When is the best time to treat yellow jacket nests?

The best time to treat yellow jacket nests is in the spring, at night. Treating the nests during this time is effective because yellow jackets are less active after dark, which minimizes the risk of becoming stung during the treatment process. Additionally, in the spring, many yellow jacket colonies are smaller and still in the early stages of development, making it easier to manage the population before it grows larger and more aggressive.

In contrast, attempting to treat nests during the day, when yellow jackets are foraging for food, increases the likelihood of encounters with the wasps. Additionally, targeting nests in the fall would involve larger populations that are typically more aggressive, as they are preparing to gather resources and defend their nests. Thus, choosing to treat in spring at night strikes the balance of safety and effectiveness in controlling yellow jacket populations.