Summer is around the corner, and that means you’re going to be spending more time outside. Unfortunately, that also means you’re going to encounter wasps and hornets from time to time, especially if you’re having food and drink.
The bane of picnics and barbecues, wasps
and hornets can really make people uncomfortable. Even one lone wasp can
ruin someone’s day at the park. That’s most likely because people associate
them with getting stung – which does unfortunately happen from time to time.
Here’s what do you need to know when it comes to defending
yourself against these flying menaces.
Solitary vs. Social
Wasps
Wasps and hornets (which are actually a type of wasp) are
generally categorized into two main types according to their behavior: solitary
or social. Of all the species of wasps in the world (there are over 30,000)
solitary wasps form the vast majority. However, social wasps are the type more
commonly found in Ontario, and include Yellow Jackets, Paper Wasps and
Bald-Faced Hornets.
What’s the difference? Well as you might have guessed,
solitary wasps live their lives by themselves, and are much less aggressive and
less likely to sting you. They mostly use their stingers to disable their prey.
Social wasps live in colonies, and if they feel threatened in any way,
especially near their home, they will attack and sting aggressively.
Yellow Jackets are a particular concern as they will tend to
sting without even being provoked.
If you notice an active wasp nest near your home or business,
you should take it very seriously. Call a professional
wasp nest removal expert right away. Meanwhile, you can educate yourself
about wasps and hornets and find out the best way to prevent an infestation.
Here are a few tips:
Ensure your home doesn’t have any openings for them to enter
through. Inspect your home or business exterior thoroughly and seal up any cracks,
crevices, gaps and holes with quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk.
Make sure to check out:
·
Windows, doors, siding, eaves
and fascia boards
·
Roof joints and behind chimneys
·
Places where utility pipes,
plumbing, wires or cables enter the building
Repair or replace torn window and door screens and weather
stripping. Repair or replace screens in the roof and soffit vents if necessary.
Trim back trees, shrubs and bushes. Make sure to remove any empty
wasp or hornet nests from previous seasons.
Store garbage and recycling with tight-fitting covers away
from your building.
Regularly clean garbage cans, green bins and recycling
receptacles to remove sugars and proteins. These will attract wasps.
In the summer, help keep wasps away (especially Yellow
Jackets) from outdoor social areas by keeping food sealed or covered and
cleaning up any spills as quickly as possible.
You can try to lure yellow jackets away from your outdoor
eating areas by placing a cup fruit juice or other sweet beverage away from the
area, which will help keep them at bay.
If you do notice a large number of wasps or hornets near
your home or business, it’s best to call a professional exterminator right
away. There’s no reason to put up with a wasp nest – and you should avoid
handling it yourself. Leave it to the pros!
