Wasp frenzy? Why you might be getting stung more this year

Wasps are out in full force, swarming food, stinging unsuspecting victims and turning peaceful garden gatherings into frantic swatting sessions.

As summer winds down and Canadians try to soak up the last warm days with outdoor picnics and barbecues, there’s an unwelcome guest that seems to be everywhere: wasps.

These buzzing insects are out in full force, swarming food, stinging unsuspecting victims and turning peaceful garden gatherings into frantic swatting sessions. This surge in wasp activity, a common late-summer phenomenon, may leave some wondering why these critters are particularly aggressive right now and what, if anything, can be done to keep them at bay.

“This does happen at the end of every season, when the wasps’ nests are at their peak,” explained Nathaniel Heppell, owner of Ace Humane Wildlife Removal and Pest Control in Oakville, Ont.

“But they’ve been fairly sizable this year. I’ve been quite surprised with the mass population inside some of these colonies. That’s something significant that was different from last year. The population in these colonies is greater than I’m used to seeing,” he told Global News.

Wasps become more aggressive in late summer and early fall because their colony dynamics change significantly, Heppell said. The wasps most often seen buzzing around food during this time are yellow jackets, which are currently causing the most trouble for people.

Several thousand people are stung by these venomous insects each year, according to Health Canada. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions to the venom can be fatal. The agency advises seeking immediate medical attention if a sting causes unusual swelling, itching, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Despite being a nuisance, wasps are also beneficial in many ways. Worker wasps catch insects like flies and caterpillars to feed their developing larvae, helping to control pest populations. They also act as pollinators when they visit flowers for nectar.

And it’s perfectly normal for them to be extra pesky at this time of year, Heppell said.