Wasp and hornet season is in full swing. We have now had many calls for nest removals, and have given out handfuls of advice on how to keep your property free and clear of these aggressive pests.

A little bit about wasps and hornets

There are around 30,000 identified wasp species in the world (including hornets) and the majority of those are solitary and not social. It’s important to note that as the more solitary and anti-social a wasp is, the less aggressive and less likely they are to sting you. That said, all wasps are protective creatures and will almost always sting if they are provoked or feel that they are in danger. Social wasps, on the other hand, are aggressive by nature. As colonies of social wasps grow bigger, they tend to be more protective and sting more often either provoked or not.

The 4 main types of wasps in Ontario are:

1. Yellow Jackets
2. Paper Wasps (Umbrella wasps)
3. Bald-Faced Hornets
4. Mud Dauber Wasps

Of these 4 common Ontario wasps, only the Mud Dauber are solitary. Yellow jackets are by far the more aggressive by nature of the 4 common types, and have been known to sting for no reason. Again, all will sting and attack when they feel their nest is under threat.

What Can you Do To Prevent Wasps?

Here are some helpful tips to keep wasps and hornets away:

1. Use fully sealed garbage bins as well as bag your recycling (clear bags) – especially if there is sugary drink cans/wine bottles.
2. Clean your garage and backyard areas regularly from drips and spills that happen while you’re outdoors.
3. When outdoors, cover raw/cooked foods as much as possible.
4. Inspect roof soffit and small crevices that a colony could use as a start for their nest.
5. Use deterrents such as fake wasp nests and hang them in open areas.

If you do have a nest (regardless of how small it is), it is very dangerous to try to remove it yourself. Please contact us to assist you in the removal.