Fullerton Schools Setting Traps for Infestation of Yellow Jackets

Mild temperatures may be responsible for large infestations of yellow jackets that have been especially troublesome at school campuses in Fullerton, officials said Friday.

The Fullerton School District has set roughly 20 traps at nine schools, with some traps catching as many 200 yellow jackets each day, said Gary Drabek, the district’s director of maintenance and operations.

Swarms of yellow jackets, attracted to meat and sweets, have prompted school officials to have children eat their lunches indoors. Several children were treated for stings, with health professionals using cold compresses and antihistamines.

In most cases, a yellow jacket’s sting can cause itching, some pain and swelling. But in rare cases, the sting can cause hives, shortness of breath and be life-threatening to people who are allergic to the venom.

Mike Lawton, an entomologist at Western Exterminators, said cold weather usually causes colonies of the insects to die off. But the mild weather so far this year means many of the yellow jackets survived, he said.

The traps have been very effective so far, Drabek said. His staff has experimented with several baits and has found a mixture of pheromone, a nontoxic substance, and beef bologna works best.

Drabek said unusually large numbers of yellow jackets also have been reported at the Walnut-Valley Unified School District in Diamond Bar and in parts of Brea and Yorba Linda.

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Yellow Jacket

Vespula pensylvanica

Yellow jackets belong to a species of social wasps. Workers and queens can inflict stings; males are harmless. The insects are most active during midday, from spring to late fall.

Length: 7/16” to 9/16” long

Description: Black and yellow body with narrow waist; translucent golden-tan wings

Food: Insects, fruit nectar and meat; nickname is the “meat bee”

Sting prevention: Avoid nesting places. Keep food, including pet food, and drinks covered. These wasps are attracted to luncheon meat and are known to crawl inside soda cans.

Treatment: Itching, pain and minimal swelling can be reduced using antihistamines and a cold compress. People allergic to venom develop hives, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, and should seek immediate medical attention.

Sources: UC Davis; University of Kentucky; All Valley Honey and Bee