In summer, it’s not uncommon to have a sudden problem with aggressive ‘bees.’ They steal food off your plate while you’re dining alfresco and attack anyone working or playing in the yard, inflicting painful stings.
But it’s not bees causing the havoc. Rather, it’s yellow jacket wasps.
Yellow jacket wasps are yellow and black in colour, like a bee. However, they have smooth bodies, while bee bodies are fuzzy.
Their behaviour differs, too. Bees are solely focused on collecting pollen and nectar from flowering plants. Yellow jackets want protein and sweets for their growing brood, and they have no problem taking chunks of it off your plate, from windfall fruit or from food scraps in the garbage bin. They even will dive into your soda or beer can, making it possible to swallow them by mistake.
Yellow jacket wasps will forcefully defend their nest, which often is located in a hollow void. They might nest in the wall of a house, gaining access through a hole or crack. They can nest in the hollow tubes of patio furniture. Or in the hollow ground alongside an old tree stump cut flush to the lawn.
By late summer, a yellow jacket nest may contain up to 5,000 workers. Accidently disturb the nest and you are under attack.
A homeowner recently shared this story with PestHQ: “My son was mowing the lawn at the house of my neighbour, who’s away on holiday. As he was pushing the mower, he unknowingly mowed over a wasp nest in the ground. Within seconds, he was being attacked and got stung five times. Thankfully, he wasn’t allergic! And what if my neighbour’s two little dogs had disturbed the nest? That could have been an expensive vet bill.”
Set traps as soon as you notice wasps
Yellow jacket wasps are most aggressive in mid to late August. That’s when the wasp population reaches its peak, and also when you’re spending more time outdoors enjoying the weather.
As soon as you notice the pests, take action to reduce wasp-people and wasp-pet encounters.
The easiest way to do this is by setting up yellow jacket traps in your yard. Traps are shaped like jars. They use an attractant to lure the yellow jackets inside. Once inside, the wasps cannot escape and die.
You may need to set up more than one trap, depending on the size and arrangement of your yard.
The experts at Pest HQ, Ontario’s leading source of DIY pest control products, recommend the professional-grade TERRO® Yellow Jacket Trap for best results.
This trap does not contain chemical insecticides. It is easy to use – just add the supplied bait, fill the trap with warm water and gently mix. Hang the trap on a tree branch or stake where it is calm and sunny, about 25 feet from activity areas like the patio, pool deck or swing set.
The decorative pattern on the trap hides dead insects from view, so it is a good idea to inspect traps every few days. When full, you can empty the trap and re-bait it.
In addition to yellow jackets, the trap also attracts and kills nuisance flies.
More ways to prevent yellow jacket encounters
In addition to traps, you can take additional steps to discourage aggressive wasps and hornets in your yard.
Simple yard upkeep makes your property less attractive to yellow jackets. This includes storing garbage and recycling in sealed bins and picking up fruit that has fallen under trees.
You also can locate and treat the wasp nest with a nature-based aerosol spray or foam. Learn more strategies to get rid of wasps.
PestHQ sells a discounted product bundle to control the pests. Order items online to ship fast or pick up at 7 Meridian Road, Etobicoke.
Read more:
Wasps are making outdoor dining impossible!
Five types of wasps common in Canada and how to control them
