Tag Archives: wasp removal

The Best Ways To Prevent A Wasp Nest On Your Property

Bees, Wasps, And Hornets / June 04, 2024

Table of Contents

Summer is just around the corner and unfortunately, that means wasps are as well. It can be frustrating when you’re trying to relax and enjoy the summer weather and you’re being bombarded by wasps. The presence of wasps are unfortunately inevitable in the summer, however, wasp nests are preventable. Once a wasp nest is fully established, wasp nest removal can be difficult and dangerous. Wasp nest prevention is key so you can avoid possible dangerous situations. In this blog post we uncover where wasps build their nests, how to find a wasp nest on your property, how to maintain your yard to prevent a wasp nest, and what to do if you have a wasp nest in your yard.

Why do Wasps Keep Building Nests Around My House?

Wasps prefer to build their nests in places that are remote and not easily accessible by humans and other possible intruders. If you are constantly finding wasp nests on your property, it may be because you have one of the following ideal spots:

  • Overhangs
  • Under tree branches
  • Inside a shed
  • Under wooden decks
  • Under porches
  • Hollow trees

One trick that may keep wasps away from your property is by setting up a decoy nest somewhere visible on your property.

How to Find a Wasp Nest on Your Property

If you see clusters of wasps close to an entrance of a potential nesting site that could be a sign of a nest. If there are multiple wasps buzzing around, try observing their behavior, and their comings and goings. Some nests are visible but some are hidden in building structures or underground, so always proceed with caution.

Following a wasp or wasps to their nest can be dangerous as wasps are protective of their nests and can become aggressive if they feel threatened. Observe from afar to prevent any painful stings.

Wasp nests come in many different shapes and sizes, if you think there’s a wasp nest in your yard, here are 2 identifiable nests:

  1. Paper wasp nest: Resembles an upside down open umbrella, and the hexagonal cells of the nest are made of paper-like material similar to a hornets nest.
  2. Mud wasp nest: Tubular in design and constructed with dried mud or clay.

If you encounter an excessive amount of wasps in your yard and you see them constantly flying in and out of a hole, that’s most likely a sign that there is a nest in that area.

If you suspect you have a wasp nest in your yard, read How to find a wasp or hornet nest. Once located, don’t get close and call a professional for removal!

Maintain Your Yard to Prevent a Wasp Nest

Once you take care of the obvious wasp nest locations the next step to preventing a wasp nest in your yard is to maintain it throughout the warm months. This would include chores such as pruning your shrubs and trees, and cleaning up any leaves and/or grass clippings. Insects need water to survive just like any other creature, and they will search your yard looking for water. This is why it’s also important to remove standing water from bird baths and rain gutters.

If you’re wondering whether you can still enjoy a nice barbeque in your yard, you can! Here are some tips to keep wasps away while you’re enjoying the summer weather in your yard.

  • Ensure that your food and drink items are not left out longer than they need to be
  • Keep food covered when not being served
  • Don’t leave sugary drinks around once they are finished

There are so many reusable drink containers that will keep your drink cold and also keep wasps out of your drink so you can avoid getting a wasp stuck in your car or accidentally swallowing one.

As you may have noticed, wasps love to hover around garbage cans as they are eagerly waiting to lick any stains that may be on the side. To keep wasps away from your garbage can ensure the garbage can lids are securely closed and are hosed off frequently.

What to do if Wasps Have Already Made a Nest?

    • It is dangerous to even go near an established wasp nest, let alone try to get rid of it yourself. Annoying one wasp or getting too close to a wasp nest can lead to  a whole colony of angry wasps and potential stings.

      There are a lot of methods that people try to get rid of wasp nests that are inaccurate and unsafe. For example, using liquids to drown out a ground nest is ineffective because their tunnels go down lower than expected. The queen will most likely survive this and a nest will be built somewhere else.

      Covering the hole or attempting to vacuum them out will most likely result in a hospital visit than stopping the wasps. The best way to keep wasps away is prevention, but when that fails, Terminix Canada is here to help.

Wasp FAQs:

How do wasps make their nests? 

The queen uses saliva to break down wood fibers until they form a soft paper pulp. She then flies with the pulp in her mouth to the chosen building site to start constructing the nest.

How long does it take to make a wasp nest?

A wasp nest takes about 4-6 months to be fully completed. A nest is usually constructed during the summer months and doesn’t reach its peak size until fall. At that point, the nest is abandoned because only a fertilized queen can survive winter.

Will wasps return to their nest site?

Wasps generally do not return to the same spot every year, but if you have a suitable area to build a wasp nest, they may return to the same area.

What time of day are wasps most active? 

Wasps are most active midday when it’s warmest outside. They are least active between dusk and dawn.

What do wasps eat? 

Most adult wasps only feed on sugars, in the wild, this can come from flower nectar or honeydew. Some wasps capture insects, chop them up and then carry them back to their larvae.

Rentokil Terminix for Wasp Nest Removal

Need to get rid of wasp nests on your property? Rentokil Terminix has you covered! We offer expert pest & wildlife control services for both residential and commercial properties with locations across Canada including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

All of Rentokil Terminix’s pest control experts are fully licensed, certified, and held to the highest professional standards possible. We are part of the National Pest Management Association, Canadian Pest Management Association, QualityPro, and the Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario, among other provinces. We are proud to have provided Canadian homeowners with quality pest control services for over 90 years!

How to Find a Wasp or Hornet Nest

Bees, Wasps, And Hornets / May 22, 2023

Summary: 

  • Wasp vs Hornet 
  • Signs of wasps
  • Wasp nest identification 
  • Where are wasp nests found? 
  • How to get rid of a wasp or hornet nest 

What’s the difference between wasps, hornets and bees?

Hornets – A hornet is a large type of wasp known for its size and aggressive nature.

Wasps – Wasps have sleek and smooth bodies with flashy black and yellow stripes. The most common Canadian wasps include hornets, yellow jackets, mud daubers and paper wasps. 

Bees – There are many different species of bees but generally, they are rounder and fuzzier than wasps, although they share their distinct yellow and black patterning. 


TIP
It’s easy to tell wasps and bees apart, just remember bees are fat and fuzzy and wasps are skinny and smooth.

Signs of a wasp nest 

If you notice a surge in wasp sightings around your home, it is a strong indication that there is a nest nearby. During the summer months, a mature nest can house thousands of wasps. It is best to address the issue early on, when the wasp population is smaller and their aggression levels are lower, to ensure a more manageable and safer resolution.

What do wasp nests look like?

What the nest looks like depends on the species of wasp. In Canada, our most common wasps include hornets, yellow jackets, mud daubers and paper wasps and their nests are described in more detail below. 

Types of wasp nests

Hornets build nests that are covered in a papery outer layer and often located hanging from trees or eves. The wasps create their nest themselves, by chewing wood fibers and mixing them with saliva.

Yellow Jackets also envelop their nests in a papery outer layer, often locating them within wall voids.

Paper wasps build open nests with an exposed honeycomb-like structure. They usually build underneath a surface out into an umbrella shape. 

Mud daubers are a little different from the other Canadian wasps as they build their nests out of mud. These tube-like structures are hard to see from the surface as they are built underground or in old stonework. 

Where are Wasp nests found? 

Different species of wasps prefer to nest in different locations but there are a handful of key locations you should look at when trying to find a wasp nest. 


SAFETY TIP
Be very cautious when searching your property for wasps. Don’t move any leaves or debris around suddenly and wear protective equipment if possible.

  • Trees and shrubs: Many species of wasps build their nests on tree branches, in shrubs, or within tree cavities.
  • Eaves and overhangs: Wasps often construct their nests under eaves, roof overhangs, or in the corners of buildings. These locations provide shelter and protection from the elements.
  • Attics, crawl spaces & wall voids: Some wasp species may build nests in attics, crawl spaces, or other voids within buildings. They may access these areas through small openings or gaps. 
  • Underground burrows: Some wasps such as mud daubers or solitary wasps build their nests in the ground. These nests can be found in abandoned rodent burrows, under rocks, or in other protected areas. 


TIP
To locate a wasp nest pay close attention to the flight paths of returning wasps. You can often follow these paths back to their nest.

Wasp nest

How to get rid of a wasp nest 

Wasps are famous for their dangerous and aggressive defence tactics! If you suspect a wasp nest on your property, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service for safe removal.

If you are only noticing a few wasps it is likely that there is a nest in your neighbourhood but not necessarily on your property. If this is the case, there are steps you can take to dissuade wasps from visiting your home. Check out our article on the topic: How to dine wasp free this summer!


Do you have a wasp problem? Terminix Canada has you covered! We offer expert pest & wildlife control services for both residential and commercial properties with locations across Canada including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Call us today to get rid of your wasp problem for good!

How to Dine Wasp Free this Summer?

Residential Pest Control / August 09, 2022

Canada is home to hundreds of species of wasps that are most active from April through September. Unfortunately, this coincides with perfect patio seasons leaving many homeowners annoyed with these uninvited guests. Read on to discover our best tips on how to dine wasp free this summer!

Summary: 

  • How to identify wasps 
  • Risks wasps pose to your family and home
  • How to prevent wasps 
  • How to treat a wasp nest

What are wasps?

The most common Canadian pest wasps are hornets, yellow jackets and paper wasps, all of which sport distinctive yellow and black patterns on their bodies. They can be easily distinguished from bees, just remember: bees are fat and fuzzy and wasps are skinny and smooth. 

Most wasps are social creatures and live in nests with hundreds or even thousands of individuals, the appearance of such nests changes depending on the species. Some wasps prefer to nest out in the open creating football-shaped hanging nests attached to tree branches, railings or eves. Single-layer nests where the honeycomb shapes are exposed are also common near vents and soffits of the home. Other species prefer to be more secretive and build in protected areas such as tree hollows or wall cavities. 

Tip: Wear shoes when walking in the garden! Some solitary wasps such as mud daubers build their homes in the ground and may attack if provoked.

When are wasps a problem?

Wasps are beneficial to have around as they feed on other smaller insects, however when they get too comfortable near your home they can also pose a great threat. Unlike bees, wasps can sting repeatedly and are especially dangerous to those who are allergic, even proving fatal at times. They are also very territorial, making a nest near your home very hazardous. If there is no nest on your property but wasps are still intruding on your outdoor summer fun try out the tips below to ward off the unwanted guests. 

How to safely remove a wasp nest

Wasp nest removal is very dangerous and it is not recommended that homeowners attempt it themselves. The safest and most effective option is to call in a pest control company. This is not only because of the risks of a wasp attack but also because their nests are often located in hard-to-reach locations sometimes requiring ladders. 

If you do proceed with removing a wasp nest yourself you will need full protective gear, these hard-to-reach locations mean a quick escape is often impossible. As for the treatment, there are two main methods: homemade soapy water or store-bought pesticide spray. Soapy water is a great low-cost option that is effective if the whole nest can be drenched easily, whereas pesticide spray can be more convenient for hard-to-reach locations. Either method should be used around dusk when wasps are the least active and will likely take several days to completely resolve your issue.

How to prevent wasps

Close Holes

Wasps are attracted to safe spaces where they can hide or build a nest. At the beginning of the season clear any clutter on and around your outdoor dining area and close up any holes that you can in the side of your home, shed or deck. 

Avoid Wood

Certain wasps use wood to build their nests and so will return to sources of wood again and again. It’s best to avoid patio furniture and decks made of wood but often that is not a viable option. In these cases, staining or painting wood acts as a good deterrent against wasps and other pesky insects. 

Food 

The number one thing that attracts wasps to your summer BBQ is sweet smells: the caramelizing ribs on the grill, a freshly opened can of soda, the perfume of your guests or the flowers in your garden. Wasps, like many insects, have an extremely keen sense of smell and can pick up on even trace amounts of foods and other odours. After dining make sure to clean up thoroughly, sweep up any fallen food and wash any spills with soap and water.

Pet food can also attract wasps so make sure not to leave pet bowls out on the porch. 

Garbage 

In the same way that food attracts wasps so does the smell of garbage. If possible keep garbage bins away from the patio area, if not make sure to secure them with strong lids to keep the smell in. 

Yard waste can also attract wasps as it rots, so make sure that your yard is clear. 

Grow Wasp Repelling Plants

Flowers and fruit trees are beautiful but give off a sweet smell that not only attracts wasps but also bees and other insects. Instead, decorate with plants that naturally repel wasps such as citronella, spearmint, pennyroyal, thyme, sage, lemongrass, clove or eucalyptus. The oils produced by these plants repel wasps and, as a bonus, many of these plants are delicious herbs that can brighten any summer dish. 

Tip: Wormwood is another effective wasp-repelling plant however can be poisonous in small bodies so is not recommended if there are children or pets around. 

Essential Oils 

Instead of gardening, some of these plant oils can also be bought in stores. Eucalyptus and mint essential oils are commonly sold online and in health food stores. Simply combine some oil and water in a spray bottle and treat areas where you often see wasps. There are also wasp repellants that can be bought from home improvement retailers for the same use. 

Avoid perfume 

Perfumes often give off sweet smells that attract wasps so avoid wearing them when you plan to dine outdoors. This also goes for strongly scented soaps, shampoos or lotions. Instead, try wearing a dab of the above-mentioned oils, which double as a wasp repellant. 

Traps

Wasp traps contain a sweet liquid that lures wasps through a hole that they then cannot leave through. These traps should be placed off to the side of an outdoor dining area so that wasps are attracted to the trap and not your family’s dinner. Wasp traps can be quite effective when placed properly but make sure to keep them out of reach of children and pets. 

If you’re still having issues with wasps in and around your dining area it is possible you have a nest on your property that you are not aware of. A pest control expert will be able to safely locate and remove any wasp nests in and around your home. 

Terminix exterminators use the safest and most effective methods to rid your home of wasps for good. We offer expert pest control services across Canada including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Call us today to learn how we can help.

Flying Insects – The Difference Between Bees, Wasps and Hornets

Bees, Wasps, And Hornets / May 31, 2021

You may think you know, but do you really understand what key factors differentiate the flying insects? What makes a bee a bee, or a wasp a wasp?

If your seven-year-old nephew asked you what’s the difference between these pesky flying insects, would you be able to confidently explain what’s what and look really awesome in his eyes? Or would you have to pull out your smartphone and do some fact checking?

If you’re no longer so sure, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!

First things first, let’s get this out of the way quick:

Hornets are a type of wasp.

Go blow some kid’s mind with that. We’ll wait.

Welcome back. So now the real question is:

What’s the deal with the remaining two types of flying insects: bees and wasps?

To answer this question, we’ll have to perform some tests. Don’t worry, they’re easy.

Flying Insects Appearance Test: Fat And Hairy, Or Skinny And Bald?

Quite simply put, wasps are long, thin and smooth. Bees are round and fuzzy.

This is because wasps are hunters and bees are gatherers. Wasps hunt other bugs for food, so they need to be sleek and aerodynamic to catch their prey. Bees collect pollen, so they need a heftier, hairier body (the hair traps pollen) to help store and transport their precious cargo.

To elaborate even more on their appearance, bees are often 11 to 25 mm long whereas wasps and hornets vary between 12 to 40 mm long. Bees will always be yellow and/or black, but wasps can vary in colouring from black and yellow, to reddish-brown to even white in colour depending on the species.

Flying Insect Personality Test: Friendly Or Mean?

To put it simply, bees are generally friendly whereas wasps tend to be mean.

Bees are gentle and like to keep to themselves. They hang around flowers, filling up on pollen before buzzing over to the next flower.

Wasps are much more aggressive, stalking human gatherings in search of food to eat. Overripe fruit and sugary drinks are their absolute favourite. So if a flying insect that isn’t just a house fly is buzzing around annoying your dinner guests, it’s most likely a wasp.

Flying Insects Homemaking Skill Test: Hive Or Nest?

After a long, hard day of gathering pollen, a bee goes home to a hive made up of hexagonal wax cells made from beeswax secreted from their abdomen. Oftentimes though, you won’t even see the beehive as bees tend to swarm around it. Instead, you’d just see a big flying ball of bees.

Unlike bees, wasps go home to grey-coloured paper-looking nests made up of chewed up wood pulp. If you have a wasp nest in your backyard or anywhere else on your property, you’ll want to call the professionals to take care of it as soon as possible. Wasps can get very territorial protecting their queen and can cause a lot of damage if they decide to swarm you or your guests.

If you ask us, bees are the better housekeepers.

LEARN MORE: THE BEST WAYS TO PREVENT A WASP NEST ON YOUR PROPERTY

Flying Insect Ouch Test: How Many Times Did They Sting Ya?

This is probably the worst way to distinguish a wasp from a bee, as either way it can hurt a whole bunch! But if it stings you once and you find the stinger inside you, it’s a bee. If it stings you a bunch of times, it’s a wasp.

Both bee and wasp stings will show similar symptoms to their victim however, with an initial sharp pain or burning at the sting site. You may also experience residual redness, swelling and itching.

Bee stings can happen, especially if you accidentally touch one while rooting around in your garden, however they don’t mean to sting you. When a bee stings, their stinger is pulled from their abdomen and unfortunately, they die as a result.

Wasps on the other hand feel no remorse. They are able to pull their stinger out of their victim and live to sting another day, or even sting you again right after the first one. On top of this, when stung by a wasp, the wasp actually releases a chemical to alert other nearby wasps. When other wasps detect this chemical, they’ll join the original wasp in a swarm to help attack the enemy (you).

Some neat and not so neat facts, huh? We hope this article will teach you to appreciate the subtle differences between bees, wasps and hornets, but if you don’t, we understand. After all, a pest is a pest. If nothing else, this blog will help you avoid the flying insects that are a little more vengeful than their other insect companions.

Want Flying Insects To Buzz Off For Good? Contact Terminix Canada Today!

Whether it’s bee removal, hornet nest removal, wasp removal or your looking for help identifying the flying insects that are harshing your mellow, Terminix Canada can help. Our pest management services are effective, efficient and affordable. Book a free consultation with us today!

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The Best Ways To Prevent A Wasp Nest On Your Property

Bees, Wasps, And Hornets / May 31, 2021

There is nothing worse than trying to enjoy a beautiful afternoon in the backyard, just to be taken out of your rest and relaxation to swat away buzzing wasps. The problem is, you can’t have summer without having wasps, so to a certain extent you’ll have to learn to live with them. However, you don’t have to learn to live with a wasp nest, and we want to help you prevent wasps from ever deciding that your property makes an ideal spot to nest.

Once wasps have settled into a new colony, wasp nest removal can be very difficult and dangerous if done improperly. Tenacious and dangerous when provoked, it is absolutely not recommended for you to try and remove a wasp nest without the help of pest control experts.

That’s why wasp nest prevention is key.  

Here are some of the best ways to prevent wasps from ruining your summer barbecues, without stirring up a hornet’s nest.

The Best Ways To Prevent Wasps From Building A Wasp Nest

In the fall, a queen wasp goes into hibernation as her workers die off from the cold. When she awakens in the summer, she sets out to build an entirely new nest from scratch. What this means is that you have a wasp prevention grace period in the early summer to find and get rid of prime wasp nest locations before a queen can set up shop.

Common locations for wasp nests are hollow tree trunks, eaves, railings, overhangs and even your child’s play house. There are a variety of natural repellents you can use to keep wasps away from prime nesting locations. Specifically, peppermint or dish soap work well.

One particularly cunning trick to stop wasps from moving in is setting up a commercially available decoy wasp nest somewhere visible on your property. Wasps are highly territorial, but they’ll respect another colony’s territory.

Maintain Your Yard To Prevent A Wasp Nest

Once you take care of the obvious wasp nest locations, you need to think about how to prevent wasps from other people’s properties making their way onto yours. In other words, you have to keep the rest of your yard inhospitable to them. Luckily, that just means doing the yard maintenance you should already be doing anyways.

This includes some of the chores you’d like to put off, but they make a big different in wasp prevention. Things like keeping shrubs and trees pruned and leaves and grass clippings cleaned up. Additionally, the same way birds will flock to your yard looking for water, so will insects. This means you should remove standing water from bird baths and rain gutters.

If you’re wondering what to do about food and drink when hanging out in the backyard, don’t worry. You can still enjoy your sweet libations and barbecues, just don’t leave these items outside longer than they need to be. Keep food covered when not being served. Don’t leave sugary drinks laying out in the sun once they’re done being drunk. There are also many different reusable drink containers on the market that allow you to keep your drinks cold. Additionally, these containers avoid the dreaded wasp stuck in a car or accidentally swallowed.

Due to their sweet tooth (or mandibles), wasps love to hover around garbage. They eagerly await the chance to lick any sweet stains on the side. This means you should always make sure your trash can lids are securely closed and frequently hosed off.

How Not To Prevent Wasps Or Wasp Nests

Once a nest has fully established itself, it becomes extremely dangerous to even go near it. Annoying just one wasp or getting too close to the wasp nest can quickly turn into a whole colony of peeved off wasps which could result in many painful stings.

While there are many myths about how to keep wasps away, they can be inaccurate and unsafe. For instance, using liquids to drown out a ground nest is ineffective. This is because the tunnels go down lower than you would expect. On top of that, chances are the queen will survive and live to nest another day.

Think it’s as easy as covering the hole with a big rock or caulking? Think again. Unless you fully seal the hole at night while the entire colony is inside, you’re just going to end up with swarms of wasps upset and looking for a way back in.

Attempting to vacuum them out is more likely to land you in a hospital ward than stop wasps. The best way to keep wasps away is simply prevention, as discussed above. But when that fails, Terminix Canada is here to help.

For 90 years, Terminix Canada’s bee hive and wasp nest removal services have helped thousands of Canadians keep themselves and their families safe from potentially life-threatening attacks.

We use special insecticidal dust and aerosols to neutralize hives and environmentally-friendly insecticides to make underground wasp nests uninhabitable. Contact us today to make the wasps plaguing you buzz off.

GET BEE, HORNET AND WASP CONTROL RIGHT NOW

Lost And Found: The World’s Biggest Bee

Bees, Wasps, And Hornets / May 31, 2021

The world’s biggest bee, huh? If you’re staring at the title of this blog post and are quivering in your boots, we don’t blame you. The sheer thought of a gigantic bee buzzing anywhere near you or your property is the stuff of sleepless nights!

But if you’re brave enough to continue reading, this Terminix Canada blog features the world’s biggest bee on record. Sure, most bees are small, roundish yellow and black fuzzy things that dance around the plants in your backyard.

Typically, most bees are between 11 and 25 mm long with a wingspan between 11 and 33 mm. However, that’s nothing compared to the behemoth that came to be known as the Wallace’s giant bee (Megachile pluto).

When Was The World’s Biggest Bee First Discovered?

Leading scientist Alfred Russel Wallace first discovered the Wallace’s giant bee in 1858. The bee was found on the tropical island of Bacan in North Moluccas, Indonesia. Wallace described the bee as a large black wasp-like insect, with immense jaws like a stag beetle. After Wallace’s initial discovery, there were no further reports of this gigantic bee for over 100 years.

The Search For The World’s Biggest Bee Begins

After years of fearing that this species would go extinct before any more would be found, Adam Messer, an American biologist, discovered six nests in 1981. He observed them rigorously and recorded some of their behaviours.

This information was vital to the next searches for the Wallace’s giant bee, as scientists now knew to look in termite mounds throughout primary lowland forests. In 2018, an entomologist had collected a single female in 1991. This discovery was never recorded in any scientific journal.

The World’s Biggest Bee Returns

In February 2019, for the first time since 1981, and after many years of searching, a team of scientists and conservationists struck gold. They spotted and photographed a living female Wallace’s giant bee in the forests of North Moluccas in Indonesia.

As long as an adult’s thumb, the female giant bee was four times larger than your average honeybee. It measured in at a colossal 39 mm long with a wingspan of more than 6 cm. Imagine hearing a swarm of these in your backyard. It’d be like a group of tattooed hairy bikers pulling up to a café on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles!

Speaking on discovery of the female Wallace’s giant bee, natural history photographer Clay Bolt was in awe. He said: “It was absolutely breathtaking to see this ‘flying bulldog’ of an insect that we weren’t sure existed anymore, to have real proof right there in front of us in the wild.

“To actually see how beautiful and big the species is in life, to hear the sound of its giant wings thrumming as it flew past my head, was just incredible.”

Get To Know Her

The female Wallace’s giant bee is a black resin bee with very large jaws. These jaws make her look rather terrifying, but don’t worry, she only uses her jaws to collect resin from trees, which she then uses to make termite-proof nests. Her diet consists of nectar and pollen, like the common honeybee.

Are There Any More Wallace’s Giant Bees In Indonesia?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wallace’s giant bee is currently listed as vulnerable to extinction. Nevertheless, there is still hope that we haven’t seen the last Wallace’s giant bee. There is no legal protection regarding trading of Wallace’s giant bee. However, there are efforts to ensure the super rare species doesn’t completely die out.

Robin Moore, a conservation biologist with Global Wildlife Conservation, who runs a programme called The Search for Lost Species, said: “By making the bee a world-famous flagship for conservation, we are confident that the species has a brighter future than if we just let it quietly be collected into oblivion.”

Leave Hornet And Wasp Removal To The Professionals At Terminix Canada

Rest assured, you’ll never find an infestation of Wallace’s giant bees on your property here in Canada. Besides, we wouldn’t dream of exterminating such a rare species. Remember, not all bees are equal. If you’re having troubles with your more average, antagonistic flying insects, Terminix Canada can help.

We use special insecticidal dust and aerosols to neutralize hives and environmentally-friendly insecticides to make underground wasp nests uninhabitable.

Since bee populations are in danger, we often recommend customers contact local beekeepers to safely rehome bees and bee hives. However, in cases where bee hives are located in an area that poses a danger to human safety, especially in cases of allergies, we are able to control the threat and safely remove bees from your property. Contact us today and see your flying insect control problems buzz off for good!

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Need Flying Insect Control? Learn About Colony Collapse Disorder And The Importance Of Bees

Bees, Wasps, And Hornets / May 28, 2021

So you’ve decided you need flying insect control. Not only have you spotted bees, wasps or hornets buzzing around your backyard, but you also have negative childhood associations with them.

Sure, flying insects are undoubtedly one of the most annoying pests around. However, you should also know that bees are incredibly important to the ecosystem. But did you know that a bee’s role is at risk by a disease called Colony Collapse Disorder?

What Is Colony Collapse Disorder?

Colony Collapse Disorder is a mysterious phenomenon where the majority of worker bees will simply abandon their hive and their queen at once. This is an act that goes against all their genetic programming. As of yet, scientists still don’t know the exact reason for Colony Collapse Disorder. Nevertheless, they are examining many possible Colony Collapse Disorder causes and how they interact.

What Are The Effects Of Colony Collapse Disorder In North America?

According to a recent article from the Washington Post, half of our 40 species of bumblebee in North America are in decline. With over 3,600 species of native bees in North America, between 2007 and 2013, an estimated 10 million beehives died due to Colony Collapse Disorder. Over the years, the loss of bees has become so severe that in some regions of North America, farmers have resorted to renting bees in order to pollinate their crops.

What Causes Colony Collapse Disorder?

Firstly, there are numerous possible Colony Collapse Disorder causes. Scientific studies have isolated a number of Colony Collapse Disorder causes that are the most likely culprits.

Many scientists believe that some types of pesticides might be a primary cause of Colony Collapse Disorder. For instance, pesticides like neonicotinoids, which is chemically similar to nicotine. Species like honeybees come into contact with substances like these as they pollinate crops.

Elsewhere, climate change and associated extreme weather have also been cited as likely Colony Collapse Disorder causes in a variety of different ways. Not only does climate change cause plant life to dwindle. Additionally, bees’ foraging patterns are intimately linked to the weather. For instance, bees do not go out in the rain and seek out liquid instead of nectar during extreme heat. As such, prolonged rainy periods or drought conditions might be disturbing their ingrained routines in ways we don’t fully understand.

Ultimately, drought conditions in particular, which have been on the rise in the North America, have been negatively affecting bees’ diets due to the loss of plant life.

The Importance Of Bees Despite Flying Insect Control

Bees are important to our world because:

  • One third of the food we eat on a daily basis is pollinated by honeybees
  • The worth of bee-pollinated crops is around $200 billion yearly worldwide.
  • Bees pollinate 75 per cent of plant species that contribute to human consumption.

All of this is to say, bees are extremely important. Sure, they’re a prime annoyance in summer months like these but they have a crucial role to play.

What Can We Do To Combat Dwindling Bee Populations?

Carefully select your plants in the garden. Bee species that are unfamiliar can still pollinate these plants. This is according to 2018/19 research from Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, United States.

Director of Conservation and Research, Eileen Boyle recruited Sarver to survey their 1,000-acre estate’s native bee populations. Of the 3,493 bees collected, representing 135 species, 15 bee species hadn’t previously been found in the state of Delaware. The overriding conclusion was that if you plant it, bees will come.

Need Flying Insect Control? Terminix Canada Provides Bee, Wasp & Hornet Removal

Here at Terminix Canada, our technicians understand the importance of bees, wasps and hornets, as well as the dangers they cause in and around your property. Rest assured, we use special insecticidal dust and aerosols to neutralize hives and environmentally-friendly insecticides to make underground wasp nests uninhabitable. Contact us today to make the wasps plaguing you buzz off.

Since bee populations are in danger, we often recommend customers contact local beekeepers to safely rehome bees and their bee hives. However, in cases where bee hives are located in an area that poses a danger to human safety, especially in cases of allergies, we are able to control the threat and safely remove bees from your property. Contact us today and see your flying insect control problems buzz off for good!

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