Wasp season in Lethbridge seeing average numbers, experts say
Wasps and hornets have become a bit of a pain in southern Alberta, especially as the summer winds down.
“This year’s numbers are fairly average with previous years,” said Jessica Deacon-Rogers, program coordinator Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
“So they start out with very few numbers in the spring and throughout the summer their numbers build, build and build,” she said. “So this time of year is when their populations are at a maximum in the colony that they live in and so that's why we're seeing a lot of them at this time of year.”
With a hot August, Deacon-Rogers said that’s resulted in a slight increase of wasps this year.
“We also had a very warm summer and early fall and so often what happens is we start getting those hard, hard frosts and cold, cold weather at the night and they start dying,” Deacon-Rogers said. “So, a lot of the population decreases and because we haven't had a lot of that cool weather yet we still have really high populations of them in all of their colonies.”
Whether out for a stroll, or enjoying a beverage on a patio, wasps seem to be everywhere.
“There have been some patrons that have had to seek shelter inside the restaurants because of the wasps, but we've been fairly fortunate that for the most part we can still use our patio,” said Dawn Lindwall with Telegraph Taphouse.
Lindwall said the wasp activity has increased over the past few weeks, with Telegraph Taphouse only one of many locations in Lethbridge dealing with the pests.
“It was like overnight that they descended upon on us, but it sounds like there's been quite a few places in Lethbridge having similar issues,” Lindwall said.
Don't expect a peaceful, wasp-free picnic anytime soon. Deacon-Rogers said the hornets and yellow-jackets are primarily scavengers, and defensive behaviour increases as the colony populations grow and food is scarce.
She said taking proper precautions can help limit their activity.
“Making sure things like composts have lids on them and that there sealed, making sure your garbage is contained and we don't have a lot of food out,” Deacon-Rogers said.
“They'll basically find whatever food source that they have available, so just watching those areas. If you have food or drinks outside, ensuring you cover them up when you’re not drinking or eating can help to not attract them.”
Wasp season is expected to slow down after Thanksgiving weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.