It’s summertime and the livin’s easy… Well that’s not entirely true. This summer has been a continuation of the year (thanks COVID-19), the “new normal” persists, and we strive to find a normalcy despite the fact that everything is altered in some way, shape, or form. One thing about this year that we’ve noticed here at Arrow, is that people, as a result of sticking closer to home, have become more observant of what’s happening in their backyards. Particularly as it relates to insects and rodents. In this post, we’re zeroing in on hornets, paper wasps, yellow jackets, and bumble bees.
Stinging insects in New Jersey are a growing pest problem as we head into late summer and fall
It wasn’t that long ago we were blogging about stinging insect activity increasing in June and here we are with late summer fast approaching and fall right behind it, and the trend continues. In fact, the closer we get to September, homeowners in Clark, Bernardsville, and Scotch Plains as well as in neighborhoods throughout New Jersey are encountering stinging insects more and more often.
Why does it seem like bees, wasps, and hornets are more active in summer and fall?
Every spring, most stinging insects establish nests where the queen keeps busy reproducing. By the time summer arrives, nests have experienced a population explosion and hundreds to thousands of wasps, hornets, and bees are moving about properties. Good news, it’s not that stinging insects are more active but, and here’s the part you may not like, it’s just that there are more of them.
What you need to know about stinging insects in the fall
By the time fall arrives, natural food sources that have sustained the growth of the nest will start to run out. Flowers and other insects are not as abundant as the weather grows colder, leaving stinging insects to seek out alternatives. Unfortunately, this often leads to them becoming more of a problem at BBQs on the deck, picnics on the lawn, and other outdoor events.
Should you treat your property for stinging insects in the fall?
Yes, even though the colder weather will naturally lead to a decrease in these pests, there is a good chance that you or a family member may end up with a sting. That’s because bees, wasps, and other stinging insects in New Jersey will become more aggressive as they get their queen ready for winter. Sort of the reverse of a mama bear and her cubs, stinging insects in an effort to protect their queen and nest, may be set off at the slightest provocation.
What’s more, yard work and house maintenance may put you in the path of these aggressive insects more than it might have in June. Clearing the gutters of leaves, mowing and raking the lawn, and other fall chores are likely to take you closer and closer to nests, whether they’re in an eave of the house or a hole in the ground.
Take the sting away with home pest control service
To avoid bees, wasps, hornets, and other stingers, we recommend implementing a year-round pest control service that includes seasonal visits. A service like our Home Protection Program for instance. An ideal solution if you have a home in Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, or Union County, our HPP is designed to target over 30 pests (including bald-faced hornets, paper wasps, yellow jackets, and bumble bees) and includes three seasonal visits that are focused on the exterior of the house and interior if there’s a problem.
What’s more, our HPP plan is backed by the Arrow Promise- if pests come back between our service visits, we’ll return to treat at no charge to you! Say goodbye to worries about wasp nests and bee stings when you sign up for home pest control today!
Home Protection Program
Service consists of the elimination of your current pest or rodent problem, complemented by both interior and exterior year-round protection of your home, which is inclusive of three seasonal visits. The program covers your entire property including attics, mailboxes, playsets, sheds, and fences.
Pests targeted with Arrow’s Home Protection Plan services include ants (excluding carpenter ants, pharaoh ants and acrobatic), bees, boxelder bugs, carpenter bees, carpet beetles, centipedes, cicada killers, clover mites, crickets, digger bees, earwigs, fabric & paper pests, fleas (inside only), ground beetles, hornets, mice, pillbugs, millipedes, rats, roaches, silverfish, sowbugs, spiders, springtails, stored product pests, and wasps.
*If you have a pool house that requires service, pricing would increase based upon the size of the structure.
