Wasps

There are many differences between wasps and bees. Wasps are less hairy and slimmer than bees, and their stripes are more distinct, often a bright yellow. The other significant difference is that wasps are more much likely to attack humans. Unlike bees, which can sting only once and then die, wasps can be repeat offenders, if they so choose. And unlike mosquitoes, wasps do not feed on human blood. If they sting, it is only in self-defence.

The main reason wasps come and go is to find food. They consume sugary foods such as nectar and honeydew, a substance produced by aphids and other insects. Wasps also feed on ripe fruit and berries as well as meat. They help themselves to sources of food in recycling bins and garbage cans.

Sizes and shapes of wasp nests

There exist various types of wasps. They can be distinguished by the size and location of their nest. There are three main types of wasp nest in Quebec:

• The smallest is about the size of a hand and looks like an umbrella. It houses 15 to 200 paper wasps (genus Polistes), which are not particularly quick to sting.

• The hidden nest, underground or in a dark place, home to much nastier wasps: yellow jackets, or Vespula.

• The largest nest, with room for up to 5,000 wasps. Common sites are roof overhangs, porches and trees. It may contain yellow jackets but also hornets (Dolichovespula), which are not very aggressive. 

• When eating outdoors, keep food in covered containers, and quickly put table scraps in a closable garbage bin.

• Avoid funnel-shaped wasp traps. Even if you put them far from your table, the bait they contain will quickly attract the entire neighbourhood’s wasps!

• Wash your recycling bin regularly and, above all, rinse wine, juice or soft drink bottles that could attract wasps. Place them well away from high-traffic areas, especially where children play.

• If a wasp is buzzing around you or lands on you, avoid any sudden move. Push it away gently, because it may turn angry if it feels it’s being attacked. Also, a crushed wasp sets off a chemical alarm that calls in fellow wasps as back-ups.

• Avoid going near a wasp nest without good reason, especially late in the summer.

If you find a nest in an area where it poses no risk, leave it where it is until it has been abandoned, usually by November or December. Then remove it and put it in the garbage or in a compost heap. But if the nest does pose a threat, call in a pest management professional. CAA-Quebec Residential Advisory Services can recommend a reliable business. For all other cases, here are some useful tips for getting rid of a wasp nest:

• First, put on a sweater and long pants and, ideally, a net covering your head.

• Act promptly after discovering the nest, because it will get bigger during the summer.

• Wait until dusk, when the wasps are all back in the nest. If lightning is needed, choose a minimum-intensity source equipped with a red filter over the bulb to avoid attracting waps.

• Enclose the nest completely in a plastic bag, detach the nest from its location, and seal the bag immediately. Strengthen the bag by inserting it into a second bag and then plunge the bags into a bucket of water. Finally, pierce small holes in the bags to drown the wasps.

While they may appear effective in the viral videos widely shared on social media in summer, CAA-Quebec advises against the use of gasoline traps, as they pose a health and safety hazard. Here’s why:  

1. Gasoline is a highly flammable product that emits toxic fumes. Improper use increases the risk of both fire and serious injury. 

2. The use of a plastic cup or glass jar is not suitable for this purpose. Gasoline must always be carried and stored in an approved container or tank designed for this purpose (usually 20 litres or less). The risk of leakage or spillage may well lead to a fire … perhaps even an explosion in the presence of an ignition source.

3. If the wasps feel threatened, they may strike and sting you while you’re handling the gasoline. On top of the stings inflicted, you’re also likely to spill gasoline (which is, we remind you, a highly flammable product). 

Conclusion: gasoline traps are a no-go! 

SPACE FOR LIFE

Wasp and bee stings