2 Critters That Can Take Over And Old Stump
If you had a tree that died and fell in your yard, you may be left with a stump in your yard. Some people think that they can just leave the stump and maybe landscape around it, put some flowers around it, or something similar. However, no matter how pretty you make the area around the stump, you aren't going to make it less attractive to the animals and pests that like to live in stumps.
Yellow Jackets/Wasps
Yellow jackets and wasps both like to find hollow places where they can build their hives. They will build their hives in any hole, including holes in the ground, so a hollow rotting stump can be perfect for them. Unlike honey bees, yellow jackets and wasps are aggressive and will attack in larger numbers if they feel that their hive is threatened.
There are some things that you can look for to tell if you have honey bees or yellow jackets. A yellow jacket has two distinct body segments, with a tiny little waist in between them. They also have yellow and black bands around their body. A honey bee has less defined body segments, and their stripes are usually black and brown. Another difference, but one you don't want to find out about, is that yellow jackets are able to sting more than once without dying, but when a honey bee stings, it dies.
If you have honey bees, you can call a bee removal company to relocate the bees. If you have yellow jackets or wasps, call an exterminator.
Rats
No one wants to think about having rats anywhere near their house, but the truth is, rats are everywhere. Rats are true survivors. You put them in just about any environment, and not only will they survive, they will thrive.
Rats like to live in places like stumps because they can chew a den inside that is big enough for them and their families. Rats also compulsively chew because their teeth are always growing and chewing keeps the teeth from getting too big. A stump is good for that. The stump is generally close enough to your house that the rats can get into your garbage and that of your neighbors so that they can find something to eat and bring back to their den in the stump.
If you have an old stump in your yard, you may think it's picturesque, but there are pests out there who are going to think it's home. Be sure to call your local stump removal company to have it removed as soon as possible.
