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August 09, 2022
As the end of summer approaches, you might assume yellow jackets and wasp activity will calm down but unfortunately that is not the case. In fact, rather than slowing down wasps in Auburn, Portland, and throughout our Maine service area will seemingly shift gears and become even more of a nuisance at BBQs and other outdoor activities. In today’s blog post, we’ll explain why this change in behavior occurs, how it affects property owners, and what can be down to preventing stinging insects from causing issues.
The timeline of wasp activity in Maine
It happens every spring once the weather warms up enough, wasps emerge from their overwintering sites to establish new nests. Over the summer, each queen focuses on her reproduction efforts so much so that by late in the season, nests are filled to brim. Around the same time that there are a lot more mouths to feed, wasps’ natural food sources start to run out. The end result, we see more wasps crashing our get togethers and the potential for encounters of the stinging kind increase.
Health risks associated with wasps in Maine
Wasps are capable of stinging multiple times and will do so if they feel threatened or presume their nest is in danger. Since wasp stings can be painful and have potential life-threatening symptoms including anaphylaxis, it is best to avoid encounters with them and to keep away from nests as well.
You might find wasp nests inside
Although wasps often nest in trees, in eaves, on porch overhangs, on or in electrical boxes, in the ground, and other protected areas around homes and properties, they may also create nests indoors too.
Yellow jackets, paper wasps, and baldfaced hornets (yes, they are wasps and not true hornets) take advantage of any opening on the outside of homes, camps, and other structures. An opening near a vent, a hole in the roof, a loose piece of siding they can crawl behind are all ways wasps can get inside and once they’re in, they could be right behind the entrance or they could be several feet away. Attics, wall voids, and drop ceilings are just a few of the spots property owners have found wasp nests. As you can imagine, not only does this create a risk to human health, the structure itself could become damaged.
How to prevent wasp activity
While it’s difficult to completely prevent wasps from stopping by, you can make your property less appealing to these stinging pests by:
- Removing ripe and/or rotten fruit that has dropped off trees
- Repairing any holes on the exterior
- Covering windows with screens
- Keeping entry and garage doors closed when not in use
- Sealing gaps around vents and utility entrances
- Storing trash in covered containers
- Bringing pet food indoors
When hosting a party by the pool, in the backyard, or “upta camp”, make sure you keep food and beverages covered, toss empties right away, and pick up crumbs and food debris.
What to do if you find wasps or a nest close to your home and/or family
If you discover a wasp nest attached to your home or in a place close to where your family hangs out, we recommend contacting a pest control company for help. Attempting to dislodge the nest on your own can be risky and leave you covered in stings.
How Pine State gets rid of wasps
When it comes to getting rid of wasps in, our locally owned and operated pest control company has the knowledge, equipment, and experience to remove wasps and wasp nests from homes and businesses.
In fact, when you sign up for one of our home pest control plans, we’ll not only take care of wasp activity and wasp nests that are below 20 feet, we’ll keep ants, spiders, mice, and other common household pests out all year-long! Check out our plans below or simply give us a call to discuss your pest problem(s).
*initial start-up fees may apply.
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