As summer turns to fall, wasp colonies in and around Montreal are at their largest — and their most food-driven. If you’ve noticed wasps hanging around garbage cans, patios, or outdoor meals more than usual, you’re not imagining it. This is peak wasp season, and it’s also when most stings happen.
Why wasps get more aggressive this time of year
Earlier in the summer, wasps spend most of their energy hunting insects to feed the colony’s larvae. By late summer, the colony stops producing new larvae, so worker wasps lose their usual food source and switch to scavenging — which means they start showing up around sugary drinks, ripe fruit, and garbage. A colony that’s been quietly growing since spring is also at its peak size right now, so there are simply more wasps active at once.
When it’s normal activity vs. a nest you should deal with
- A few wasps drawn to an open garbage can or a sugary drink outdoors — normal late-season behavior
- A steady stream of wasps flying in and out of one specific spot (under eaves, in a shed, around a deck) — a sign of an active nest nearby
- Wasps appearing inside wall voids or attics, or buzzing sounds coming from inside a wall — a nest may have formed inside the structure
- A nest that’s been growing all season and is now the size of a basketball or larger — removal gets more difficult (and more dangerous) the longer it’s left
What safe wasp nest removal looks like
Nests should never be sprayed or knocked down without the right equipment — an aggravated colony can swarm quickly, and late-season nests tend to be their largest and most defensive. Optima Extermination assesses the nest’s location and species before treatment, and every inspection is free when treatment is required, with unlimited follow-up service calls at no extra charge if activity continues.
If you’ve spotted a wasp nest on your property, don’t wait for it to grow through the rest of the season. Optima Extermination offers same-day inspections across Greater Montreal. Book a free inspection or call (514) 458-0805.