Common Signs of Underground Pest Nests Around Your Mount Laurel Home

Ever seen a wasp come out of the ground? (Yikes). 

Well, that usually means they’ve been there for months (and you didn’t see the signs). Ground-nesting ants, yellow jackets, and other insects that nest underground tend to build their communities in silence. 

By the time you notice them, their colony is already rooted deep beneath your property. 

So, what are the signs to look for with underground pests? And what pests should you be looking for? 

Most Common Ground-Nesting Pests in Mount Laurel

Keep your eyes peeled for these ground-nesting pests in Mount Laurel: 

• Pavement ants - these are small, dark brown ants that nest under slabs, sidewalks, driveways, and foundation edges. They usually push fine granular soil through the cracks. 
• Carpenter ants - these are larger black ants that nest in moist or damaged wood. They leave a coarse sawdust-like material near where they excavate. If on your property, they can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. 
• Yellow jackets - these are a type of wasp that can be both aggressive and opportunistic. They often build nests in abandoned rodent burrows, under slabs, and along retaining walls. 

Early Signs

The earliest signs of a ground-nesting pest are easy to overlook (so don’t feel too bad if you missed them). 

Here are a few to look for: 

• Bare patches and thinning turf - when you have a colony underground, the grass above it begins to thin and die. It can appear to be a watering or drainage issue (which is why this often gets overlooked). 
• Small soil mounds, pushed-up-dirt, or fine granular piles - being industrious, underground pests will leave evidence of their hard work. You’ll often see these mounds on walkway edges, planting beds, and along foundation seams. 
• Entry holes - look for small, clean openings in the lawn, at the base of trees, along retaining walls, or tucked against the foundation. These are the access points the colony is using to come and go. 

The Biggest Signs

Have you noticed a consistent line of insects moving to and from a specific spot? If so, it’s probably where ants or yellow jackets are building their nest.

And it’s important to pay attention to: 

• Activity at particular times of day - many ground-nesting insects are most active in early morning, while others peak in the heat of the afternoon. Knowing this can help technicians treat the area properly. 
• Sudden defensive behavior - disturbing any ground near a nest can trigger defensive behavior (like during mowing, edging, or weeding). For example, if you’ve gotten an ugly wasp sting while mowing, you may have uncovered a ground nest. 

Common Places to Find Underground Nests

Underground pests have their favorite places to nest. 

And here are the most common places to look in Mount Laurel yards: 

• Sunny, dry patches of lawn
• Beneath slabs
• Under patios
• Under pavers and stepping stones
• Retaining walls
• Woodpiles
• Foundation seams 

Do-it-Yourself Treatment Might Not Go As Planned 

When you find an underground nest, your first instinct might be to pour or spray something into the opening. But, this could go so wrong. In so many ways. 

Pouring or flooding a nest pushes the colony deeper, and can trigger a last-resort, survival-fueled response. Also, flooding out the nest will likely not reach the queen, which means the colony will live on. 

And that’s why, for our ant control and wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket removal services, we treat ground nests using EPA-registered products applied directly into the underground nest. 

For ongoing perimeter coverage that helps keep ground-nesting pests from establishing near your foundation and entry points in the first place, Complete Home & Yard provides consistent indoor and outdoor coverage applied on a recurring schedule throughout the season.

You can also browse our local blog for more tips on managing pest activity in the Mount Laurel area, or explore our full range of local services.

Noticing signs of a pest nest around your Mount Laurel property? Call Mosquito Squad Plus of Mount Laurel at (856) 300-6146 or contact us online for a free quote.