Wasps

How to identify Wasps?

A typical wasp is hairless, unlike common species of bees. Wasps possess three distinct body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. The thorax is joined to the abdomen by a constricted petiole giving the appearance of a thin/slender waist. The thorax has three pairs of legs and two pairs of membranous wings which are used for flying. Like most insects, the head bears mouth parts, sensory organs, compound eyes, and segmented antennae. The last segment of the abdomen in female wasps is modified into the egg-laying ovipositors. The body size and color of a wasp varies depending on species. Yellow jackets and hornets are stout and very colorful with bold yellow, white, and black markings on their bodies and faces. Paper wasps on the other hand are relatively long and thin-bodied (16 – 25 mm), long-legged, and have yellow-reddish and black markings. Mud daubers are very distinct, with very long bodies, 13 – 25mm long, with either long or stalked abdomen. Compared to other wasps, mud daubers are not so colorful; they are mainly black with occasional pale-yellow markings.

Signs of an infestation

Wasp Nests

Wasp nests can be found in numerous areas in and around homes. For instance, paper wasps tend to build aerial nests that hang from trees, the eaves of roofs, and even around decking or playground equipment. On the other hand, most types of yellow jackets build their nests in the ground, using old rodent burrows or protected areas under shrubs and rock piles. Identifying the species present is important for proper wasp nest removal.

Problems Associated with Wasp Nests

These pests are aggressive and will sting to defend their nests. Those with allergies to wasp venom can suffer severe reactions if stung. In order to avoid wasps, following basic prevention practices can help:

• Keep picnic foods covered at all times.
• Verify that all garbage lids are tightly sealed.
• Inspect places around yards and homes where wasps might live early in the season to catch nests as they start to form.

Wasp Nest Removal & Control

It is common to discover nests unexpectedly when doing yard work like mowing the lawn or cleaning gutters. Although it may be tempting to try do-it-yourself control methods, wasp nest removal is best left to professionals. While many home remedies for wasp nests put homeowners in danger, the pest experts at Orkin Canada have the proper equipment and training for safe and effective wasp nest removal.

Wasp Removal

How We Get Rid of Cicada Killers

Identification and Biology

• Known for their large size, cicada killer wasps burrow in lawns and make extremely loud buzzing noises.
• Cicada killer wasps prefer to create nests in soil that is sandy, bare, and well-drained. Inside the burrows, the adult wasps deliver cicadas for the larval stages to feed off of.
• Cicada killer wasps are equipped with stingers and can unleash a powerful sting when bothered, but they typically ignore people.
• Larvae overwinter in the soil and pupation occurs in the spring.
• Adult cicada killer wasps emerge in the summer months and females begin to feed, mate, and dig burrows.
• Their burrows are easily detected by observing a regular U-shaped mound at the entrance. Additionally, piles of excess soil will remain.
• Inside the burrows, each cell contains a single egg and one to three cicadas.
• One generation occurs each year.

Inspection

We look for burrows and mounds of dirt that indicate the nest site. These are commonly found in areas of sparse vegetation, well drained soil, and full exposure to sunlight such as:

• Next to side walks and patio slabs
• Planters & flower beds
• Driveways & hill areas
• Window boxes
• Golf course sand traps

Think Green Prevention

• Applying lime and fertilizer, accompanied by frequent watering will promote thick growth of turf, which acts as a cicada killer deterrent.
• If the pests are infesting an area that can be tilled, it’s advisable to do so at the end of summer and again in the spring.
• Any bare areas should be seeded to further deter infestation.

How do I get rid of wasps around my home?

To reduce wasps around your home, focus on removing the food and nesting conditions that attract them, preventing access to your home, and addressing any active nests safely. If wasps are repeatedly entering and leaving the same location, there may be an established nest that requires professional treatment.

Here are some practical steps that can help make your property less attractive to wasps:

• Keep garbage tightly sealed. Use trash containers with tight-fitting lids and, where possible, keep garbage bins away from entrances and frequently used outdoor areas.
• Remove food sources. Keep outdoor food covered or sealed, particularly during barbecues, picnics and outdoor gatherings.
• Clean up spills and crumbs promptly. Sweet foods, fruit juices and sugary drinks can attract foraging wasps.
• Keep recycling containers clean and closed. Residue from food and beverages can attract wasps.
• Reduce other insect activity. Many wasps prey on insects and spiders, so conditions that support these pests can also provide a food source for wasps.
• Reduce potential nesting sites. Trim bushes, shrubs, trees and vegetation around the property where wasps may find protected nesting locations.
• Seal potential entry points. Repair cracks and gaps around windows, doors, soffits, vents and other exterior openings that could provide access to protected areas or wall voids.

Repair damaged screens. Window and door screens can help prevent wasps from entering the home.

How can I prevent wasps from nesting around my home?

The best way to help prevent wasps from nesting around your home is to reduce potential nesting sites, seal entry points, and eliminate the food sources that attract them. Regularly inspecting your property can also help you identify Wasp activity before a colony becomes well established.

Here are some practical steps Orkin Canada recommends:

• Seal potential entry points. Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks, gaps and openings around windows, doors, soffits, vents and other areas that could provide access to protected nesting locations. Never seal an active wasp nest into a structure, this can cause wasps to enter the interior in large numbers.
• Repair screens and seals. Keep window and door screens in good condition and make sure vents are properly screened.
• Trim trees, bushes and shrubs. Overgrown vegetation can provide protected nesting locations, so keeping landscaping maintained can reduce potential nesting sites.
• Keep garbage securely covered. Use containers with tight-fitting lids, prevent them from overflowing and clean up garbage or litter around the property.
• Reduce outdoor food sources. Keep food in sealed containers and promptly clean up crumbs, spills and leftover food after outdoor meals or when feeding pets.
• Keep recycling containers clean. Rinse containers and bins to remove sugary residue from juice and soft drinks that can attract foraging wasps.
• Address potential ground-nesting locations. Orkin Canada recommends filling abandoned rodent holes in lawns, which can provide potential nesting sites for some wasps.
• Inspect your property regularly. Watch for Wasp activity around eaves, wall voids, window ledges, soffits and landscaping, particularly during the warmer months.

Habitat, Diet, and Life Cycle

Habitat

Wasp nests vary in shape, size and location depending on the species. Paper Wasps: Nests are constructed of paper-like material obtained by chewing and gluing plant material together. The nests are single layered, comb-like with no definable enclosure and consisting of 150 to 300 cells. The nests are stalked, attached to an object by a long stalks or stems called pedicel. Typical places where paper wasps attach their nests include fences, tree branches, twigs of trees and shrubs, eaves, door and window frames, exterior joists and soffits. Yellow Jackets and Hornets: Nests are also constructed of plant materials; however, they are multi-layered and consisting of five to nine combs with a total of 1,500 to 3,500 cells. The nests can either be exposed or protected in a paper envelope. Some yellow jack nests are the size of a soccer ball. Nests are typically found in hollow trees, wall voids, inside structures such as sheds, garages, and attics, and in trees and brushes. Some hornets and yellow jackets nest in ground. Ground nests are located typically in areas clear of vegetation. Mud daubers are solitary wasps. As the name suggests, mud daubers construct nests out of mud. A typical mud dauber nest is about 20-25 mm long. Such nests are generally plastered side by side forming a cluster of up to 100 to 120mm wide. Mud daubers like to build nests in sheltered sites, such as protected building structure and walls.

Diet

Most wasps primarily feed on nectar, fruit juices, or honey dew from plants. However, the most common wasp pests we encounter are primarily scavengers or carnivores that prey on other insects. Wasps are beneficial because of their predatory behaviour, which helps control insect pests in agricultural crops and gardens. The scavenger behaviour also draws wasps to human environments or activities where food is present, which makes the insects nuisance pests.

Life Cycle/Reproduction

Wasps undergo complete metamorphosis before becoming adults. The full process takes approximately six weeks. After eggs hatch, the new larvae feed on insects brought in by stinging female workers for a few weeks. Larvae then enter the pupal stage, a cocoon-like period where immatures transform into adult wasps over several more weeks. The queen typically only produces workers at the beginning of the season, and the workers care for the young as the queen continues to lay eggs.

Wasp colonies reach peak numbers during the late summer and early fall. A reproductive generation of males and females is produced around that time of year. Males die shortly after mating, with the rest of the colony dying off as temperatures drop. Fertilized females, or queens, overwinter and lay eggs in the spring to begin new colonies. Female wasps often hibernate in areas of the house with less traffic such as attics, barns, garages, or other accessible storage spaces.

Why do I have wasps?

More than 500 species of wasps live in Canada, and most are social creatures that live in colonies ranging from half a dozen to 15,000 members. The most common pest wasps are hornets, yellow jackets, paper wasps, and mud daubers.

Paper wasps build single-layered nests from masticated plant matter and attach it to fences, branches, twigs, eaves, door and window frames, exterior joists and soffits. The nest may be exposed or protected in a paper envelope and will house up to 300 paper wasps.

Yellow jackets and hornets also build nests from masticated plant matter but these are multi-layered and located in hollow trees, wall voids, inside structures such as sheds, garages, and attics, in trees and brushes, or on the ground. These nests will house up to 3,500 yellow jackets.

Mud daubers are solitary wasps and build nests from mud in sheltered areas like protected building structures and walls. Such nests are generally plastered side by side forming a cluster of nests more than a metre wide.

Most wasps primarily feed on nectar, fruit juices, or honeydew from plants, but the most common wasps are scavengers, preying on insects and human food. Wasps are typically attracted by food, beverages, and garbage.

Female wasps often hibernate in attics, barns, garages, or other accessible storage spaces.

Are wasps dangerous?

Yes, wasps can be dangerous, particularly when they feel threatened or when their nest is disturbed. Wasps can sting multiple times, and some species—especially yellow jackets—can be highly defensive when protecting their nests.

The level of risk depends on the wasp species, the location of the nest, and whether anyone nearby is sensitive or allergic to wasp venom.

Some of the main risks associated with wasps include:

• Multiple stings: Unlike honey bees, wasps can sting more than once.
• Defensive behaviour: Wasps may aggressively defend their nest if they perceive a threat. Yellow jackets are among the more aggressive stinging insects and may pursue perceived threats away from the nest.
• Pain and swelling: A typical wasp sting can cause pain, redness, itching and swelling around the sting site.
• Allergic reactions: For people who are allergic to wasp venom, a sting can trigger a severe allergic reaction, including potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.
• Risk from nests near people: A nest near a doorway, deck, yard or other frequently used area can increase the likelihood of people or pets accidentally disturbing the colony.

How do I know if I have a wasp nest on my property?

One of the clearest signs of a wasp nest is repeated wasp activity in the same area. If you regularly see wasps around your property, particularly wasps consistently flying into and out of the same hole, gap or sheltered location, there may be a nest nearby. Wasp nests are not always visible and can be hidden inside or around structures.

Depending on the species, look for wasp activity around:

• Roof eaves and soffits
• Wall voids and other structural openings
• Sheds, garages and attics
• Door and window frames
• Trees, shrubs and branches
• Fences, decks and other sheltered structures
• Holes or cavities in the ground

Why are there so many wasps around my house?

If you are seeing a lot of wasps around your house, your property may be providing them with food, water, suitable nesting areas, or access to an established nest nearby. Increased activity can also be seasonal, as wasp colonies grow and reach their largest numbers in late summer and early fall.

Some of the most common things that can attract wasps around a home include:

• Garbage and food waste, especially garbage containers that aren’t tightly sealed
• Sweet foods and drinks, including fruit juices and other sugary substances
• Outdoor meals, spills and crumbs
• Other insects and spiders, which many wasps hunt for food
• Trees, shrubs and bushes that provide protected nesting locations
• Holes and existing ground burrows that can provide nesting sites
• Wall voids, soffits and structural gaps that provide protected areas for nesting

Sheds, garages and attics, which can also provide sheltered locations

Why do wasps become more aggressive in late summer?

Wasps often seem more aggressive in late summer because their colonies are at or near their largest size, food needs and foraging activity increase, and wasps become more noticeable around people as they search for sugary foods and drinks. This is why Wasp encounters around homes, patios, garbage areas and outdoor meals can become much more common later in the season.

Several factors contribute to increased Wasp activity in late summer:

• Colonies are larger. Wasp colonies develop throughout the warmer months and can contain large numbers of workers by late summer. More workers naturally mean more Wasp activity around the nest and surrounding property.
• Wasps are actively searching for food. Adult wasps are attracted to sugary substances, including fruit, sweet drinks and other foods people commonly have outdoors during summer.
• They become more noticeable around people. Garbage, food waste, outdoor meals and sugary drinks can attract foraging wasps, increasing the likelihood of close encounters.
• They continue to defend their nests. Social wasps can respond aggressively when they believe their colony or nest is threatened. With a larger late-season colony, disturbing or approaching an active nest can result in encounters with multiple wasps.

Can wasps sting more than once?

Yes. Wasps can sting more than once. Unlike honey bees, which typically leave their barbed stinger behind after stinging, wasps have a smoother stinger that allows them to sting repeatedly. This means a single wasp may deliver multiple stings, particularly if it feels threatened or is defending its nest.

The risk of multiple stings can increase when:

• A wasp nest is disturbed. Social wasps may aggressively defend their colony when they perceive a threat.
• You are close to an active nest. Wasps entering and leaving a nest may respond defensively if the area is disturbed.
• Multiple wasps are present. Disturbing a colony can result in attacks from more than one wasp, increasing the potential number of stings.
• Yellow jackets are involved. Orkin Canada identifies yellow jackets as aggressive defenders of their colonies, and they are capable of repeatedly stinging when threatened.

How do I get rid of a wasp nest?

The safest and most effective way to get rid of an active wasp nest is to have it professionally identified and treated. Orkin Canada advises homeowners not to attempt to treat or remove a nest themselves because disturbing a colony can cause wasps to become defensive, creating the risk of multiple stings.

Professional wasp nest control typically involves three steps:

• Inspection and identification: An Orkin Pro inspects the property to identify the wasp species, locate the nest—including hidden nests—and assess the risks around the home. Correct identification is important because different wasp species have different nesting habits.
• Targeted treatment: Treatment depends on the type and location of the nest. Exposed wasp or hornet nests may be treated directly with a targeted aerosol or foam treatment. Nests located underground or inside structural voids may require a residual liquid or dust treatment applied directly into the nest.
• Nest removal when appropriate: After the colony has been controlled, the physical nest may be removed in some situations, where accessible.

Can I remove a wasp nest myself?

Orkin Canada recommends that you do not attempt to treat or remove an active wasp nest yourself. Disturbing a nest can cause the colony to become defensive, potentially exposing you to multiple stings. Wasps can sting repeatedly, and people who are allergic to wasp venom may experience serious reactions.

DIY Wasp nest removal can be particularly risky because:

• Wasps defend their nests. Disturbing an active colony can provoke numerous wasps to respond at once.
• Wasps can sting multiple times. Unlike honey bees, wasps can deliver repeated stings, increasing the risk when dealing with an active colony.
• The nest may be larger than it appears. What you can see may not represent the full extent of the colony, particularly when the nest is concealed.
• Nests can be difficult to access safely. Wasps may nest in wall voids, eaves, attics, trees, sheds or underground, making some nests difficult and dangerous to approach.

Different wasps require different approaches. Correctly identifying the species and nesting location is important when determining how the infestation should be treated.

Should I remove a wasp nest or leave it alone?

If the wasp nest is active and located on or around your home, especially near areas used by people or pets, it should be professionally assessed and, when appropriate, treated or removed. Leaving an active nest untreated can allow the colony to grow and increase the risk of encounters and stings.

Whether a nest needs to be physically removed depends on several factors:

• Is the nest active? An active nest can contain a growing colony of wasps that may defend the nest if disturbed.
• Where is the nest located? Nests near doorways, decks, yards or other frequently used areas can create a greater risk to people and pets.
• Is the nest exposed or hidden? Wasps may nest in walls, eaves, attics and underground, making some nests difficult and potentially dangerous to approach.
• What species of wasp is present? Different wasp species have different nesting habits and levels of defensive behavior, so proper identification is important when determining the appropriate approach.

When is wasp season in Canada?

Wasp season in Canada generally runs from spring through fall, with Wasp populations reaching their peak during late summer and early fall. Activity begins in spring when overwintering queens emerge and establish new colonies, increases throughout the summer as colonies grow, and declines when colder temperatures arrive.

Wasp activity changes throughout the season:

• Spring: Fertilized queens that survived the winter emerge from protected overwintering locations and begin establishing new nests and laying eggs.
• Early summer: The first workers mature and begin helping expand the nest, gather food and care for developing young. As the colony grows, Wasp activity becomes increasingly noticeable around homes and yards.
• Late summer and early fall: Wasp colonies reach their peak numbers during this period. With larger colonies and more workers searching outside the nest for food, homeowners may notice considerably more Wasp activity around patios, garbage containers, outdoor meals and other food sources.

Late fall and winter: As temperatures drop, most of the colony dies. Fertilized queens survive by overwintering in protected locations and emerge the following spring to begin new colonies.

Do wasps return to the same nest every year?

Generally, no. Most social wasps do not return to and reuse the same nest year after year. In Canada, Wasp colonies are typically seasonal. When cold weather arrives, most members of the colony die, while fertilized queens survive the winter in protected locations and emerge in spring to establish new colonies.

The Wasp lifecycle generally works like this:

• Spring: An overwintering queen emerges and searches for a suitable location to establish a new nest.
• Summer: Workers are produced and the colony grows, with the nest becoming larger as the season progresses.
• Late summer and early fall: The colony reaches its peak population and produces new queens and males.
• Late fall and winter: Most of the colony dies as temperatures fall. Fertilized queens leave to find protected places where they can overwinter before beginning new colonies the following spring.

How much does professional wasp nest removal or wasp control cost?

Orkin Canada’s professional wasp control typically costs between $200 and $300. The exact cost can vary depending on the specific Wasp problem, including factors such as the type of wasp, the location and accessibility of the nest, and the treatment required.

What attracts wasps to my house or yard?

Wasps are primarily attracted to properties that provide easy access to food and suitable places to build nests. Around homes and yards, common attractants include sugary foods and drinks, garbage, ripe fruit, other insects and protected nesting locations.

Some of the most common Wasp attractants include:

• Sugary foods and drinks: Adult wasps feed on sugary substances such as nectar, honeydew, fruit juices and sweet human foods. Soft drinks and other sugary beverages can be particularly attractive to foraging wasps.
• Garbage and food waste: Open or overflowing garbage containers can provide wasps with readily available food. Human food waste is one of the major reasons wasps gather around homes, picnic areas and other outdoor spaces.
• Outdoor meals and spills: Food left uncovered and spills from sweet beverages can attract wasps to patios, decks and other outdoor areas.
• Ripe fruit and fruit trees: Wasps may feed on fruit juices and ripe fruit, making fruit-bearing trees and fallen fruit potential attractants around the yard.
• Other insects and spiders: Many wasps are predators. Properties with abundant insects and spiders can provide an additional food source for wasps and their developing young.
• Trees, shrubs and bushes: Protected vegetation can provide suitable locations for Wasp nests. Keeping foliage maintained can help reduce potential nesting sites around the property.
• Existing holes and burrows: Some wasps use pre-existing rodent burrows and other ground cavities for nesting. Bare or sandy soil can also provide suitable conditions for certain ground-nesting wasps.
• Protected areas of your home: Wall voids, attics, soffits and other sheltered structural areas can provide suitable nesting or overwintering locations.

How can I tell the difference between a wasp, hornet, yellow jacket, and bee?

The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at body shape, hair, size, colour and behaviour. Bees generally have rounder, fuzzier bodies, while wasps, yellow jackets and hornets tend to have smoother bodies with more defined waists. Yellow jackets and hornets are actually types of wasps.

Bees: Bees typically have rounder, more robust bodies covered with noticeable hair. This fuzzy appearance helps them collect pollen. Bees are important pollinators and are generally less likely to sting unless they or their nest are threatened.

Wasps: Wasps generally have slender, smooth bodies with a noticeably narrow or “pinched” waist and much less hair than bees. Depending on the species, they may have yellow, black, red or brown markings. Many wasps prey on other insects, although adults may also be attracted to sugary foods and drinks.

Yellow jackets: Yellow jackets are a type of wasp. They typically have distinct black-and-yellow markings, relatively compact bodies and a defined waist. In Canada, several yellow jacket species can nest in or around structures, while others may establish nests underground or in protected cavities. Yellow jackets can become defensive when their nest is disturbed.

Hornets: Hornets are also part of the wasp group and are generally larger and more robust than many other wasps. Their appearance varies by species. For example, the bald-faced hornet commonly found in Canada is black and white rather than black and yellow—and despite its name, it is technically a type of aerial yellow jacket.