouts helps.

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