Fall’s brisk weather brings an end to summer pleasures – and annoyances. In fact, do you know who loves picnics as much as this guy?

While you may say sad farewells to swimming, walking barefoot and picnicking, good riddance is the operative sentiment for the likes of the yellow jacket.

Yellow jackets, those buzzy scavengers that hover over spilled soda and other sweets, will die when winter comes, only survived by fertilized queens who will start colonies anew come spring. Colonies are still very active in late summer and the wasps may seem even more plentiful as their eating habits change back to sugary food, including fruit and nectar, after concentrating on collecting proteins for their offspring.

An aggressive wasp, yellow jackets will sting if provoked and will sting multiple times. The painful bite can be fatal for those allergic to particular insect bites.

Often mistaken for honey bees, yellow jackets are wasps that differ in many ways. Their bodies aren’t covered with fuzz like honey bees. And they are not equipped as significant pollinators. Yellow jackets, no matter how annoying they seem, are a beneficial insect, eating flies, caterpillars and other bugs in addition to meats and fish throughout the summer.

As you hold your last picnics and barbecues before winter rolls around, keep in mind a few tips for keeping yellow jackets away:

• Keep food covered while you dine outside.
• Clear away all dirty dishes immediately.
• Cover beverages with a lid and drink with a straw. That will keep yellow jackets from getting in and stinging your mouth.
• Cover garbage cans and tie trash bags tightly.
• Talk to the nursery or garden center about bait traps or other insecticide based solutions.

Barry “The Bug Guy”