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As temperatures rise across the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, wasps and hornets become increasingly active. What begins as a tiny nest in spring can grow into a massive colony by late summer, creating a serious nuisance—and in some cases, a safety hazard for your family, pets, and visitors.
At Go Green Pest Control, we remove wasp and hornet nests safely and efficiently throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
How Large Can Wasp Nests Get?
Many homeowners are surprised at how quickly a wasp nest can grow.
A nest that starts in April or May with a single queen may contain:
- Several hundred workers by early summer.
- Over 2,000 to 5,000 wasps by late August or September.
- Football-sized or even basketball-sized paper nests in protected locations.
Some exceptionally large nests found in barns, sheds, attics, or covered decks can exceed 50 cm (20 inches) across when conditions are ideal.
The longer a nest remains undisturbed, the larger and more aggressive the colony becomes.
What About Hornets?
In British Columbia, homeowners often refer to large yellowjackets as “hornets.” While true hornets are not established in the Lower Mainland, Bald-faced Hornets are commonly seen. They are actually a large species of yellowjacket that builds impressive enclosed paper nests in trees, shrubs, eaves, and occasionally on buildings.
Their colonies can contain several hundred workers and become highly defensive if disturbed.
Why the Lower Mainland Is Ideal for Wasps
The Lower Mainland provides excellent conditions for wasps because of:
- Mild winters that allow many queens to survive.
- Warm springs that encourage early nest building.
- Long summers that extend colony growth.
- Plenty of food sources including garbage, fruit trees, hummingbird feeders, compost bins, pet food, and outdoor dining areas.
- Numerous sheltered nesting locations around homes.
This combination often results in particularly active wasp seasons.
Common Nesting Locations
Wasps commonly build nests:
- Under decks
- Inside sheds
- Beneath roof eaves
- Inside wall cavities
- In attics
- Around play structures
- In hedges and shrubs
- Underground in abandoned rodent burrows
- Inside fence posts and retaining walls
Many nests remain hidden until the colony has become quite large.
Why Wasps Become More Aggressive in Late Summer
One of the most common questions we receive is why wasps suddenly seem “angry” in August and September.
Late in the season:
- Colonies are at their largest.
- Natural food sources begin to decline.
- Worker wasps aggressively search for sugary foods and protein.
- They become increasingly protective of the nest.
This is why backyard barbecues, patios, parks, and outdoor events often experience increased wasp activity during late summer.
Should You Remove a Wasp Nest Yourself?
Small, visible nests early in the season may appear easy to remove, but disturbing an active colony can provoke hundreds of defensive wasps within seconds.
DIY sprays often fail to eliminate the entire colony, especially when nests are hidden inside walls, attics, underground, or beneath decks.
If anyone in your household has allergies to stings, attempting removal yourself can be particularly dangerous.
Professional treatment helps ensure the colony is eliminated safely while reducing the risk of repeated stings.
Preventing Future Nests
While no property can be completely wasp-proof, you can reduce the chances of attracting colonies by:
- Keeping garbage bins tightly sealed.
- Cleaning up fallen fruit.
- Covering compost bins.
- Sealing openings into sheds and wall voids.
- Inspecting eaves and rooflines each spring.
- Removing small starter nests before they become established.
Regular property inspections can often identify nests before they grow into major infestations.
Call Go Green Pest Control
If you’ve noticed heavy wasp activity around your home or discovered a nest on your property, don’t wait until it grows larger.
Go Green Pest Control provides professional wasp and hornet nest removal throughout the Lower Mainland using safe, effective treatment methods designed to protect your family and property.
Call 778-886-4111 today to schedule an inspection or wasp nest removal service.
The sooner a nest is treated, the safer and easier it is to eliminate.
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