When do yellow jackets typically begin reproducing?

Yellow jackets typically begin reproducing in the spring. This is when their queens emerge from hibernation after winter and start the process of establishing new colonies. They search for food and suitable nesting sites, laying their first batch of eggs as they build up the colony for the warmer months. As the season progresses, these colonies grow, and the workers that emerge from the eggs assist the queen in expanding the nest and foraging for food. Understanding this seasonal behavior is crucial for pest control efforts, as it informs the timing of treatments to manage their populations effectively.