There are over 500 species of wasps in Canada, and most are social insects that live in large colonies. The most common types of wasps encountered across the country are yellow jackets, hornets and paper wasps.

Wasps build nests out of plant matter that they chew and mold into various structures and chambers. Yellow jackets and hornets can live in nests made up of thousands of individuals. They most often build their nests in tree hollows, attics, wall voids, sheds and garages and this is where wasp net removal comes into place.

Paper wasps build simpler nests that are attached to existing structures, such as tree branches, joists, soffits, eaves and window frames. These nests can be exposed or encased in a layer of paper-like plant matter.

All wasps will build their nest close to a food source. This can be anything from a garden to exposed trash containers to an accessible kitchen or food preparation area.

Wasp workers (females) and drones (males) can live anywhere from 12 to 25 days, while queens can live up to a year based on our years of experience in wasp control

Wasp nests are organized in a way which is very similar to bees. One queen lays all the eggs, and workers tend to them throughout their incubation period. Male drones breed with the fertile females and can produce queens that go on found their own colony.

Wasp queens are able to hibernate during the winter. They can survive the colder months hidden in attics, garages and other storage spaces. When the weather warms up in the spring, they emerge and seek out a suitable location to build a new nest.

Wasps are primarily attracted to sweet foods. They are attracted by smell, and can sometimes swarm on someone wearing strong perfume as a result. They are most interested in rotting fruit, since it is both a source of nectar and insect larvae which they prey on.

Gardens with fruits and vegetables and areas with high concentrations of fruit trees are prime targets for wasps. Based on wasp nest removal professionals, wasps are also scavengers, which means they will be attracted to garbage bins, compost heaps and anywhere other insects are present in large numbers.

In order to prevent wasps from nesting in or around your home, you need to focus on two things: denying them food and shelter.

Seal all cracks, crevices and openings around doors, windows and vents. Check your eaves, soffits, and outdoor light fixtures. Ensure that there are no entry points into attics, wall voids and sheds they can get through.

Reduce their potential food sources by sealing containers, cleaning spills and storing garbage away from your home in tightly sealed bins. Keep trees and bushes trimmed to make them less hospitable to nest-building.

Finally, remove any old vegetation around your home and garden and ensure that other insect populations, such as ants, are kept in check.

Wasps can be a serious nuisance if they invade your property. They are highly aggressive and territorial, and their stings are painful and can cause health issues in some cases.

If you notice wasps around your property, first try and locate any nests. Often there are several nests present, and they must all be removed to completely eliminate the problem.

Specially formulated wasp sprays can be effective in reducing their population and preventing them from nesting. Simply hosing their nests with water will not be effective.

Approaching or disturbing wasp nests is best left to wasp nest removal professionals. If you do attempt to do so on your own, ensure you are wearing enough protective clothing and that your head is fully covered.

Better yet, call us and we will take the necessary steps to completely and safely remove all wasp nests from your property.