There are very few people who can say, “Oh, yay! There is a bee flying around me!” Stinging insects are not just a nuisance, their sting can cause pain and for some people even health issues, so when it comes to these pests, most people just want them to stay as far away from them as possible. While we tend to think of summer as the time that we have to protect ourselves from flying insects, fall is actually one of the most active times of the year for these stingers. We are going to review if stinging insects are more aggressive in the fall.
Most Common Stinging Insects in Ohio
Before we review if stinging insects are more aggressive in the fall or not, we wanted to provide a brief reminder as to just what stinging insects you may see around your Ohio or SE Michigan home or business.
There are a lot of stinging insects out there, but the three most common for us in Ohio and Michigan are:
- Bees: Bees have a pair of large compound eyes which cover much of the surface of the head. Only female bees have stingers, and although all female bees can sting, they only do so when threatened. In general, bees, aren’t aggressive and only sting in self-defense and typically only sting once.
- Wasps: Wasps can repeatedly sting, unlike some other stinging insects, because their stinger is not barbed. Wasps make up an enormously diverse array of insects, with some 30,000 identified species. We are most familiar with those that are wrapped in bright warning colors, which buzz angrily about in groups, and threaten us with painful stings; however, most wasps are actually solitary, non-stinging varieties. In general, like bees, wasps aren’t aggressive and only sting in self-defense.
- Hornets: Hornets are the largest of the eusocial wasps, and are similar in appearance to their close relatives, yellow jackets. Some species can reach up to 5.5 cm (2.2 in) in length. They are distinguished from other vespine wasps by the relatively large top margin of the head. Hornets are often considered pests, as they aggressively guard their nesting sites, and when threatened, their stings can be more dangerous than those of bees and wasps.
Are Stinging Insects More Aggressive in the Fall?
Now that you have a better idea of those buzzing pesky critters you don’t want to have bother you, let’s get down to it. Are stinging insects more aggressive in the fall? Should we still be worried about them when the weather turns cooler?
You will likely notice more of these stinging critters during the late summer and early fall. This is because there are usually a larger number of them, and their colonies are well established. This means there are less food sources in the hive, so they are all out looking for food to survive and prepare for the winter months. The increased number of them, and need for food to live, can make them more protective of their hive and more aggressive.
The aggression of stinging insects in the late summer and fall corresponds directly to their life cycle. As we said, when there are more of them, there is less food, so they go in search of it for now, and for the future months. Since human foods and smells are attractive to stinging insects, this can make them more aggressive towards you.
Avoid the Stingers this Fall
Since stinging insects are more aggressive in the fall, if you are like most of us and want to avoid a sting, you should limit wearing scents that are sweet or floral, and try not to wear something that is extremely strong, as that can draw them in as well. If wearing sunscreen, opt for one that isn’t scented. If you eat outdoors be sure to clean up immediately and remove any trash or food spills. Make sure your trash is tightly sealed and away from the area where you and your family are.
If you find your home or business extra attractive to stinging insects this fall, you should hire a pest control company to help.
At Delving Pest Control, we are experts at preventing and eliminating pests like spiders, roaches, bees, wasps, moths, flies, ants, fleas, roaches, and more. Delving Pest Control offers local affordable revolutionary pest control solutions right to your doorstep! Pressure-free! We provide interior, exterior discreet and private pest control services for both residential and commercial properties.
Don’t get stung this fall. Contact us today.
