Wasps and Hornets

Wasps can strike terror in the hearts of human beings. Most of us have had experience with a wasp sting as children, and some of us may even have severe allergy to the venom in a wasp sting. The common types of wasp that people should be concerned about are Yellowjackets and hornets. Yellowjackets and hornets have given a bad name to honey bees, and paperwasps. Yellowjackets are aggressive insects, and the worker female have a painful sting. Yellowjackets and hornets are worthy of serious concern. Yellowjackets can be a problem around homes, cottages and other dwellings, and are fairly common in the Muskoka area.

Muskoka Pest Control
Yellowjackets and bees share the same coloration but can be differentiated by the presence of hair. Bees have hairy bodies and wasps are smooth and hairless. Hornets bodies are primarily black with a yellow tail end. Many other insects have adopted the black and yellow colour scheme as protection from predators taking advantage of bee's and wasp's defensive reputations. Therefore, it is important to note that not all black and yellow insects sting.
Yellowjacket and paper wasp nests can be differentiated by the outer structure of the nest. Paper wasp nests are not protected by an outer paper cover, unlike yellowjacket nests which are enclosed by papery material. Yellowjackets live a social hive situation similar to honey bees. There may be 5000 wasps per nest. The nests are paper and may be underground, in a tree or a building overhang.
There is an overwintering queen, who, in the spring selects a nesting site. She constructs a small nest and lays a few eggs. The eggs hatch, go through a larval stage, mature and begin to tend the queen much in the same way as worker bees tend their queen. These "worker" wasps are female and the main source of concern: they are the stingers. The worker wasps expand the nest and hunt other insects to feed the developing larva and queen. The workers are known to steal small bits of meat from picnic tables.

In the fall the queen will leave the nest and search out an over wintering site, typically a crack in tree bark. The worker wasps also leave the nest, but they do not over winter and eventually die.
It is important to note that some people are very allergic to wasp stings. If someone is stung and has a severe reaction, medical attention should be sought immediately!
Helpful Hints
- Avoidance is the best protection. Stay away from active hives and be careful around hollow tree trunks or dry structures where the insects prefer to make their nests. Some species such as Yellow Jackets, may construct their nests in dense shrubs or in the ground. Restrain children from throwing rocks or spraying nests with water. Avoid creating loud noises and disturbance near the nest.
- Stay calm. When a wasp or hornet is near you, slowly raise your hands to protect your face, remaining calm and stationary for a while and then move very slowly away. Never swing, strike, or run rapidly away since quick movement often provokes attack and painful stings.
- Do not use heavily-scented products. When outdoors, avoid the use of heavily-scented soaps, shampoos, perfumes, colognes, after-shaves, and cosmetics.
- Dress appropriately. Avoid shiny buckles and jewellery. Cover exposed skin and wear gray, white, or tan rather than bright colours.
- Leave the insects alone. In the garden, bees and wasps are attracted to many flowers. Leave them in peace and they will move from flower to flower and eventually, out of your space.

Wood Roaches

Wood cockroaches, also known as wood roaches, are common outdoor dwelling insects native to North America and found throughout Ontario. Their normal habitat is moist woodland areas but they frequently become a household nuisance because they wander into or are carried into houses as "accidental invaders."
Wood cockroaches, which can grow up to one and one-quarter inches long, prefer to eat decaying organic matter and are attracted to light, whereas most roaches run from light. Females deposit their egg capsules outdoors under old logs, stumps and firewood. There is one generation of Wood cockroaches per year.

Muskoka Pest Control
Wood roaches are very similar in appearance to the common household cockroach called the American roach; flat, oval body, long antennae, spiny legs, chestnut brown color. However, wood roaches are slightly smaller, about 3/4 to 1 1/4 inch long, and the adults, especially the males, appear tan because of the color of their wings. Adults and large nymphs of the wood roach can be recognized by a pale, creamy white or transparent stripe on the outer edge on the thorax. The pale edge extends onto the first 1/3 of the front wings of the adults.

Wood roaches that have wandered into the house usually behave differently than the household roaches. Wood roaches are not secretive; they are active both during the day and at night and they are less likely to scamper out of sight when approached. Also, they will wander about the house without congregating in any particular location.
Wood roaches do not thrive and reproduce in homes because they require the consistently moist environment of their natural habitats such as under wood piles or loose bark and in decaying logs. Indoors, their presence is strictly a temporary annoyance. They do not harm the house structure, furnishings or occupants.
Although complete eradication is not possible, These pest can be controlled or significantly reduced by yearly treatments combined with habitat modification.
Helpful Hints
A few steps that can be taken by homeowners to reduce the potential of Wood Roach problems;
- They often fly to outdoor lights at night, especially during May and June. They may enter homes via cracks through which light is visible at night
- Make sure that all windows and doors have tight-fitting screens and that exterior vents and louvers are covered with screen
- Wood roaches often inhabit firewood piles and may hitch a ride indoors on the logs. Be sure to carefully inspect each log before bringing it indoors. Store firewood away from the home or cottage
- Seal gaps around doors and windows and repair foundation cracks
- Seek Professional assistance and a Pest Prevention Plan