Central North Carolina is home to many stinging insect species, including several kinds of wasps and hornets. Wasps and hornets are continually looking for suitable nesting places with the right climate conditions close to their preferred food sources. While most species are only dangerous when their nests are disturbed, the late summer and early fall seasons are the peak periods for attacks on humans by stinging insects. 

Aggressively defensive wasps and hornets can pose significant health threats to humans. They have smooth stingers and can sting their victims multiple times. These stings can be extremely painful and cause severe allergic reactions in people, and in extreme cases, can cause death.    

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. As the weather cools off, their food supplies begin to dwindle and change. They become more tuned into human food sources, especially sweet foods, and drinks.

• Paper Wasps build nests ranging in size from small to large and are shaped to fit inside a chosen structure. They are very adaptive in building their open-celled nests around tight rooflines and building eaves, inside grills, inside outdoor storage buildings, and other structures that offer shelter.
• Cicada Killer Wasps usually look for cold weather nests that are close to the insects they typically feed on. They tunnel to build their nests and prefer to dig in loose soil. They often appear in and around patios and hardscape yard features when they begin searching for nesting spaces for cold weather.
• European Hornets are large hornets that build their nests inside partially enclosed structures like attics and overhanging roofs. Their winter nests are devoted entirely to protecting the colony’s queens, as only mated queens survive the winter to emerge in spring and build new nests.
• Bald-Faced hornets typically nest in trees and shrubbery to provide adequate shelter for their mated queens through the freezing weather months. They are also large hornets that become much more aggressive defensively when building their cold-weather nests. 

In addition to using appropriate pesticides and elimination techniques, control and exclusion methods must be applied to deter further nesting activity. Containing and avoiding sweet food waste disposal around your property will help to prevent insects from choosing your location as a convenient food source. It is also essential to maintain your landscaping and properly trim plant growth to reduce insect habitat choices. This falls in line with the IPM methods we use.

At Ease Pest Solutions, LLC is a veteran-owned and operated pest control company proudly serving families and businesses throughout Charlotte's metropolitan area and Central North Carolina. We will thoroughly inspect your property and consult with you regarding the types of insects you may have present and the appropriate professional elimination and exclusion techniques that should be used. We provide a full 30-day guarantee for stinging insect nest eliminations to ensure that colonies do not return to your area after initial treatment during the very active late summer and early fall period. We emphasize our complete customer service and satisfaction above all, and we never cease in our efforts to provide the highest quality pest control services available. Contact us today to discuss your pest control needs.