Tap to call 231-264-6060

Tag Archives: wasp

Top 5 Destinations for Spring Break Pests

As spring breakers flock eagerly to the Sunshine State, another swarm gets ready to descend upon us all…pests! As the weather warms up, the bugs start coming back in full force. As Michiganders, it’s unlikely that we know what kinds of pests to expect in a different state. Pests are often an afterthought when packing for a vacation. But, as always, knowledge is power, so the more you know, the better!

What kind of bugs can you expect during springtime in Florida? Icky palmetto bugs, mosquitos, stinging insects, and more are all ready to join the party. Don’t let that stop you from your plans though.

Palmetto bug on rock

Here are the top 5 destinations you might find these spring break pests lurking.

1. Kitchens and bathrooms

The cooler weather of the Floridian winter was a nice break, especially when it came to being free of encounters of the bug kind. Palmetto bugs and roaches are back on the scene though, and your kitchen and bathroom are their favorite place to throw down. In search of moist conditions and food, they might mistake your screams for the kind of reveling partiers.

2. Anywhere there’s wood

Spring is a time for termites too, and Florida is rather prone to them. Anywhere you have exposed wood, watch for any termite damage. 

3. Your lawn

There’s something so glorious about having a nice, green lawn in Florida. Until the chinch bugs come for a spring break party, leaving dead grass patches in their wake. 

4. In your home

Did someone say, “Party?” If it’s a spring break party with Florida carpenter ants, we’ll be there. And we’ll bring plenty of refreshments to ensure these spring breakers get back out of town. They love wood damaged by termites. Chances are if you’ve got a termite party, these guys have probably turned up too.

5. Buzzing around your yard

There are two types of spring break pests that come to call at this time of year – mosquitos and other stinging insects like wasps, bees, and yellow jackets. It was so peaceful in your yard just weeks ago, but now you can’t enjoy your coffee without hearing buzzing in your ear, or worse, being chased back indoors by one of the more aggressive varieties. 

No matter where you travel, pests are to be expected. Whether they are different or the same as those we have in our home states, knowing how to avoid potential run-ins with these pests will make all the difference!

Autumn Stings

It’s officially fall, which means Michigan’s woods and fields are buzzing with stinging insects fueling up for winter; and some of them are grumpy.

Yellowjackets are especially not in the mood to be trifled with as they can be really intolerant this time of the year. As things begin to wind down in the fall, they can become aggressive.We receive numerous calls each fall season with homeowners claiming to have a nest somewhere on their property Homeowners will notice singleton bees and wasps hanging out around their doors, windows, and soffits; they searching for any crevice to squeeze into.  Yellowjackets often nest in the ground in colonies that can reach 4,000 to 5,000 workers. The entrance holes they are searching for might’ve been there since spring— but autumn is when the colony reaches its largest and when the insects become feisty. One reason is the last hatch consists of next year’s queens, which are the future of the colony.

Encounters

Swat a stinging insect and you might trigger and even more threatening response: Like a honeybee, a dying yellowjacket releases a pheromone that alerts the nest. Meddling or even stepping in the wrong place can trigger a full-on attack with the wasps swarming and pursuing.

Humans are most likely to encounter stinging insects as they look for food. Their diet somewhat changes. Throughout the summer wasps are predators, feeding on other insects. In the fall they develop somewhat of a sweet tooth. Fermenting fruit, colas, ciders, fruit juice, become more attractive to the wasps. Because of this, they tend to linger about orchards, cider mills, picnic areas, outdoor restaurant seating, and barbecues— all popular fall hangouts for Michigan residents.

Similar to mosquito bites, wasp stings contain a protein that can cause itching. They can and will sting multiple times, along with hornets. Both wasp and hornet stings can be painful and swell for up to 24 hours as they inject venom into their victims.

Honeybees, on the other hand, have a barbed stinger and can only sting once, as they die after stinging. The stinger remains in the victim’s skin until someone removes it. You can easily scrape it out with a fingernail or with a credit card.

Overall, avoiding these insects in any season is the best method to prevent stings. Knowing the correct precautions to take not only keeps your fall season safe but above all, fun!

For more information on how to distinguish stinging insects from one another, be sure to check this out!

Here are some examples of nests to avoid:

Stinging insectsstinging insectsstinging insectsstinging insects

Miller, Korin. “Is That Stinging Insect a Bee, Wasp, or Hornet? Here’s Exactly How to Tell.” Prevention. 18 May 2020, www.prevention.com/life/a32389815/bee-vs-wasp-vs-hornet-difference/.