Pest Library | Insect Control | Wasp Control

All About Wasps: Pest Library

February 7, 2022 by

Well, the wasps are out again. Swinging and swatting at them will only get you stung, so read on to learn a little more about wasps, how to prevent them from making your home their home, and what to do if you are finding wasps a problem. And remember, we’re always here to help if you are in any major city in Alberta.

All About Wasps

Wasps: Description

More than 500 wasp species are found throughout Canada. Most wasps are social
species that live in multi-member colonies, and they number from fewer than 10 individuals up
to 15,000. Among these, nuisance wasps include hornets, yellow jackets, paper wasps,
and mud daubers.

All About Wasps

Wasps range from 13 to 40 mm in length, are yellow, white, black, or reddish in colour,
and have three pairs of legs and two pairs of thin, transparent wings. Different wasp
species bear characteristic markings. Unlike most bees, wasps are generally hairless.
The body of a wasp is composed of three distinct parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.

A common sign of wasp infestation is the wasp nest. These may be found in or around
homes or other structures. Different wasp species have different nest-building locations. Paper wasps create aerial nests, which can be found hanging from trees, under roof
eaves, and from decking, arbours, and gazebos.

In contrast, most yellow jackets create underground nests, utilizing former rodent burrows or cavities beneath rocks and
shrubs. Wasps are aggressive and will readily defend their nests by stinging any
perceived threats. Individuals with allergies to wasp venom may experience debilitating
and potentially life-threatening reactions if stung.

To prevent wasps’ try these methods:

  • When eating outdoors, keep food items covered at all times.
  • Keep garbage cans tightly sealed.
  • Regularly inspect the home and yard to detect newly created nests early.
  • Seal cracks and crevices, which may be wasps’ potential point of entry.
  • Repair cracks in the perimeters of windows and doors. Caulk cracks along the wall or baseboard voids.
  • Limit potential food sources. Inspect exterior trim and lighting fixtures.
  • Keep window screens in good repair. Wasps may use an opening of more than 6 mm to gain entry into a structure.
  • Control populations of flies, ants, and spiders in and around the home.
  • Promptly clean up food crumbs and spilled liquids.
  • Store garbage bins more than 15 meters away from the home or the site of outdoor activities.
  • Trim vegetation away from the exterior of structures. Discard old wasp nests that are no longer in use.

Different wasp species construct nests that range in shape, size, and location. In the
case of paper wasps, nests are constructed using a thin, paper-like material that is
created when the wasps chew plant materials and glue them back together.

The nests of paper wasps consist of 150 to 300 cells arranged in a single layer that is comb-like, and the nests have stalks or stems called pedicel. Paper wasps typically attach their nests to fences, tree branches, roof eaves, frames of doors and windows, and exterior trim.

Like paper wasps, the nests of yellow jackets and hornets are constructed of plant
materials. These nests are comprised of 1,500 to 3,500 cells arranged in several layers,
consisting of five to nine combs. They may be enclosed in a paper envelope or non-enveloped.

Some yellow jacket nests can be quite large and similar in size to a soccer ball. Hornets and yellow jackets commonly create nests in hollow trees, wall voids, and the interior of outbuildings. Whereas other nests may be located underground in areas
free of vegetation.

Unlike other social wasp species, mud daubers are a solitary wasp species. Mud daubers’ name is derived from the nests they construct from mud. These nests are around 20 to 25 mm long and are constructed next to one another to form clusters up to 120 mm wide. Mud daubers prefer sheltered areas for nesting sites, such as exterior trim and outbuildings.

Wasps feed on plant materials such as nectar, fruit juices, or honeydew. The most
common wasp pests in Canada are primarily scavengers or carnivores that specialize in feeding on other insects.

As such, wasps play a beneficial role due to their predation of insect pests in gardens and crop fields. The scavenging behaviour of wasps contributes to their interest in human environments and activities where food is located and makes wasps common household nuisance pest insects.

As wasps develop from eggs into adults, their bodies are transformed by the process of
metamorphosis, a process that takes around six weeks for most wasp species. For the
first weeks after the eggs hatch, wasp larvae emerge to feed on dead insects provided
to the larvae by stinging female workers.

Next, larvae enter the pupae stage, during which they transform into adult wasps over the course of a few more weeks. The queen generally produces workers only at the beginning of the warm season, and those workers will then care for larvae while the queen lays more eggs.

The largest population of a wasp colony occurs during late summer to early fall. At this time, the colony produces a reproductive generation of males and females. Shortly after mating, males die, while the remainder of the colony dies off over subsequent weeks as temperatures decrease.

Queens (fertilized females) overwinter and, when spring arrives, will lay the
eggs that begin a new colony for that season. Queens prefer to hibernate in low-traffic
areas of homes and structures, such as attics, outbuildings, or other storage spaces
they can access.

You can also read: Wasp Removal Edmonton

WASPS – Frequently Asked Questions & Concerns

Wasps are commonly attracted to homes and properties due to accessible food sources and improperly managed garbage. During colder months, overwintering wasp queens often seek shelter in low-traffic areas such as attics, sheds, garages, and storage spaces.
Outdoors and wasps may nest in old animal burrows, wall voids, sandy soil, abandoned vehicles, or tree cavities near the home. Identifying and eliminating these potential nesting sites is key to effective wasp control and prevention.

Wasps play a beneficial role because they prey on pest insects that can damage agricultural crops or gardens. When provoked, wasps can deliver multiple stings, which could potentially result in deadly anaphylactic shock in allergic individuals who do not receive prompt treatment. Because wasps are extremely territorial and can be dangerous and aggressive, the removal of wasp nests should be completed by a trusted and reputable pest control company, like Major Pest Control.

Are you looking for help with wasps? We’re here to help.

We’re happy to help where we can. Contact us for a quote on wasp control, and remember, we guarantee your satisfaction with our pest control services, or they are 100% free.

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