Mouse Management Inc.

This time of year (late summer into early fall), it’s really common to see wasps everywhere — and it usually feels like they’re extra aggressive. A few reasons why:

Food sources shift: In spring and early summer, wasps feed mostly on protein (insects, caterpillars, etc.) to raise their larvae. By late summer, the queen stops laying eggs, so the workers no longer have hungry larvae to feed. Instead, the adult wasps start seeking sugary foods for themselves — fruit, nectar, soda, picnic food, garbage, etc. That’s why they suddenly seem obsessed with your drink or plate.
Colony breakdown: A wasp colony only lasts one season (except for new queens that hibernate). By the end of summer, the colony is weakening, food is scarce, and the wasps are more frantic and less organized. That stress makes them seem more aggressive and erratic.
Population peak: Right now, the wasp population is at its largest of the year. The thousands of workers raised all season are out and about before the colony collapses in the fall.
Warmth and activity: Hot, sunny days keep them active longer, so they’re more noticeable around people.
Basically: more wasps + fewer natural food sources + a craving for sugar = lots of them buzzing around us this time of year.

When our customer asks if we can treat a wasp nest way up in the trees. Of course we can…go go gadget arms!