Wasps on the Rise in Calgary: A Summer of Stinging Troubles

If you’ve noticed more wasps than usual buzzing around your picnic site or in your backyard this August, you’re not alone. As summer comes to a close, the population of adult wasps in Calgary is on the rise, leading to more calls to exterminators and an increase in the number of pest control products being sold at local hardware stores.

Manny Aulakh, a pest control technician in Calgary and Edmonton for the last three years, said he’s never fielded as many calls about wasps as he has this year. The Ultra Pest Control employee said the pesky insects have been worse in Edmonton, but noted that he receives about 10 calls a day related to wasp control in Calgary, compared to just a few calls a day last year.

Wasp colonies tend to proliferate in late summer, by which point insects that were born during the spring have reached their peak size, according to a blog post on EnviroPest.com. As wasp colonies grow, it leads to more competition for food, which can make the insects more aggressive and defensive — increasing the likelihood of humans suffering one of their painful stings. “This is the time of year when stinging insects are focused on gathering food to sustain their growing populations,” the post states.

Customer services representatives with the Home Depot and Canadian Tire locations along Macleod Trail both confirmed to Postmedia on Wednesday that their store has been selling more insect repellent and pest control products than usual, as Calgarians take matters into their own hands to exterminate wasps from their properties.

A Surge in Calls for Pest Control Services

Lincoln Poulin, the president of Poulin’s Pest Control, confirmed the late summer is typically when calls related to wasp nest removals tend to increase for his company. While his family-run business is based in Winnipeg, Poulin said his company has a Calgary branch and that his exterminators in this city are easily fielding 10 to 15 calls per day to remove a wasp nest.

Depending on weather conditions, he said the proliferation in wasps can begin in July but that it typically takes until August before the nests have become bigger and more obvious to people. “August long weekend is when it starts,” he said. “That’s when we get the increase in wasp calls.

“What happens in August is they know they have roughly a month — maybe at best two months — (left), so they’re wanting to get the nest to survive for the queens. So they’re scavenging for food, and like anything, getting more aggressive.”

Wildfire Smoke and Wasp Migration

Aulakh speculates the wasp colonies have migrated east from the mountains toward the two larger cities to escape wildfire smoke. “This year, we’re getting too many calls as compared to last year,” he said. “This is a huge increase in the number of wasps. Let’s hope that next year, we will get less wildfires and they won’t relocate from the forests to residential areas.”

When called to exterminate a troublesome wasp nest, Aulakh said that depending on the situation, he will usually don a protective suit and then use a certified pesticide with special chemicals that only licensed pest control companies are able to buy. “We kill the wasps first and then we remove the wasp nest to make sure they don’t come back,” he said.

The Stinging Truth: Are Wasps Harmful?

Even though wasps are more of a nuisance than a legitimate health threat, Aulakh pointed out their stings can be serious or even life threatening to those who suffer an anaphylactic response. Another reason to exterminate them, he added, is because unlike honeybees, wasps aren’t as beneficial for the ecosystem. “I know they’re a pollinator, but sometimes they get aggressive,” he said.

While wasps can be a nuisance, it is important to remember that they are also important pollinators and play a role in controlling other insect populations. However, if you are concerned about a wasp nest near your home, it is best to contact a professional pest control company to safely remove it.

The Buzz on Wasp Behavior

Experts believe that the increase in wasp activity in Calgary could be a combination of factors. As the summer progresses, wasp colonies expand, and their population increases. This often leads to greater competition for food and resources, resulting in more aggressive and defensive behavior. In addition, the presence of wildfires can displace wasp colonies, driving them towards urban areas in search of new habitat.

Wasps: A Necessary Evil?

While wasps can be a nuisance, they do play a vital role in the ecosystem. They help to control populations of other insects, such as caterpillars and flies. However, their stings can be painful and dangerous for some people. If you have a wasp nest on your property, it is best to contact a professional pest control company to safely remove it. By understanding the factors contributing to their increased activity, we can better prepare for the potential challenges of living with wasps during the late summer months.