Yellow Jacket Season In Northern Illinois: Some Things To Know

I know, I know. Some wasps are actually really beneficial insects, and we're supposed to leave them alone so they can go about their important little bug-eating business.

Yellowjackets, however, are a different story.

They're mean. They're cranky. They'll sting the hell out of you. And if you accidentally disturb their nest, they can bring a whole bunch of their friends to the party. At this time of year, most of us would be perfectly happy if they simply packed up and moved somewhere else.

Unfortunately, September into October is pretty much prime yellowjacket season in Illinois, which is why we're seeing so many of them.

A wasp reflects on a shiny surface

There Are More Yellow Jackets Active Now Than There Were All Summer

Yellowjackets have been around all spring and summer, but their colonies can reach their maximum size by late summer into early fall, sometimes containing thousands of workers. And as we get farther into fall, fewer flowers are blooming, which means there's less nectar available.

So the yellowjackets start looking elsewhere for dinner.

That's why they're suddenly all over your garbage cans, fallen fruit, outdoor food, sugary drinks and pretty much anything else that smells like something they can eat. They're not necessarily angrier than they were in June.

They're just hungry, there are a LOT more of them, and they're running out of food.

And unlike honeybees, a yellowjacket can sting you repeatedly. So if one starts buzzing around you, resist the urge to start swinging your arms like you're conducting the Rockford Symphony. Illinois Extension recommends gently brushing or blowing it away instead of swatting at it.

two yellow and black bees sitting on top of a rock

The Good News Is That Yellow Jacket Season In Northern Illinois Has An Expiration Date

Yellowjackets build a new colony every year. The workers eventually die when cold weather arrives, while newly produced queens find protected places to spend the winter. Those queens will emerge next spring and start the whole process over again.

So if you've been wondering why you're seeing so many yellowjackets lately, there's your answer.

They're basically enjoying their final big vacation before winter.

And personally, I'm perfectly happy to let them enjoy it somewhere that isn't anywhere near my patio.