At this time of year, you may notice more stinging insects around patios, outdoor meals, garbage cans, gardens, grills, and other areas where people spend time outside. Unfortunately, their increased activity isn’t just a nuisance—it can make enjoying your yard or eating outdoors more difficult and increase the risk of painful stings.
So, why are stinging insects such a problem now?
Throughout spring and early summer, colonies steadily grow as queens establish nests and workers raise young and gather food. By late summer, yellowjackets continue feeding their developing young protein from other insects, while adult workers rely more heavily on carbohydrates for energy.
The weather may also play a role in increased yellowjacket activity. A wet spring followed by a hot summer can create favorable conditions for mosquitoes and other insects that yellowjackets feed on. As those populations increase, yellowjackets have more food available to support growing colonies.
But as summer winds down, natural food sources can become harder to find. Flower nectar becomes less abundant, while colonies still need food and energy. Workers need carbohydrates for energy, and they may increasingly turn to sugary drinks, fruit, outdoor meals, garbage, and other human food sources.
At the same time, the colony is preparing for its next generation of queens, which will eventually leave the nest and overwinter. Protecting the colony and its resources becomes increasingly important. In other words, they’re focused on taking care of their colony—and they’ll aggressively defend it when they perceive a threat.
Why is outdoor eating a problem now?
One of the biggest frustrations with yellowjackets is their attraction to the foods and drinks people enjoy outdoors. As natural food sources become scarce, yellowjackets may be drawn to grilled meats, sweets, fruit, soda, sugary drinks, and food scraps. That’s why you may suddenly find them buzzing around your picnic table, patio, grill, garbage cans, or outdoor dining area.
A relaxing backyard barbecue can quickly become a battle against buzzing insects. Swatting at a yellowjacket near your food or face can cause it to become defensive, increasing the chance of a sting. Unlike honey bees, wasps and yellowjackets do not leave their stingers behind, so they can sting repeatedly. Thus, a single encounter can result in multiple stings.
Where do yellowjackets nest?
If yellowjackets are constantly buzzing around your outdoor space, especially near the same location, there’s likely a nest nearby. Yellowjacket nests are often hidden from view and are commonly found underground in abandoned rodent holes, beneath landscaping materials, inside wall voids, or under structures with an overhang.
What should I do if I find a nest?
Don’t disturb an active nest yourself.Knocking down, spraying, or trying to remove a nest can cause the colony to become highly defensive, sending numerous insects out to protect it. This can greatly increase the risk of multiple stings, especially when the nest is near areas where people frequently gather. If the nest is elevated and requires a ladder to reach, there’s also an increased risk of falling and injury.
Instead, contact a professional pest control company. A trained technician can safely identify the stinging insect, locate the nest, and determine the appropriate treatment approach.
Northern Pest can help identify and address stinging insect problems so you can get back to enjoying your outdoor space with fewer unwanted visitors. Contact us today for help.
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Northern Pest is dedicated to protecting Michigan families like our own. We are licensed and insured to provide professional insect and wildlife pest control services. Our experienced team has the expertise to identify wildlife entry points, safely remove nuisance pests, and help prevent future infestations. As a proud member of the MDAT and the NWCOA, we are committed to providing safe, effective, and reliable pest management solutions. Whether you’re dealing with insects, rodents, or nuisance wildlife, Northern Pest is your trusted full-service pest control partner.
Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.