Fresh Perspective On The Aggressive Yellow Jackets In Connecticut

If you've read any Connecticut news in the past 10 days you've at least accidentally learned that a new, more aggressive type of yellow jacket has invaded Connecticut. The Southern Yellow Jackets and their "aggressive" behavior are all the rage in the Nutmeg State.

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We couldn't make heads or tails of this so we called in our wildlife correspondent Jen "The Zookeeper" for a fresh perspective. Jen joined us on the Friday (09/13/24) edition of the I-95 Morning Show and this is some of what she had to say:

Lou: We've been reading in the news all week about these southern yellow jackets invading Connecticut and apparently they are more dangerous than our run of the mill yellow jackets, can you tell us why that is? 

Jen: "Can't we all just get along? These poor yellow jackets, they're not more aggressive than the others, they're just angrier this time of year. So, they are coming up from the south because their range is expanding because of weather conditions, climate change is causing all sorts of migration patterns to be altered. So here is the bottom line, when the weather turns colder when they're here, their food sources disappear and they start to starve. That starvation makes them super angry and super aggressive and now they're really looking hard to find food. In the late summer and early fall just when their food sources are starting to diminish, that is when they are the most frustrated. Right now, they are trying to find out how to find food and where to find it. If that means that they're going to go to some late picnickers area who says come on, let's go have one more picnic before the fall starts you're going to be surrounded by starving yellow jackets who are only trying to find food for themselves and for the queen as well." 

SNICKERS - "You're not you when you're hungry."

In case you were curious, Jen "The Zookeeper" consulted with an entomologist before speaking about the yellow jackets on our show. She is our wildlife correspondent for a reason, she knows her s---, just take a look at her background.

Jen has been immersed in the conservation & science education field for over 30 years. While working as Director of Animal Care for The New Canaan Nature Center in Connecticut, she was responsible for the care of native wildlife and birds of prey, while teaching the public about the roles of these wild neighbors.

While with the Bronx Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo, Jen’s main priority was the care of exotic hoof stock, again while teaching the public about the delicate balance of humans & habitats. While working with a wildlife sanctuary in Half Moon Bay, CA, Jen played a major role in the wildlife training and handling of some 50 exotic species.

Her major focus was creating curriculum for a variety of programs including at-risk and foster youth programming. These programs encompassed helping fragile children gain a sense of trust and worthwhile developing a healing relationship with the non-releasable wildlife at the sanctuary.

Currently, Jen is the owner and sole proprietor of Jen Kotkin Pet Care, providing pet care as well as mental and physical exercise & stimulation for dogs, cats, horses, birds, and more!

Jen continues to create a variety of programs that cater to the needs of many organizations. Her passion for teaching about the natural world to those around her is important, and hopes to ignite this spark for others, just as it did for her!

Listen to our entire discussion with Jen "The Zookeeper" below.

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