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August 25, 2025
Late August in Maine brings warm days, outdoor gatherings, and, unfortunately, more stinging insects. If you’ve noticed wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets buzzing around your yard lately, you’re not imagining it. Summer is winding down, but stinging insects are at their most active—and aggressive—before fall sets in. Understanding why they’re buzzing, where they nest, and how to protect yourself can help keep your family and property safe.
Many Maine homeowners encounter these insects while gardening, cleaning up the yard, or enjoying late-summer cook-outs. With that in mind, now is a great time to brush up on stinging insect behavior so you’re prepared for any encounters.
In this blog post, we will:
- Identify the most common stinging insects in Maine
- Explain why wasps and hornets are more active in August
- Help you understand how stinging insect behavior changes over the seasons
- Identify typical nesting sites and share signs of activity
- Provide you with practical prevention tips
- Tell you how our locally owned and operated pest control company can help
Common Stinging Insects in Maine
Knowing which insects you’re dealing with is the first step toward staying safe. The most common stinging insects in Maine include:
- Yellow Jackets: Small but aggressive, yellow jackets build nests in the ground, wall voids, or under decks. They’re social insects, which means disturbing a nest can lead to multiple stings quickly. Yellow jackets are especially attracted to sugary foods and protein sources, making outdoor picnics or BBQs high-risk zones.
- Paper Wasps: These slender-bodied wasps create open, umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, decks, and porches. They are less aggressive than yellow jackets but will sting if the nest is threatened. Their nests are often easy to spot and have a distinctive paper-like appearance.
- Bald-faced Hornets: Large black-and-white wasps that build football-shaped paper nests in trees or shrubs. Bald-faced hornets are highly territorial and will defend their nest aggressively if approached. These nests can be surprisingly large, housing dozens of workers by late summer.
Why Wasps and Hornets Are More Active in Late Summer
To understand why these insects are more noticeable now, it helps to follow their seasonal lifecycle:
- Spring: Queen wasps and hornets emerge from hibernation and begin building new nests. A few workers appear, and the colony is small.
- Early Summer: The colony grows as the queen lays eggs and more workers emerge. Workers start foraging for nectar, insects, and honeydew to feed the growing nest.
- Late Summer (Now): Nests are at their largest, often housing dozens or hundreds of workers. Each worker spends the day foraging for food, increasing the likelihood of human encounters.
At this point, the number of insects actively flying around is at its peak. Larger nests and more workers mean a higher risk of stings if you accidentally get too close.
Fall Behavior: Why Stings Increase
Even as August turns into September, stinging insects can become more aggressive. Here’s why:
- Nests are practically overflowing: Colonies reach maximum size, and workers compete for food.
- Food sources are running out: Flowers fade and insect populations decline, making sugary human foods highly attractive.
- Backyard gatherings increase encounters: Late summer and early fall are prime times for cook-outs and other outdoor activities, which can draw stinging insects.
Homeowners often report being stung while reaching for a soda, cutting fruit, or cleaning up after a picnic. Understanding that aggression peaks in early fall can help you plan outdoor activities safely.
Signs You Have a Nest on Your Property
Early detection is key to preventing stings. Look for:
- Above-ground nests: These are under eaves, porches, decks, sheds, or trees and shrubs. Paper wasps and bald-faced hornets create visible paper-like nests.
- Underground nests: Yellow jackets often nest in lawns, gardens, or other soil areas. Watch for small holes with frequent insect traffic.
- Increased insect activity: Clusters of wasps flying to and from the same spot may indicate a nest nearby.
- Behavioral changes in the yard: Wasps hovering over garbage, fallen fruit, or compost piles can signal nearby nests.
Tip for homeowners: Check attics, sheds, and rooflines regularly. Late summer nests can grow quickly, and nests near play areas or doorways should be handled carefully.
Safety Tips for Homeowners
Stings can be painful and, in some cases, dangerous. Follow these precautions:
- Avoid DIY removal if the nest is large, close to your home, or in high-traffic areas.
- If you need to be near suspected nest sites, wear protective clothing. Long sleeves, gloves, and hats help reduce the risk of stings.
- Keep outdoor food covered to avoid attracting insects when eating outdoors.
- Educate family members and children to avoid swatting at flying insects, which can provoke stings.
- Know basic first aid for stings: Clean the area with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and monitor for allergic reactions. Seek medical attention if swelling or difficulty breathing occurs.
Professional Stinging Insect Control
Professional removal is the best option when nests are too close for comfort. At Pine State Pest Solutions, we provide:
- Effective nest removal
- Treatments targeting yellow jackets, paper wasps, bald-faced hornets, and other stinging insects
- Preventive services to reduce future infestations
We serve homeowners throughout Maine, including Auburn, Portland, and Augusta, as well as throughout Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Oxford, Sagadahoc, and York counties. Our year-round home pest control plans also protect against wasps, other common insects, and nuisance and potentially harmful rodents.
Check out our plans and pricing below for more information.
*initial start-up fees may apply.
How to Prevent Wasps and Hornets Around Your Home
Even without current nests, you can reduce the chances of attracting stinging insects:
- Seal cracks, gaps, and openings in walls, eaves, and rooflines
- Keep trash cans tightly covered and clean up spills promptly
- Remove fallen fruit, overripe vegetables, and compost that may attract insects
- Prune trees and shrubs to reduce potential nest sites
Regular yard maintenance, especially in late summer and early fall, helps keep stinging insects at bay. You should also consider professional pest control to protect your family from these pests and others, no matter the season.
Contact Pine State for Relief from Stinging Insects
As fall approaches, stinging insects become more aggressive in search of food, increasing the risk of stings. Maine homeowners can protect their families and enjoy the outdoors by recognizing the types of insects, identifying nests early, practicing safety measures, and relying on professional pest control services when necessary.
If you spot a nest near your home or want to prevent stinging insects this season, contact Pine State Pest Solutions for expert, safe, and effective service.
This blog was originally published on August 10, 2023; it has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information.
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