Late summer in Michigan is prime time for wasps. The warm weather, ripe fruit, and bustling backyards make it easy for these stinging insects to settle in.
If you’re suddenly seeing more yellow jackets, hornets, or paper wasps near your porch or roofline, you’re not alone, and there’s a reason for it.
This article breaks down what attracts wasps to your home and how to keep them away. Whether it’s a few visitors or a full infestation, this guide will help you take the proper steps.
Key Takeaways
- Wasps seek out sweet food, standing water, and sheltered nesting spots.
- Yellow jackets and hornets become more aggressive as they seek food late in the season.
- Eaves, overhangs, and crevices offer ideal places for wasps to build nests.
- Professional pest control helps eliminate existing nests and prevent new ones.
Why Late Summer Brings More Wasp Activity
By August, most wasp colonies are at full size. Early in the season, worker wasps focus on raising larvae and gathering protein-rich foods like caterpillars or aphids. But by late summer, the queen slows down egg production. The colony then shifts its focus from protein to sugar.
That’s when wasps start buzzing around your garbage cans, hummingbird feeders, and backyard cookouts.
If you live in Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids, you’ve probably noticed this seasonal spike and how much more aggressive they can get.
Common Wasps Around Michigan Homes
Not all wasps behave the same way. Understanding the type of wasp helps explain their behavior:
- Yellow jackets: Known for scavenging sweet food and meat, they are often seen around outdoor gatherings.
- Paper wasps: Less aggressive, they build umbrella-shaped nests in eaves and overhangs.
- Hornets: A type of large wasp that builds football-shaped nests in trees, bushes, and building exteriors.
- Mud daubers: Solitary wasps that build nests out of mud, usually not aggressive.
- Solitary wasps: Includes species like cicada killers. Large but not likely to sting unless provoked.
What Attracts Wasps to Your Home?
Wasps are searching for three main things: food, water, and shelter.
1. Food Sources
In late summer, wasps switch to sugary food. Here’s what draws them in:
- Ripe fruit, especially on fruit trees
- Open soda cans and juice boxes
- Barbecue leftovers and meat scraps
- Garbage cans without tight lids
- Aphids, which secrete a sugary substance that wasps love
2. Water Sources
Wasps need water to stay cool and digest food. Standing water, bird baths, leaky spigots, or even pet bowls can attract them.
3. Nesting Sites
Sheltered areas like eaves, overhangs, and crevices are perfect spots for wasps to build nests. If they find a quiet corner of your siding or attic with easy access to the outdoors, they’ll claim it.
How to Spot a Wasp Infestation
A few wasps flying by isn’t always a problem. But if you see these signs, you might have a wasp infestation:
- Frequent wasp sightings around one area
- Visible nests under eaves or inside sheds
- Increased wasp activity near trash bins or compost
- Buzzing sounds coming from the walls or ceilings
Ways to Repel Wasps Naturally
You don’t always need to go straight to wasp spray. Start with these natural ways to keep them away:
- Peppermint oil: Wasps dislike the strong scent. Mix with water in a spray bottle and apply around doors, windows, and porch railings.
- Citronella: This oil is known for repelling stinging insects. Use it in outdoor candles or diffusers.
- Remove water sources and overripe fruit from the yard.
These wasp repellents work best as prevention tools rather than complete solutions for an active nest.
Are Wasp Traps Worth It?
Wasp traps can help reduce numbers, especially around outdoor seating areas. They lure wasps with sugar water or meat and trap them inside.
However, traps won’t eliminate the source of the problem if there’s an active nest. They work best when combined with other strategies.
How to Get Rid of Wasps Around Your Home
If you’ve already found a wasp nest, be careful. Wasp colonies defend their nests fiercely, especially yellow jackets and hornets.
DIY approaches are risky unless the nest is small and easily reachable. Even then, make sure you wear protective clothing and work in the early morning or late evening when wasp activity is low.
If you see a nest in your wall or attic, call a professional.
When to Call the Exterminators
Wasps don’t always leave on their own. And if they’ve built a home on your property once, they could return to the same spots next year.
At Pest Pros of Michigan, we’ve helped homeowners throughout Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids safely remove wasp nests and seal off entry points to keep them from returning.
Our technicians inspect your property, identify the type of wasp, and provide a treatment plan that’s safe for your home and yard.
Final Thoughts
Wasps are part of the ecosystem; they’re also effective pollinators and natural predators of pests like caterpillars and aphids. But when they start showing up around your doors, grills, or attic vents, it’s time to act.
If you’re tired of swatting them away, call in the experts. Pest Pros of Michigan knows how to handle wasp infestations and make your yard enjoyable again.
FAQs
What scent keeps wasps away?
Strong scents like peppermint oil and citronella are natural wasp repellents. Spray them around windows, doors, and outdoor gathering areas to discourage wasps from coming close.
Where do wasps build nests on houses?
They often build in eaves, crevices, sheds, or behind shutters. Some species, like paper wasps, prefer to nest under overhangs or porch ceilings.
How do I keep wasps from coming back?
Seal entry points, remove attractants like exposed food and standing water, and knock down any new nests early before they grow.
