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Spring is the season that brings a lot of pest activity back to Middle Tennessee. Some pests stay active all winter, but many rest during the cold months. They start moving again when it warms up. It’s not unusual to have ants, mosquitoes, and other pests start showing up in droves around your yard when spring arrives.
Wasp activity may not be obvious in spring, but it’s the best time to prevent future issues. All-American Pest Control has the tips you need to prepare for wasps this spring.
What month are wasps most aggressive?
Wasps tend to be most aggressive in late summer and early fall. This is due to the nest having had time to grow throughout the warmer months and to the dwindling supply of food available to them. As their food sources decline, they become more protective of their nests and more aggressive in defending their food supplies.
If you’d like to avoid aggressive wasps this summer and fall, spring is the time to start preventing them. Each fall when the weather gets cooler and their food sources dry up, most wasps in a colony die. Only the queens survive by finding a sheltered area and going into a dormant state called diapause for the winter.
When spring arrives, the queens come out of diapause and begin looking for a new place to build a nest and lay eggs. Spring is the ideal time to take steps that can stop a wasp infestation on your Tennessee property later in the year. Avoiding queen wasps from nesting on your property this spring can prevent a big infestation in the summer.
What attracts wasps the most?
A queen looks for many of the same things as other wasps when choosing a spot for her hive. These factors guide their lives during the summer. Food sources, water sources, and nesting sites are all paramount to a wasp colony’s survival.
Food Sources
Food sources for wasps are surprisingly varied. Like other stinging insects, they enjoy sweets, especially nectar and honeydew that can be found on plants and flowers. They’ll also eat sweets from your sugary drinks left outdoors.
Wasp larvae love proteins from insects and spiders. They also eat other meats and sometimes munch on carrion.
Flowers, food left outdoors, and accessible garbage cans are all things that will attract wasps to your property.
Water Sources
Just like every living creature, wasps need water to survive. If the queen can’t find a decent water source around your property, she is unlikely to build her nest on your property. Wasps that come around in the summer won’t stay long if they can’t find water.
Wasps are mostly drawn to standing water, such as puddles, clogged gutters, and bird baths. However, they can also find water in other places. A drippy faucet, leaking pipe, or overgrown vegetation that allows moisture to build up underneath can all attract wasps.
Nesting Areas
When queens begin their search for a home each spring, they start by looking for a good nesting area. Wasps like to build their nests in areas that are dry and protected from the elements. Many wasps build their nests high off the ground, but some build them lower or even underground.
Common areas where wasps build nests include:
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Under eaves
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In wall voids
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On tree branches
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In tree cavities
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Along roof overhangs
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Under porches
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On or in sheds or garages
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In attics
Tips on Preparing for Wasps in Spring
The best way to keep wasps off your property this summer is to take action in the spring to remove attractants from your property. By eliminating food and water sources, and removing as many nesting sites as possible, you can make it less likely that a queen wasp will choose your property for her nest.
These simple wasp prevention tips are a great way to avoid wasps this spring and summer:
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Regularly inspect your home for early signs of nests
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Keep outdoor garbage cans tightly sealed
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Remove outdoor food sources, like pet food, bird seed, and any crumbs from meals eaten outdoors
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Seal entry points around your home, such as cracks in your siding and gaps around your windows, to prevent wasps from nesting inside
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Eliminate water sources and excess moisture around your property
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Maintain your landscaping by trimming branches and overgrowth
Can wasps sting through clothes?
The main reason you don’t want wasps on your property is because of their ability to sting. For most people, a wasp sting is a painful and unpleasant experience. For some, it can be life-threatening. Regardless of your reaction to wasp stings, you want to avoid them.
In the summer, most people have plenty of exposed skin for wasps to sting. Wasps can still sting through clothing. So, wearing pants and long sleeves doesn’t guarantee your safety. However, thicker layers do provide more protection.
If you want to avoid wasp stings, it helps to avoid wearing brightly colored clothing. You’ll also want to avoid wearing strong scents. For the most part, wasps are less aggressive than we think. If you stay calm when a wasp is nearby and don’t make big movements, you are likely to avoid getting stung.
What is the best way to get rid of wasps in the spring?
Although baiting wasps may eliminate a few of the wasps you’ve been dealing with around your property, we do not recommend this practice. The problem with using wasp bait is that it will attract more wasps. The best way to protect you and your family from wasps is ongoing, year-round pest control. Our technicians know about wasps and their behavior. We have the right pest control plan for your home, the equipment and skills to remove these pests from your backyard without causing harm.
Contact All-American to Get Rid of Wasps
Even with precautions, a queen wasp can sometimes slip by and build a nest on your property. If you see a wasp nest on your property or notice many wasps in your yard, call All-American Pest Control for our wasp control services.
Trying to get rid of a wasp nest on your own is dangerous, but we're here to help! Whether you’ve discovered wasps in the spring, summer, or fall, All-American is a call or text away. Our trusted local experts are here when you need us.
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Spring Hill, Summertown, Williamsport, Culleoka, Hampshire, Santa Fe, Ashwood, Bigbyville, Campbells Station, Fly, Fountain Heights, Hopewell, Pleasant Grove, Sawdust, Scotts Mill, Screamer, Silver Creek, and the surrounding areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or schedule a free home evaluation online.