LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Educators at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say homeowners can take many steps to deal with yellow jacket wasps.

UNL Extension educator Jonathan Larson says the wasps are among the more common stinging insects that homeowners may encounter.

Yellow jacket colonies should be approached at dusk or dawn, when the insects are the least active. Homeowners should also wear long sleeves, a hat and pants.

Chemical control options include aerosol products with a jet trigger and insecticide dusts. Spraying inside the colony is critical to controlling the population.

Larson says the wasps appear to be more prevalent this year. He’s had more than 50 people contact him in the past two weeks.