Wasps might look small, but when they start flying around your home or yard, they can quickly cause big problems. These buzzing insects are always looking for something to eat, something to drink, and somewhere to live. According to a Sammamish wasp control company, understanding these habits is the first step in keeping wasps away from your space. The more you know about their behavior, the easier it is to protect your home and family.
What Do Wasps Eat?
Wasps eat a mix of things, mostly sweet stuff and protein. That’s why they show up at outdoor picnics, near your trash, or around fruit trees.
Outside the House:
- Wasps love nectar from flowers, tree sap, and even rotting fruit.
- They hunt bugs like caterpillars and spiders, which makes them helpful in some gardens.
- They also visit compost piles and garbage bins looking for food scraps.
Inside the House:
- Wasps don’t usually come in just to find food. They often sneak inside by mistake.
- Once inside, they’ll go for sugary things like soda, juice, syrup, or fruit.
- Wet pet food or meat can also attract them if left out too long.
How to Keep Wasps from Eating in Your Space:
- Pick up fallen fruit in the yard.
- Keep trash bins closed tight.
- Don’t leave sugary drinks or snacks outside for too long.
- Store pet food in sealed containers and clean up after your pets.
What Do Wasps Drink?
Wasps need water to survive, just like people. They also love sweet liquids, especially in warm weather.
Outside:
- Wasps drink from puddles, birdbaths, and dripping garden hoses.
- They also enjoy tree sap and a sticky liquid called honeydew, made by other bugs.
Inside:
- Wasps may drink from pet bowls, leaking faucets, or spills on the floor or counter.
- Sweet drinks left open in the kitchen or outside can attract them quickly.
Tips to Stop Wasps from Drinking Nearby:
- Fix any leaky faucets or hoses.
- Clean up sticky spills right away.
- Keep outdoor drinks covered.
- Change water in bird baths regularly to keep wasps away.
Where Do Wasps Build Their Homes?
Wasps need a safe, quiet place to build their nests. That’s usually somewhere high up and dry.
Common Places Outside:
- Under eaves, decks, and porch roofs.
- In trees, shrubs, and bushes.
- Inside hollow logs, old sheds, or even in the ground.
Inside Your Home:
- Sometimes they build nests in attics, crawl spaces, or inside walls.
- Wasps may enter through tiny cracks or holes near windows, doors, or vents.
Types of Wasps You May See:
- Paper Wasps: Build small paper-like nests and are less aggressive.
- Yellow Jackets: Build big nests and can be more aggressive, especially in fall.
- Mud Daubers: Solitary wasps that build mud nests. They’re less likely to sting.
What You Can Do:
- Seal up cracks and holes in walls and windows.
- Use mesh on attic vents and under decks.
- Knock down small nests early in the morning or evening when wasps are sleepy.
- Use wasp spray only when it’s safe and necessary.
Wasp Behavior Through the Seasons
Understanding when and why wasps show up can help you prepare.
- Spring: Queen wasps wake up and build new nests.
- Summer: The colony grows fast, and wasps look for more food and water.
- Late Summer/Fall: Wasps get more aggressive. They’re protecting the nest and searching for sugar to feed new queens.
- Winter: Most wasps die, except new queens who find shelter to hibernate.
In the fall, you might see large groups of wasps flying around high spots like roof peaks or chimneys. This is mating season. The males are trying to attract females before the cold weather hits.
How to Control Wasps Around Your Home
While you can’t stop all wasps from flying by, you can make your home less inviting:
- Keep food and drinks sealed.
- Take down nests early before they grow big.
- Fix water leaks and cover pet bowls.
- Use wasp-repelling plants like mint or basil in your garden.
- Seal up cracks and close off small holes they could use to enter your home.
If you find a big nest or a nest inside your house, it’s a good idea to call a pest control expert. Wasps can sting more than once, and it’s safer to let a pro handle the removal.
Final Thoughts
Wasps may be helpful in nature, but they don’t belong inside your home or too close to your family. By understanding what they eat, drink, and where they live, you can take simple steps to keep them away. Stay alert during the warmer months, and take action early if you see signs of a nest. That way, you can enjoy your space, without the stingers.
