Category: Missouri

Getting Rid of Summer Stingers

Throughout the fall and winter months, you rarely encounter these stinging pests.  Even on the sunniest and warmest winter days, you won’t see these insects.  There are two reasons why you don’t come in contact with wasps, bees, and hornets throughout the late fall and into early spring.  The first reason is due to the nesting habits of these stinging insects.  From early October till as late as April, wasps, hornets, and bees are laying dormant and preparing to breed underground.  Second, all three of these insects pollinate plants.  They all rely on either insects that come out during the summer months or sugary nectars that are only available during the summer months.  This is also why these insects lay dormant in the winter.

Of course, like these summer stingers, we humans tend to lay dormant during the winter only to emerge in the summer months.  Unfortunately, while we sit outside in our backyards or in a park, these stinging pests are right there with us.

Wasps and hornets tend to be aggressive with some species of hornets stinging without reason.  Bees tend to sting less than wasps or hornets, however, if bees construct a hive near your house or backyard, there’s a high chance that you’ll come in contact with a few bees over the summer months.

Unlike most summer pests, you can’t prevent wasps, hornets, or bees from nesting near your home, business, or backyard.  There really aren’t any effective preventional steps that can be taken.  There are a few, none of which involve pesticides or chemicals.  In the spring, it’s important to make sure dormant wasp and hornets nests are destroyed as some species will return to their old nests.  Additionally, noting possibly problematic areas of your home or business, including hidden corners and shaded regions, will allow you to treat an infestation quicker.

Wasps and hornets are very aggressive and have been known to swarm people when threatened.  If you locate an infestation or nest, it’s best to contact an exterminator in your area to remove the nest and treat the infestation.  However, there are some products that allow you to remove nests on your own.  These products will typically come in a spray can with a nozzle that allows the chemical spray to reach up to ten feet.  These bottles allow you to keep your distance from a nest or hive.

Note that wasps and hornets are most active in late summer.  This is the time in which wasps and hornets stop breeding.  With fewer worker wasps and hornets to get sugary nectars and insects for the rest of the hive or nest, more wasps and hornets leave the nest to search for food.  If you see an increase in wasps or hornets in your backyard, at work, or in a local park, it’s wise to keep a safe distance from these pets but also note their locations and travel patterns if possible.  Noting the direction from which wasps and hornets fly might allow an exterminator to locate the nest. Pest control companies in St. Louis are trained to help with any situation that may occur.

Enjoy your summer and make sure to stay clear of those nasty summer stingers!

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