All About Wasps In Edmonton
Here’s what you need to know to identify wasps, understand their behavior, and deal with them safely. And how and why Major Pest Control does wasp removal in Edmonton right.
Wasp Control Tips and Advice From The Wasp Control Blog
What Are Wasp
While more than 75,000 species of wasps exist, only a small subset are considered dangerous due to their venomous stings. Wasps are especially problematic when they invade recreational areas such as picnic tables and pavilions.
Generally, wasps live in colonies with a queen as the leader. They are known to attack beehives, preying on worker bees and stealing honey, larvae, and immature bees.
Different species of wasps have different appearances, but all wasps have a feature in common. These include a long, thin body shape, cylindrical legs, a narrow waist, a pair of wings, tiny hairs covering its body, and a shiny appearance. A few of the most common types of wasps in Alberta are yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets, and paper wasps.
Why Do I Have Wasps In Edmonton?
Overwintering queens may seek out low-traffic areas of homes and structures, such as attics, outbuildings, or other storage spaces. Previously used animal burrows outside the home can provide suitable nesting sites and may therefore attract wasps to the property.
Additionally, wasps may nest in bare or sandy soils, within wall voids, in abandoned vehicles, or in tree cavities found near the home around the property. They may build their nest in any spot around your home or property. They usually get in through small access points around the property.
What Attracts Wasps To Your Edmonton Home?
Wasps are attracted to human environments and activities primarily because of food or garbage. Wasps tend to be attracted to scents. Some wasps may even swarm you due to the scent of your cologne. Areas with smaller insects will also attract wasps! Wasps will tend to eat insects and arachnids. So having another pest problem could lead to a wasp infestation!
How To Prevent Wasps In Edmonton
No one wants insect pests, so it’s best to prevent them before you have to get them removed. We have put a small numbered list of ways we recommend to prevent wasps from entering and around your property:
- Remove all sources of food around your porch and property, including rotting fruit and berries.
- Keep your doors and windows shut. Make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed so the wasps cannot slip through.
- Regularly check for nests being built to stop the problem before it gets out of hand.
- Seal your garbage cans and compost. If they can’t access some of the food they enjoy, they are less likely to nest nearby.
- Pick up your trash. Make sure there is no garbage on your property.
Where Do Wasps Live In Edmonton, And Why?
Where do wasps live in Edmonton, and why?
Paper wasps build in eaves, fence rails, and shed corners because those spots are sheltered and easy to anchor a nest to. Yellowjackets usually go underground, into old rodent burrows, gaps under decks, or holes in siding, since a hollow cavity gives their nest structure and protection with less exposure. Both prefer sites close to food and water sources, which is why yards with gardens, fruit trees, or open garbage tend to attract them first.
Video On Removing Wasps In Edmonton
What types of wasps are most common in Edmonton?
Yellowjackets and paper wasps are the two you’ll run into most. Bald-faced hornets, technically a type of wasp, also show up in trees and under eaves.
When does wasp season start in Edmonton?
Queens emerge from hibernation in April once daytime temperatures remain above roughly 10°C, then spend May building the first worker generation.
What month are wasps worst in Edmonton?
August and September. Colonies are at full size, and once the queen stops laying, workers switch from hunting protein to chasing sugar, making them far more likely to bother you at a patio or barbecue.
Why do wasps get more aggressive in the fall?
The colony’s job is done for the season, so workers stop foraging for the nest and start looking for quick energy for themselves. With no larvae left to feed, they’re hungrier, more erratic, and quicker to sting.
Do wasps die over winter in Edmonton?
Yes, almost all of them. The first hard frost kills the workers, drones, and the original queen. Only newly mated queens survive, tucked into attics, wood piles, or wall cavities until spring.
Where do wasps usually nest around Edmonton homes?
Paper wasps favor eaves, fence rails, and shed corners. Yellowjackets often go underground, under a deck, in an old rodent burrow, or beneath a shed floor, which is why their nests are easy to miss until someone steps too close.
Do wasps reuse the same nest every year?
No. A nest is abandoned for good once the colony dies off in fall. If you find an old, empty nest, you can remove it without worry, but a new queen may still build nearby the following spring.
What attracts wasps to a yard?
Exposed food and drinks, ripe or fallen fruit, open garbage, and pet food left outside. Sugary spills draw them fastest once August hits.
How can I stop wasps from nesting on my property?
Seal gaps larger than about 6mm around siding, vents, and eaves before May, keep garbage bins sealed, and knock down any golf ball-sized starter nests you spot early in spring.
Is it safe to remove a wasp nest myself?
Only for small, easily reached nests, and only with proper protective gear. Nests larger than a basketball, ones inside walls or chimneys, or any situation involving someone with a wasp allergy call for a professional.
What should I do if I get stung?
Wash the site, apply a cold compress, and take an antihistamine if needed. Multiple stings, swelling beyond the sting site, or trouble breathing need immediate medical attention.
When should I call a pest control company instead of handling it myself?
As soon as a nest is bigger than a basketball, hidden inside a structure, or a household member has a known allergy. Spring removal of a small nest is far cheaper and safer than dealing with a mature summer colony.
How much does professional wasp removal cost in Edmonton?
It depends on nest size and location, but early-spring jobs on small starter nests cost noticeably less than removing a fully grown colony in July or August.
How much does wasp control cost with Major Pest Control?
Wasp management starts at $250–$350 and covers nest removal plus a residual spray or dusting treatment. The exact price depends on your location and how many nests need treatment.
How Much Does Professional Wasp Control Cost?
Wasp control is something people always dread because they think it costs an arm and a leg when, in reality, it isn’t bad at all! Our experts on-site will give you a detailed inspection and quote. Usually, for a wasp removal in Edmonton, it will cost around $300 – $1,000 depending on the severity and size of the wasp nest.
Where Can You Find Wasps In Edmonton?
Fences 
Deck Overhangs 
High Areas 
Tree Branches