The question on every Montrealer’s mind: why are there so many wasps right now?
While the end of summer brings fall colours and so many of our favourite autumn activities, it’s also peak wasp season.
According to CTV News, exterminators in Montreal are seeing a surge in wasp-related calls at the end of summer.
Late summer marks the height of wasp season, and according to the report, calls to exterminators are pouring in with a marked rise in requests to remove bald-faced hornets.
In some Montreal neighbourhoods, what would normally mean one or two nests can now reach as many as 50.
According to Espace Pour La Vie Montréal, the surge has more to do with the insect life cycle than with an actual population boom.
Warm weather accelerates the development of colonies, and combined with the city’s abundance of food waste which provides nourishment for larvae, these conditions allow colonies to grow larger than usual.
Once temperatures begin to drop, wasp activity slows and the population dies off with the first frost.
Only new queens make it through the winter, finding shelter wherever they can — in the ground, under tree bark, or other hidden spots.
When spring arrives, each young queen starts from scratch, building a nest on her own while laying eggs, hunting, and raising larvae.
As summer unfolds, the colony’s adult population grows at an accelerating pace. By late summer, the number of wasps is dramatically higher than it was in the spring, creating the impression of a sudden explosion in their numbers.
How to avoid wasp encounters?
For Montrealers eager to avoid run-ins with wasps, prevention can make a difference. Food should be stored in closed containers during outdoor meals, bottles should be rinsed before disposal, and garbage bins should be both sealed and cleaned regularly.
If wasps are nearby, they should be brushed away gently, as sudden movements only increase the risk of stings.
Wasps build large paper nests that expand quickly into massive colonies. It's important to note that nests are not only hanging in plain sight but can also be concealed inside walls.
Both can be dangerous, since wasps are notoriously aggressive and able to sting multiple times. Eliminating a nest typically involves pumping in chemicals, a process that can stretch out over several days.
What smell do wasps hate?
According to experts, mint is a natural repellent for wasps and hornets. Its strong scent keeps them at bay, whether you grow it in your garden or place pots around your home. As a bonus, mint also helps deter other common pests.
The smell of peppermint oil is another deterrent. Soak a cotton ball with the oil and leave it in areas where wasps or hornets tend to gather.
You can also mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and apply it around your home. Cinnamon and cloves work in a similar way and can be just as effective.
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