It sure seems like wasps in Minnesota are more aggressive this time of year, and thanks to the milder winter we had there also seems to be more of them. Here are some reasons why the wasps are more aggressive this time of year, and some ways to keep you and your family safe while still enjoying the outdoors.

It seems like this is the time each year when Minnesotans have to grab that can of Raid to get rid of wasps forming hives in the eaves and corners of their homes. Most people that I've talked to recently when I've asked about wasps, they've all said the same thing. "They are MEAN this year!" Well, there is a reason for that.

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Ecolab put out their pest forecast in May, and they were right in guessing we'd see more "yellowjackets, bald-faced hornets, and paper wasps, and baldfaced hornets" due to the milder winter we had, and low snow cover for much of the winter, allowing more queens to survive, which in turn means more of the mean insects. But why are they so aggressive this time of year?

According to ateasepest.com:

As insects sense that cooler weather is coming, they are also likely to start searching for more developed structures for nesting, especially in and around our homes and outdoor buildings. Nesting insects also become much more defensive of their nests during this time of year following the birth of the current year's brood. As the newly born insects, including the queens which are necessary for establishing new colonies in the coming year, they are highly sensitive to intrusions on their nests. They will respond aggressively to even accidental disturbances, which is the case most often when it comes to people.

So it's more survival than anything else for the pesky and aggressive bug.

How can you protect yourself and your family if you are dealing with wasps or hornets?

Experts recommend spraying a nest with hornet/wasp killer, then soaking it in water before sealing it up in a garbage bag and then throwing it away. The best time to target the nest would be when most of the insects are coming back to the hive in the evening hours, allowing the spray to work overnight, and then handle the nest when you know it's safe to do so.

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Source: You Aren’t Imagining Things The Wasps Are Extra Aggressive Right Now

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