10-19 mm – Yellow and black
Insect – High risk
Wasp
The yellowjacket is an aggressive insect that vigorously defends its nest. A colony can number several thousand individuals. Its stings can cause anaphylactic shock in allergy sufferers.
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
In Quebec, there are some 17 species of yellowjacket, including the common wasp and the German wasp (the most aggressive). Yellow and black, with a pronounced waist. Distinct from the bee (rounder and hairier) and the European hornet (larger). They build round or ovoid paper nests.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
They build their papier-mâché nests in trees, under eaves, in attics, hollow walls or underground. Each nest is abandoned in autumn and never reused. The following spring, a new queen may return to the same site.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
Without intervention, an infestation can double in size in just a few weeks.
§4What to look out for
Signs of infestation
- Active wasps around the house
- Visible paper nest (tree, roof, attic)
- Frequent comings and goings at the same point
- Buzzing in walls or sofites
§5Why act fast
Risks
- Painful stings and severe allergic reactions
- Anaphylaxis possible in sensitive individuals (emergency)
- Very aggressive behavior when the colony is threatened
- A colony can number several thousand individuals in summer.
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Inspect eaves and attics in early spring
- Fill cracks and openings in walls and sofites
- Do not leave food or sugary drinks outdoors
- Act early in the spring when nests are still small
- Call in a professional for established nests
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Home location and assessment.
Preparation
Customized plan – pre-intervention measurements.
Treatment
Locate main and satellite nests, treat with non-repellent baits.
Follow-up
Inspection visit – written guarantee.
§8We answer you
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a wasp and a bee?
The bee is rounder and hairier, less aggressive. The wasp is smooth and slender, with a marked waist and striped abdomen.
Can you destroy a nest yourself?
It’s risky. Act at night with full protection. For large nests, call in a professional.
Do wasps return to the same place?
They never use the same nest, but a new queen may return to the same site the following spring.
React quickly, sleep well.
The longer the infestation lasts, the more expensive it becomes.