Here’s Why Wasps are Worse in the Fall
It’s time again for many New Englanders’ favorite season: fall! Fall in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut means colorful leaves, apple picking, flannel, and pumpkin spice-scented everything. But there’s one tiny, black-and-yellow downside to the autumn season, Yellow Jacket wasps! Many people don’t understand why wasps are worse in the fall, so we’ll give you an explanation.
Wasps are Worse in the Fall? Why?
During the early fall months, you might notice more wasps and yellow jackets hovering around your soda can or garbage bins than you noticed during the summer. How can this be possible, aren’t all pests more active during the warm summer months? Nope! In short, bees seem worse, or more aggressive, during the fall months for two reasons:
- The bee and wasp nest populations grow over the summer, so there are more of these flying pests. Some colonies/nests can reach upwards of 4,000 members by the end of the summer!
- In the fall, yellow jacket and other wasp nests start to die off. As such, they produce fertile females to overwinter in nooks and crannies, such as attics and wall voids. In the spring, these wasps will start new nests. Too survive the winter, the fertilized females search for carbohydrates (e.g. sugar) in the fall so they can “bulk up” and make it through the winter.
You heard that right! Wasps need to ‘carb up’ during the fall so they can survive during the cold winter months (Fun note: this doesnot includehoney bees! The entire honey bee hive survives the winter feeding on…honey!). This means wasps will be extra persistent in their search for fruit, sweets, and other sugary items, like your soda!
What Steps Should You Take to Keep Away the Bees?
Because Yellow Jacket wasps are worse in the fall, you still need to be cautious when spending time outdoors. A lot of people opt for picnics, bonfires and barbecues once the weather cools down, and fall is a popular time for fairs and festivals. If you’ll be spending any time outside, be sure to:
- Keep food and drinks in covered containers
- Drink out of clear containers so you can see the contents
- Avoid wearing excessive fragrances
- Try to avoid wearing light-colored clothing or floral prints.
- Remain calm if you see a wasp or yellow jacket, and don’t swat at it! This can increase your chance of getting stung.
If you have a nest or hive on your property, your best bet may be to call your local pest control professional. It is not recommended to try taking care of a stinging insect infestation on your own. As always, feel free to reach out to Graduate with any pest problems, bee-related or otherwise!
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FAQs
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.
Are bees more likely to sting in the fall? ›
Venomous stinging insects include bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets. Activity of these insects can occur from early spring to late fall, with the most aggressive activity occurring from August until October.
Are bees more aggressive in autumn? ›
Late summer and early fall, bees, especially yellow jackets, and wasps, become very aggressive because their life cycle is coming to an end. There are not enough resources or food for them to survive, especially as the winter approaches.
What month is worse for bees? ›
In short, bees seem worse, or more aggressive, during the fall months for two reasons: The bee and wasp nest populations grow over the summer, so there are more of these flying pests. Some colonies/nests can reach upwards of 4,000 members by the end of the summer!
Why do bees get weird in the fall? ›
Bees and wasps are more active in order to prepare their queen, nests and hives for winter, making them a bit more protective of their hive. This defensive behavior is made worse as local food resources are depleted, and they grow hungry.
Why are bees so bad in October? ›
Bee and wasp nests are mature.
Populations reach their highest numbers by the time autumn arrives, which means more bees and wasps are sent out in search of food for themselves and their queen. So you're seeing these insects more frequently simply because there are more of them and they're on the move.
What happens to bees in October? ›
As the days grow cooler and shorter, a few important things happen: 1. the queen bee stops laying eggs, 2. the 'winter bees' are born, and 3. the male bees, called 'drones', get forcefully kicked out of the hive.
What time of day are bees most aggressive to humans? ›
Bees are usually more aggressive as the sun comes up and temperatures increase. That said, most bees are not aggressive unless they are agitated by someone of something.
What is the best food for bees in the fall? ›
A: In the fall, the bees need thicker sugar syrup that contains less moisture. Bees should be fed sugar syrup with 70% sugar (sucrose) content. This means a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. It is important to ensure fall feed has a higher sugar content, as the bees will be able to ripen it quickly for storage.
Where do bees go in October? ›
Cueing into dropping temperatures and shorter days, the bees tuck away in quiet, secluded spots. Think: under leaves, rotting logs, long forgotten debris piles, or even back in their natal nests.
Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis
Some insect stings can cause a potentially life-threatening allergy known as anaphylaxis . This tends to occur more with honeybees than yellow jackets since their stinging mechanism can remain embedded in the skin and continue to release venom long after the sting.
Why are bees bad in August? ›
During the late summer and early fall, bees and wasps can become even more of a nuisance than in the dead of summer. The air is getting colder, which means these stinging insects are looking for their last meals before the cold of winter sets in.
Why are bees so annoying in the fall? ›
By late summer/early fall, their populations are at their max after growing all summer. So there are simply more of these pests around. They are working hard to protect the queen for the winter and are very protective of their hives. Food availability is on the decline and they are hungry.
Are bee stings worse in the fall? ›
During the fall, some species of stinging insects become more aggressive because they are preparing their queen for the winter, and are more protective near the hive. This aggravated behavior is made worse as natural food sources, such as flowers and insects, are depleted with colder weather, and they grow hungry.
Why are bees aggressive in September? ›
During the early fall, some species are preparing their queen for the winter months to come and become more protective near the hive. They are more aggressive and there are more of them to boot. Many stinging insects also undergo a change in dietary needs, switching from requiring proteins to requiring carbs.
What month are bees most aggressive? ›
Late summer and fall bring about a noticeable change in the behavior of bees and wasps across America, with increased aggression being a common characteristic during this period.
Why are wasps more aggressive in the fall? ›
When the fall months arrive, and the Queen has stopped laying eggs, the larvae no longer provide a food source for the adult wasps, so they often turn to sweets and carbohydrates instead. The lack of food makes for more aggressive and angry wasps, and they likely hang around your yard searching for sugary foods.
What season are bees least active? ›
During the winter months their activity decreases to the point where they are not seen unless on a warm winter day. Understanding bee seasons and the flower preferences of certain bee species could facilitate pollination and assist in both commercial and personal gardening.
Should you feed bees in the fall? ›
A: YES! Feeding your colonies in the fall is critical for helping them survive the winter. Colonies that do not have adequate food stores will starve over winter. A colony needs ample food stores to give them energy to maintain the winter cluster's temperature.
How do you keep bees away from you in the fall? ›
However, there are certain steps you can take to keep bees at a safe distance.
- Avoid planting bees' favorite flowers. ...
- Make sure your home is carpenter bee-proofed. ...
- Be mindful of open containers at outdoor gatherings. ...
- Try insect repellents.
