Spring is here and with it comes beneficial and not-so-beneficial insects. You want ladybugs on your foliage because they eat harmful pests such as aphids; you don’t want to attract wasps in your yard, as they can harm your family and pets. What attracts wasps in the first place? Contractor’s Best Pest Solution says the following five things invite these aggressive stingers into your space.
Refuge
They may not act like it but wasps need safe spaces, too. They look for places where they can nest safely away from the elements and predators. Cavities, cracks, and crevices in your home’s exterior or your trees offer the perfect nesting place for wasps, especially if the tree is dead and easy to burrow into. This is why many wasps build their nests in walls. It’s the perfect safe space from the outside.
Food
Wasps feed off garden insects just like ladybugs do, so it’s best to keep the insect population to a minimum in your outdoor spaces. Specifically, wasps love to eat grubs and larvae in your garden soil. Some wasps prefer a particular diet, such as cicada wasps. They eat cicada eggs. If you have plenty of edible bugs in your yard, wasps will move in, especially if they can find refuge as discussed above.
Meat
Wait a minute… what? Meat? Wasps also like leftovers, which is why you’ll see them flying over uncovered garbage cans. Although they know nothing about the Keto diet, they thrive on protein and are happy to feed off the meat scraps you toss in your trash. They also love to join the family’s barbecue, which can make for a miserable time. What’s attracting them to your outdoor patio? The grill.
Sweets
Ants and flies aren’t the only insects attracted to sugar. Nearly all insects love sugar and wasps are no exception. Although they prefer protein over anything else, when the weather turns cold, many wasps will turn to sweets instead. Things such as fallen fruit that wasn’t picked during the summer and empty soda cans and fruit juice bottles in the garbage are perfect for the wasp fall and winter diet.
Flowers
Getting back to spring, however, your flowers are blooming in the garden and they’re beautiful. Yes, you want the bees to pollinate but wasps will try to lend a helping hand, too. Wasps aren’t just attracted to the flower’s nectar; they can also smell them. That’s right. Wasps have noses, if you will, and they are attracted to blooming flower scents just like the rest of us are, so watch for wasps around your blooms.
Contractor’s Best Pest Solutions in Buford, GA, would be happy to prevent wasps from settling in your yard. Call us to set up an appointment.
