What’s the buzz about?

As the summer weather subsides, you may notice more wasps and hornets buzzing around. While these insects benefit ecosystems because they control insect populations, they can become aggressive when their food supply diminishes. Managing their nests can be dangerous, so the City of Vaughan is providing resources on what to do if you see a wasp or hornet nest on public or private property. 

Public property

If you see a nest on public property, you can submit a report through Service Vaughan. City contractors will conduct an inspection once the report is received. If the nest is deemed to be a safety concern to the public, it will be sprayed. Once sprayed, the nest will usually fall within a week – if not, it will eventually fall on its own. The wasps and hornets will leave the nest area once it has been sprayed and will not return. 

If City contractors inspect the nest and it turns out to be a bee’s nest, it will not be sprayed. Bees are a protected species as per the Government of Canada. By law, the spraying of bees is not permitted. 

Private property

For nests on private property, the City recommends hiring a licensed landscape pest exterminator. They are professionally trained to handle and remove nests in a safe and efficient manner. You can also consult with your local garden centre. 

There are measures residents can take to avoid having wasps create a nest on your property:

• Ensure garbage bags are tied up and cans have lids. Also pay attention to recycling bins – if you have discarded juice or pop bottles, wasps are attracted to the sugar in these drinks. 
• Keep waste storage areas clean.
• When eating outdoors, keep food containers closed and drinks covered. In late summer and early fall when food supplies are low, wasps scavenge for sweet-tasting food. 
• Seal any potential entry points, such as window cracks, doorframes and vents. 

Wasps will seize any opportunity for food, so protecting your garbage by keeping it enclosed and the surrounding area clean is important. 

For more information on pollinators, visit vaughan.ca/environment.

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