With summertime upon us, more people are spending more time outside. We humans aren’t the only ones who are being more active though. Wasps and other stinging insects are out and about more as well. You don’t have to go far to find them either. There are plenty of places around your home where you might encounter wasps.

Did you know that some wasps build their nests underground? That may sound a bit disconcerting to hear, given a wasp’s ability to sting repeatedly. Combine this with the fact that underground nests can land our feet uncomfortably close to them, and some concern may be warranted. There is an upside to this though. Wasps underground often eat other insects that can be troublesome for homeowners. Naturally, you should avoid stepping on their nests, as this can provoke the wasps to attack.

Houses have a ton of overhanging areas. Eves, porch ceilings, and other overhanging spaces can be prime nest locations for some wasps. If it’s a sturdy horizontal surface, it could support a wasp nest. Corners are especially prime wasp real estate, given the added measure of shelter they offer for the nest. Given the height of many of these types of locations, getting rid of wasp nests found under overhangs on your home can be especially tricky.

Summertime is the time for barbecues and grilling. Be careful about opening up your barbecue or grill for the first time, however. These appliances have a ton of small nooks and crannies, and plenty of entry points. There is ample space in which wasps can build nests. They offer even more shelter than the corner of an overhang, which can make them especially enticing locations. Keeping your grill or barbecue covered with a tarp can prevent them from making themselves at home in this outdoor cooking appliance. If yours is playing host to wasps, you may want to get some professional help with removing them.

Wasps can be especially troublesome pests. While they don’t tend to be aggressive towards humans while they are out and about, they can be very protective of their nests. Unfortunately, some of their favorite places to build nests can be very close to your home. If you’re having trouble with wasps around your home, give Proterra Pest Control a call so we can deal with them for you.

Some people use the term “wasp” and “hornet” interchangeably, but there is a difference. Click here to learn about the differences between the two from your Proterra Pest Control specialists.