According to a government study, fall is the most popular season of the year. It’s a time when nature
seems to catch its breath after pushing hard to grow during the long, hot days of summer. Early fall in
particular is a time that people go outside to enjoy working and playing in more moderate temperatures.
With summer’s end and winter waiting in the wings, many DIYers use this season to complete home
maintenance projects. These activities can bring them into direct contact with hornets and wasps that
often live near structures.
Both types of insects can become more aggressive during the fall as they approach the end of their lifecycle. They are driven to prepare nests to ensure survival of the next generation. Because they’re cold-blooded, they seek warm places such as structures. Wasps may build on an exterior wall out of the wind, or even be attracted indoors.
Diminished food supplies also factor into their behavior. Both wasps and hornets are pollinators, but as
plants produce fewer blooms, they become more desperate for nutrition and will attack anything (or
anyone) perceived as a threat.
More than 100,000 species of wasps have been identified, far more than we can consider here.
Fortunately, they fall into one of two main categories: social wasps, and solitary wasps.
Social wasps build nests and live in colonies that can contain thousands of individuals. Hornets and
yellowjackets are examples of social wasps.
Solitary wasps live alone. Some build small nests in the ground or in natural crevices. Others get their
nests from other insects. Parasitoid wasps lay their eggs in the bodies of “host” insects, while
cleptoparasitic wasps steal nests to use as their own.
Dealing with wasps and hornets requires balance. On one hand, they can be an important part of plant
development. On the other, they may pose a serious threat to people, especially those allergic to insect
stings.
As trained professionals, we’re able to control these pests in a contained manner. Call or text us at (405)
679-8729 to learn more about how we can help solve your wasp, hornet, or other pest problem!
